Senate Resolution No. 1035 BY: Senator MARTINS COMMENDING Kevin Zhu upon the occasion of being named a 2023 United States Presidential Scholar WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor the achievements of its young citizens and leaders of tomorrow, whose character and accomplishments exemplify the ideals and values cherished by this great State and Nation; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Kevin Zhu upon the occasion of being named a 2023 United States Presidential Scholar; and WHEREAS, The United States Presidential Scholar program has honored more than 8,000 of the Nation's top students since its inception in 1964; of the 3.7 million students expected to graduate high school this year, only about 5,000 students qualified for this honor; and WHEREAS, Kevin Zhu, a student at Jericho High School, was recognized as a Presidential Scholar, one of the Nation's highest honors for high school students; and WHEREAS, A finalist in the Nation's most prestigious and well-known science competition, the Regeneron Science Talent Search, Kevin Zhu earned a prize of $25,000 for reaching the finals; and WHEREAS, Winning several awards for his talents as a musician and pianist, Kevin Zhu is a student at The Julliard School's pre-college music program; and WHEREAS, Exuding his creative abilities, Kevin Zhu is a published author who has been named a Scholastic National Student Poet semifinalist; and WHEREAS, Kevin Zhu is a multi-talented individual; he participates in sports as co-captain of the Jericho Varsity Tennis Team and also plays on the volleyball team; and WHEREAS, Academically, Kevin Zhu has distinguished himself as a young man of superlative ability, talent, and maturity, establishing standards of excellence and achievement, purposefulness of life, and responsibility rarely achieved in youthful years; and WHEREAS, As a testament to his work ethic and academic abilities, Kevin Zhu has won several academic awards and plans to attend Stanford University; and WHEREAS, Kevin Zhu was one of just 161 seniors across the country to be recognized with this esteemed honor for his outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship and service as well as contribution to his school and community; and WHEREAS, An outstanding role model for his classmates, Kevin Zhu has truly brought honor to his family, school, and community; and WHEREAS, Kevin Zhu may stand with pride in his achievements, experiencing the satisfaction of his labors and the joy of his accomplishments, eager to face the challenge of new experiences as he continues his education; and WHEREAS, Kevin Zhu represents the potential inherent in our most precious resource, our youth; this Legislative Body is pleased to honor this young man, recognizing his achievements and the promise of his future; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Kevin Zhu upon the occasion of being named a 2023 United States Presidential Scholar; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Kevin Zhu.