Sayville's
Kylie Person and Long Beach's
Troy Defrancesco are the winners of this year's News 12 Long Island Bob Wolff Memorial Scholarships. They each received $2,000 in addition to the $1,000 they were awarded for being selected at News12 scholar athletes during the school year.
News 12's Kevin Maher surprised Kylie and Troy at their homes with big checks bearing their name and balloons.
"I was not expecting this at all," said Kylie. Her family told her she was going out to lunch with some family friends, until Kevin rang her doorbell.
Kylie was honored for her 98 GPA and for being an all-state tennis player and softball player. She was also the first Sayville student to ever be nominated by the NY State Science Congress. She developed a project that used seaweed pulled from Long Island bays to create biodegradable six-pack rings. She also created the Sayville Sports Swap, a program that collects and donates used sporting goods to kids in the area.
"It gave me purpose. It showed me the world is bigger than myself and I can make a difference. No matter how small or big something seems, it can often turn into something so much greater," said Kylie about getting involved in so many things at school.
Troy was the Long Beach High School valedictorian with a 99 GPA.
"I got passionate about school because I realized if I'm going to be here for four years, I might as well make it fun," said Troy.
He did just that by being captain of the volleyball team, an all-league baseball player, president of the Key Club and a jazz band drummer. He was also a youth baseball coach and competed on the surfing team. He still found time to volunteer for a nonprofit that tutors kids for the SAT.
Troy was thrilled to get another award from News 12. "This is $3,000 now. I mean it's amazing!" he said.
Kylie will attend the University of Notre Dame. Troy will attend Princeton University.