Assemblyman Ed Ra (R,C,I-Franklin Square) recently held an award ceremony at the Garden City Public Library for outstanding participants in his scholastic civics competition, “There Ought To Be a Law.” Students from seven area schools were asked to detail their ideas for legislation that could make a difference in the lives of New Yorkers. Ra honored 30 semi-finalists with Assembly Citations and provided contest winner Will Brennan with a plaque.

Brennan’s proposal would implement a mandatory organ donation education program for all students in grades six through twelve. Organ donation advocate Karen Cummings from LiveOnNY was on hand to support Brennan.

“I want to sincerely thank all of these dedicated, creative students for participating in our program. We want students to think critically about the kind of world they want to live in. We want them to be engaged, and we want them to see government and civic affairs as a way they can shape their community for the better. Special congratulations are in order to Will Brennan. I may ask him if he’ll let me carry his organ donation legislation, assuming he is going to finish middle school before he runs for the Assembly,” said Ra.

The list of semi-finalists by school includes:

Hebrew Academy of Nassau County
Kayla Brukner
T.J. Serber

Manor Oaks
Francesca Curatolo
Meera Lal
Lukas Rinaldi
Angela Vlavianos

Mineola Middle School
Emily Souza Antunes
Luca Bernardes
Mary Bonet
Daniela Casey
Madeleine Christianson
Dylan Couture
Sydney Grimm
Noemia Livorno
Chloe Patalano
Julianna Reilly

St. Anne's School
Gianna Giambone
Andrew Pesek

Stratford Avenue School
Will Brennan
Brianna Ciccone
Michael Ferrari
Gianluca Ingrassia
Shea McGovern
Michaela Molgano

Washington Street School
Casey Govaert
Iffat Naqvi
Thomas Sanchez
Alexander Rivera

Notre Dame
Shea Flannelly
Paolina Krastev