Schumer Selects Staten Island Student For Once-In-A-Life-Time Expedition To Antarctica
March of the Staten Islander; Timmy Koeth, a Staten Island Tech Student, Will Join Students on Ice on their Annual Two-Week Antarctica Expedition this December
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced the selection of Timmy Koeth of Staten Island Technical High School to attend the Students on Ice Antarctica Expedition 2006. The program, which sends high school students, teachers and scientists from around the world to study for two weeks in Antarctica, requested that Senator Schumer assist in choosing a stellar student from Staten Island to attend the program. Passionate in studying math and physics and the Captain of his varsity swimming team, Timmy met the criteria Senator Schumer was looking for in a Staten Island representative.
Timmy has proven himself a hardworking and inquisitive student, earning the right to participate in this onceinalifetime adventure, said Schumer. Its a long way from Staten Island to Antarctica, and I look forward to Timmy returning home with extraordinary tales of seals, sharks, whales and glaciers that he can share with his fellow Staten Islanders.
Im most excited about meeting new people in the program, and, of course, seeing the wildlife, especially the penguins, said Timmy. Im planning on taking a lot of pictures and taking a video diary to record what I did.
Since 2002, Students on Ice has sought Schumers assistance in selecting a student from Staten Island to join the annual Antarctica Expedition. Students on Ice is an awardwinning organization that offers high school students, teachers and scientists from around the world an inspirational and educational opportunity to travel to the Arctic and the Antarctic for the purpose of encouraging a deeper understanding and respect for the planet. The Antarctic is one of the least understood and least traveled parts of the globe, Schumer commented.
At Staten Island Technical High School, Timmy spends his days diligently pouring over his math and physics studies while leading Techs mighty Sea Gulls varsity swimming team to victory. Inspired by his parents and supported by Staten Islands closeknit community, Timmy is currently considering a career in engineering. He also dabbles in the arts, performing in last years school play production, Chorus Line, which received rave reviews.
One of the major benefactors of Students on Ice is philanthropist Harry Snyder. Mr. Snyder first traveled to Antarctica with Geoff Green, Director of Students on Ice. Mr. Snyder was profoundly moved by the experience according to Mr. Green, and wanted to open this opportunity to nonprivileged students in New York City. Since 2002, Mr. Snyder has put up the funding to allow 17 nonprivileged students to travel to Antarctica with Students on Ice, sending two students in 2002 and five each following year, one from each of the citys boroughs. Each year since 2002, in addition to Senator Schumer selecting a student from Staten Island, Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez (DNY) has selected a student from Brooklyn, Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carri�n, Jr. has selected a student from the Bronx, and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (DNY) has selected students from Manhattan and Queens.
Tonight, Students on Ice will hold a dinner at the Explorers Club in honor of the five students from New York City selected to participate in the Antarctica Expedition. Each student will have a chance to speak about the upcoming trip, as will Mr. Snyder and Mr. Green. The students parents, teachers, and principals will attend the event as well.
The Principle and VicePrinciple at Staten Island Technical High School assisted Senator Schumer in identifying the student for this years expedition. Also lending a hand was Staten Island Tech graduate Mike Cassidy, a former intern in Senator Schumer's New York City office. In between his grueling cross country running training sessions at University of Pennsylvania, Cassidy acted as liaison between the Senators office and Staten Island Tech.
Senator Schumer advised Timmy and the other students traveling to Antarctica, saying, Bundle up, explore, shuffle your happy feat on the glaciers, and remember the time difference when calling home.
