Riverhead Student-Athlete Wins NIAAA New York State Essay Contest

Senior Cross Country and Track Star Emma Ellis Moves on to Regional Competition

RIVERHEAD, NEW YORK (MARCH 2023) — Riverhead High School senior student-athlete Emma Ellis recently won both the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) Section XI essay contest and the NIAAA New York State essay contest. She will now compete in the Northeast regional contest as New York’s female representative. If she wins, she will move onto the national level for the NIAAA Student Athlete Scholarship.

“This is an incredibly prestigious honor,” said Riverhead Central School District Superintendent Dr. Augustine E. Tornatore. “This accomplishment truly speaks to Emma’s academic and athletic success, and the entire District and Riverhead community are so proud of her.”

According to the NIAAA, its scholarship program recognizes the “distinguished scholastic, leadership and sportsmanship attributes of high school student-athletes.” In addition to her incredible academic success, essay and leadership abilities, Emma displays her amazing athletic abilities on the school’s cross country and track teams, with special prowess as a pole vaulter.

The Northeast regional winners will be announced in May. The Riverhead Central School District and Riverhead community wish Emma the best of luck!

Riverhead High School senior Emma Ellis moves onto the regional contest after winning the NIAAA Section XI and New York State essay contests