News Release

HSBC Awards 150 NYS Teens Gateway Computers in Statewide Essay Contest

2 February 2001

HSBC Bank USA has announced the winners of its statewide essay contest. As part of the banks 150th anniversary, students ages 13-18 were asked to describe in 250 words or less the New York State resident they feel has made the biggest difference over the past 150 years.

Nearly 2300 entries were received from teens across New York State. The 150 winners (list attached) will receive a Gateway Intel Pentium III processor, mid-tower case, 64 MB RAM, 56k fax modem, ethernet card, sound card with speakers, 15 color monitor, color inkjet printer, Microsoft Windows ME and Microsoft Office 200 Small Business.
 
Angela Baj and Nga Tran receive their computers from branch manager
Maureen Folan in Buffalo.
 

"Because of HSBC's commitment to education here in the U.S. and around the world, we thought that an essay contest would be an ideal way for us to involve students in the celebration of our 150th anniversary," said Youssef A Nasr, president and CEO of HSBC Bank USA. "We are delighted with the response that we received and pleased to be distributing computers to so many deserving students across New York State." Beginning in February, winning essays were featured on HSBC Bank USA's Web site through mid-March.

The Top 10 nominees statewide: (Regional Top 10 Lists below.)

Franklin D. Roosevelt
Susan B. Anthony
Kodak founder George Eastman
Theodore Roosevelt
John D. Rockefeller
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Eleanor Roosevelt
Jonas Salk
Monsignor Nelson Baker (currently under consideration for sainthood)
NYC Mayor Rudolph Giuliani

Most Original
Of the winners, there were several extremely creative entries. While many students wrote entries on Elizabeth Cady Stanton, only one wrote hers as a congratulatory letter from the early feminist to newly elected Senator Hillary Clinton. One student nominated poet Langston Hughes in his essay composed as a Hughes-style poem. Three of E.B. Whites characters discussed his qualifications for the honor in an essay from another student. And one student nominated Jesus. How is He a New York State resident? "He lives in me, and I live in New York State."

Touching Stories
It was clear that the notion of who has made the biggest difference is a matter of perspective and some interpreted it quite personally. Many students nominated their parents, grandparents or teachers. A sister and brother from Elmira nominated their mother, a community volunteer who was hit by a car and killed while helping an accident victim. A boy who had spent months in the hospital chose his physical therapist.

Interesting Tidbits
NYC Mayor Rudolph Giuliani was the only living person in the Top Ten. Unfortunately, many of the students who nominated the New York City Mayor misspelled his name and were therefore, disqualified.

Essays of note include the student who credited Babe Ruth with breaking baseballs color barrier and Hillary Clinton for her recent election as NYS Governor. Joey Fatone of *NSYNC got two votes as did "Today Show" weatherman Al Roker. Sarah Michelle Gellar ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer") and Cyndi Lauper were also cited. In addition to Lucille Ball, other comedians nominated include the Marx Brothers, the Three Stooges, Jerry Seinfeld, and Adam Sandler. 

The ultimate New York response may have come from the student who nominated Nathan of Nathans Hot Dogs, explaining No matter how bad a day you're having, if you have a juicy hot dog, you feel better.

Finally, since the contest did not specify positive or negative impact, two students chose Son of Sam David Berkowitz. And Brooklyn native Michael Jordan got several votes. How has he impacted NY? Wrote one student: He always found a way to beat the Knicks.

Top Ten Nominees (by region):

Buffalo/Niagara

Father Nelson Baker
Franklin D. Roosevelt
George Eastman
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Susan B. Anthony
Theodore Roosevelt
Lucille Ball
Jonas Salk
Wilson Greatbatch
De Witt Clinton

Central/Capital

Franklin D. Roosevelt
Susan B Anthony
George Eastman
Eleanor Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
John D. Rockefeller
William Seward
Rudolph Giuliani
Daniel Patrick Moynihan
 
Metro New York

Franklin D. Roosevelt
Robert Moses
Rudolph Giuliani
Fiorella LaGuardia
John D. Rockefeller
Theodore Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Jonas Salk
Daniel Patrick Moynihan
 
Rochester

Susan B. Anthony
George Eastman
Franklin D. Roosevelt
John D. Rockefeller
Jonas Salk
Rosie ODonnell
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Theodore Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt
Clara Barton
 

Essay Contest Winners Official List
February 2001
(Name, Town, School, Grade Level)

Buffalo / Niagra (31)

Jessica Albright, Wilson, Wilson Central H.S., 11
Kofi Ampadu, Buffalo, Hutch Tech, 12
Aniela Baj, Buffalo, Villa Maria Academy, 11
Steven Behrens, North Tonawanda,  North Tonawanda H.S., 10
Yvonne Bridges, Buffalo, Riverside, 11
Tom DiChristopher,  Angola,  St. Francis of Assisi, 12
Joshua Dimmig-Russell, Tonawanda,  Benjamin Franklin, 8
Emily Gorski,  West Seneca, West Seneca W Middle, 8
Lindsay Anne Hathaway, Clarence, Clarence Cent H.S. 10
Maribeth Head, Grand Island, Niagara University, Fr
Brian Kaiser, Medina, Clifford Wise Middle, 8
Levelt King, Amherst, OSP North, 12
Aaron Krolikowski, Glenwood, Springville-Griffith, 8
Nate Makin,  Williamsville, Williamsville South, 9
Tara Mastrolembo, Lewiston, Niagara Wheatfield, 2
Aubrey McCoy, Clarence Center, Clarence, 12
Meghan McKenna, Williamsville, SUNY Geneseo, Fr
Stephanie Metz, Batavia, Notre Dame High School, 12
Nathan Odden, Hamburg, Hamburg Middle School, 7
Michael K. Rozyczko, Niagara Falls, St. Peter's Lutheran, 8
Mubarek Said, Buffalo, St. Joes Collegiate Inst., 12
Adam Sima, Amherst, Cardinal O'Hara High School, 12
Keith Sniatecki, Depew, Depew High School, 9
Sujata Sofat, Williamsville, Williamsville East, 12
Emily Sullivan, Buffalo, City Honors, 8
Elizabeth Terragnoli, Williamsville, Williamsville East, 12
Nga Tran, Buffalo, Villa Maria Academy, 11
Stephanie Vroman, Amherst, Sweet Home High School, 11
Shawnte A. Wilson, Buffalo, City Honors, 8
Denise Ann Wolff, Cheektowaga, Maryvale High School,12
Rebecca Wolski, East Aurora, Iroquois Middle School, 8

Rochester / Finger Lakes(38)

Michael Benedict, Caledonia, Caledonia-Mumford, 9
Sara Berg, Candor, Candor Central, 8
John Cinteneo, Honeoye Falls, Honeoye Falls Lima H.S., 8
Sarah Clausell, Binghamton, Binghamton H.S., 10
Allison Therese Collins, Binghamton, Chenango Forks H.S., 12
Kathryn Coniglio, Penfield, Mercy High School,11
Kimberly Conrow, Rochester, East High School 12
Ashley Dermody, Rochester, Cosgrove Middle 
Meghan Dick, Fairport, Fairport High School, 10
Malina DiPasquale, Webster, Thomas Middle, 8
Tim Duffy, Fairport, Fairport High School, 10
Alex Gellert, Rochester, Bishop Kearney H.S., 9
Mike Giannotti, Rochester, Greece Athena, 12
David Glenwright, Webster, Thomas Middle, 8
Rachel Gootnick, Fairport, Johanna Perrin M.S., 8
Hakim Griffin, Binghamton, Binghamton Central, 11
Abigail Hammond, Cortland, Cortland Junior/Senior H.S.l, 10
Amy Henderson, Fairport, Minerva Deland, 9
Caitlin Karg, Fairport, Fairport High School, 10
Christopher Korokeyi, Fairport, Fairport High School, 12
Trenton T. Loughlin, Montour Falls, Odessa-Montour Jr.H.S., 8
Angela Martino, Binghamton, West Middle School, 8
John Mattimore, Binghamton, West Middle School, 8
Martha McCahill, Pittsford, Our Lady of Mercy H.S., 11
Kasey Miller, Caledonia, Caledonia Mumford, 11
Rachel Nickoloff, Fairport, Minerva Deland, 9
Jessica Pack, Elmira, Southside High School, 12
Robin L. Peace, Johnson City, Johnson City High School, 9
Deepa Premnath, Rochester, Our Lady of Mercy, 12
Christopher Rhoads, Horseheads, Holy Family Junior High, 7
David Salati, Endicott, Union-Endicott High School, 12
Lisa Schneckenburger, Leicester, York Central School, 12
Kathy Sercy, Hamlin, Brockport High School, 9
Sara Szczech, Rochester, School of the Arts, 11
Sofia Tokar, Pittsford, Our Lady of Mercy, 12
Daniel Walker, Elmira, Cohen Middle School, 8
Patty Waters, Rochester, Eastridge High School, 11
Brandon Whitlock, Rochester, Fairport High School, 10

Central / Capital Region (38)

Patrick Acee, Syracuse, Henninger High School, 12
Shayquay Bailey, Syracuse, Nottingham H.S., 9
Luke Bell, Troy, Heatly, 9
Heather Burch, Argyle, Argyle Central, 7
Jennifer Case, Saratoga Springs, Schuylerville Central, 12
Micah Choi, Watertown, Case Middle School, 8
Peter Collins, Turin, Faith Christian School, 9
Melyssa Cooke, Rome, Strough Jr High School, 8
Christine D'Agostino, Syracuse, Huntington, 8
Krychelle E. Davis, Syracuse, Huntington, 8
Beth Delaney, Watertown, Gen Brown High School, 12
Autumn & Amanda Doria, Liverpool, Liverpool H.S., 10
Kevin Duffy, Albany, Bethlehem Central, 12
Zack Ford, Skaneateles, Skaneateles High School, 12
Joe Hall, Hogansburg, Massena High School, 9
Lisa Henty, Knoxboro, Madison Central, 9
Elisa King, Amsterdam, Amster High School, 12
Stefania Magro, Carthage, Carthage High School, 12
Noel Mann, Wells, Wells Central, 11
Trey Mask, Skaneateles, Skaneateles High School, 12
Meghan McCarthy, Malone, Franklin High School, 9
Ashley Melton, Syracuse, Henninger, 10
Emily Oswald, Fort Edward, Schuylerville, 12
Laura R. Pezdek, Cohoes, Cohoes High School, 12
Kevin Qian, Mechanicsville, Koda Middle, 7
Allison & Erin Riley, Albany, Academy of the Holy Name, 9&11
Joseph J. Rivers, Malone, Franklin High School, 9
Stacey Scott, Massena, JW Leary Jr High School, 8
Erin Sefca, Skaneateles, Skaneateles High School, 12
Chris Shear, Dexter, St. Anthonys, 7
Tara Marie Silk, Troy, Emma Willard, 11
Jenna Smaldon, Rome, Rome Free Academy, 11
Josephine Smith, Phoenix, Birdlebough High School, 12
Nicole Snyder, Syracuse, Huntington, 8
Melissa Strife, Rome, Rome Free Academy, 12
Brittany Vanderhoof, Utica, Donovan Middle School, 9
Erik Vandermark, Lacona, Sandy Creek Central, 11
Charlie Wells, Newport, West Canada Valley, 9
   
Metro New York (43)
   
Hemali Ajmera, Bayside, Bronx High School of Science, 12
Ian Borukhovich, New York, Bronx High School of Science, 11
Patrick Bradley, East Norwich, Oyster Bay High School,10
Kristy Buzzerio, East Norwich, Oyster Bay High School,10
Eric Cameron, Monsey, Spring Valley High School,12
Nathan Celauro, East Norwich, Oyster Bay High School,10
Daniel Crisanto, Staten Island, Curtis High School, 9
Marisa DeGaetani, Yorktown Heights, Lakeland H.S., 12
Jonathan Fauske, Staten Island, Curtis High School, 9
Angela Francia, Staten Island, Curtis High School, 9
Avery A. George, Bronx, Grace Dodge High School, 12
Lauren D. Glass, Yorktown Heights, Lakeland Senior H.S., 12
Bruna Glavan, Oyster Bay, Oyster Bay High School, 11
Medegine Guillaume, New York St. Jean Baptiste, 11
Erin Holcomb, Brooklyn Most Precious Blood, 8
Nancy Hom, New York Bronx HS of Science, 11
Nicki Kelly, Oyster Bay, Oyster Bay High School, 10
Tegan Jerde-Koonmen, West Point James I. O'Neill, 11
Nabila Lari, Bronx, St. Raymonds Academy, 9
Jordan Laufer, Oyster Bay Cove, Oyster Bay High School, 10
Arielle Laurie, East Norwich, Oyster Bay High School, 9
Aryela Levy, Yorktown Heights, Lakeland High School, 12
Jennifer Maa, Upper Brookville, Oyster Bay High School, 10
Megan Marsanico-Byrne, Brooklyn, Bronx H.S. of Science, 12
Christopher Massari, Jefferson Valley, Lakeland H.S., 12
Donna McCann, Huntington, Huntington High School, 12
Adam Werblin Moses, Centerport, Harborfields High School, 9
Debra Ann Mulholland, Monroe, Monroe Woodbury H.S., 12
Jessica Paige, Yonkers, Saunders High School, 12
Stephanie Pelling, Mill Neck, Oyster Bay High School, 10
Hector Perez, Forest Hills, Bronx High School of Science, 12
Davina Pertab, Bronx, Academy of Mt St Ursula, 12
Jessica Reing, Mohegan Lake, Lakeland High School,12
Mayra Reyes, Brooklyn, Roy H. Mann IS 78, 8
Glenda L. Richardson, Yorktown Heights, Lakeland H.S.,12
Rebecca Grace Searing, Oyster Bay, Oyster Bay High School, 9
Jonathan S. Stukalin, Forest Hills, Brooklyn Technical H.S., 11
Amy E. Susskraut, Stone Ridge, Dutchess County BOCES, 11
Brett Travis, Mahopac, Lakeland High School, 12
Destiny Wilson, New York, Martin Luther King Jr, 10
Peter Yip, New York, Bronx High School of Science, 12
Jonathan Zagzay, Rego Park, Bronx H.S. of Science, 12
Andre Zulkiski, New York Bronx High Schoolof Science, 12