Victoria Basharina, a senior at William Floyd High School, has been selected as one of just 25 New York State nominees for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students who represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in the leaders of tomorrow.
New York State Commissioner of Education, Betty A. Rosa, selected Victoria among a strong pool of statewide candidates to advance to the nationwide competition. There are 25 total nominees – 20 in the general component and five from the Career and Technical Education component categories. Victoria was selected in the general component category and is one of only four students from Long Island and just two from Suffolk County selected for this honor this year.
Victoria is the second William Floyd student to earn the honor of becoming a U.S. Presidential Scholars nominee in the past three years with Alexandra Clougher being named a CTE component nominee in 2022.
Victoria, 18, of Mastic, is an exceptional student with a weighted grade point average exceeding 100. She is on track to graduate No. 11 in a class of 767 students as a member of the William Floyd High School Class of 2025. She has completed 13 advanced placement courses including algebra in seventh grade at William Floyd Middle School. She challenged herself with this course at such a young age despite knowing she would not be able to receive high school credit per NYS regulations.
“In my 23 years as a school counselor, I have had the opportunity to work with hundreds of students, all unique and special in their own way, but Victoria Basharina is a standout to me and probably one of the brightest and most interesting young women I have met in my entire career,” said Ashley Siebert, Victoria’s guidance counselor. “She represents the very best of what we hope to foster in our students: intellectual curiosity, resilience, compassion, and the drive to make a positive impact.”
Victoria emigrated from Russia in the first grade, and soon after arriving to America, she began attending Moriches Elementary School. Despite the challenges she faced of adapting to a new country, language and culture without all members of her family present, she used it as an opportunity to build strength and empathy toward others, which is evident through her various community service activities. She spends any free time that she has volunteering at food drives, toy drives, fundraising events, community clean-ups, waterfront conservation events and ecological studies, and tutoring students who are new to the country and learning English.
Academically, Victoria’s passion has been her science research classes, where she has been able to delve deep into science topics and work with others who share the same passion. After graduation, she plans on attending a university where she can continue to grow and thrive in an environment that supports a high level of academic excellence and helps to further develop her research skills. She has participated in dual-enrollment courses at Suffolk County Community College in accounting, as well as at Stony Brook University in research, biological anthropology and psychology.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Victoria throughout much of her high school career as a research student, and I could not be prouder of all she has accomplished,” said Dr. Martin Palermo, honors chemistry, research and lead science teacher at William Floyd High School. “This nomination, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students, highlights Victoria’s hard work, intellectual curiosity, and passion for learning. She is a shining example of what it means to be a William Floyd student, earning the respect of both the faculty and her peers and modeling what it means to be a responsible and impactful community member. I look forward to seeing all the extraordinary achievements Victoria will undoubtedly accomplish in the future as she continues to make a positive difference in the world.”
In addition to her excellence in academics, Victory has immersed herself into a variety of activities including as a member of the National Honor Society, the Science Honor Society, Youth and Government (serving as Deputy Pro-Tempore of the Senate and earning two Best Bill awards and the Best Debater award), Robotics, the Gay-Straight Alliance, and the Science Technology Entry Program (STEP) offered through Stony Brook University. She is also just one of 10 members of the William Floyd High School Class of 2025 to earn the AP Capstone designation on her diploma, which is a significant honor for students and awarded to those who have scored a 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and a 3 or higher on four additional AP exams of their choosing.
Victoria has also participated in the inaugural animatronics club turned Animatronic & Design course, in which students constructed lifelike animatronic birds of the same high quality seen in films and at amusement parks.
Third District Assemblyman Joseph P. DeStefano, who represents the William Floyd School District, said, “I’d like to humbly give my congratulations to Victoria Basharina for being nominated for the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholar's Program. This program was established as one of the nation’s highest honors a student can receive for their own academic excellence and achievements. Victoria has not only demonstrated academic excellence but has also gone above-and-beyond to demonstrate worthy leadership qualities within her school and local community. My best wishes as she continues to inspire others and excel on her academic journey!”
Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr., stated in the announcement, “On behalf of my colleagues on the Board of Regents, I wish to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all of New York’s exceptional Presidential Scholar candidates. The Empire State can take great pride in these candidates who represent the very best in academic achievement, artistic excellence, career and technical education distinction and civic engagement.”
Commissioner Rosa added, “I am thrilled to recommend each of these truly outstanding students to represent New York as Presidential Scholar candidates. Each nominee is uniquely qualified for this honor, and I have no doubt that they will all continue to achieve great things throughout their educational and life journeys. I must also thank our colleagues in the New York State Legislature for recommending students of such high distinction for this honor.”
The United States Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 to recognize some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects students annually based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations, and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.
Application is by invitation only. Students chosen as U.S. Presidential Scholars receive a U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion in June.
Victoria has attended William Floyd schools since first grade at Moriches Elementary School, William Floyd Middle School and now William Floyd High School.