Mastic Beach, NY - April 21, 2016 - Ezekiel Torres, a junior at William Floyd High School, was recently selected to attend the United States Naval Academy Summer Seminar (NASS) this upcoming June, where he will learn about life at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, and participate in a fast-paced six-day experience focused on academics, athletics and professional training with the goal of helping to develop America’s future leaders. This program is only open to high-achieving students who have completed their junior year in high school. Ezekiel’s ultimate goal after graduation is to gain acceptance to the Naval Academy.

“The opportunity to attend the Naval Academy Summer Seminar program gives me the chance to experience life as a midshipman at Annapolis, as well as gives the academy a chance to get to know me as a person instead of a name on an application,” said Torres. “I want to go to the Naval Academy because I have a long family history of men who have served our country. For a young man being raised by a single mother, it would be phenomenal to attend this academic institution, and being accepted into NASS is the first step!”

Torres plays the tenor saxophone in the high school wind symphony and is a two-year member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. He also is a member of the Youth & Government Club and was elected to the position of Attorney General and received the “Best Attorney” and “Best Brief” awards. He is also a member of the mock trial team and was part of the state championship team during his freshman year. He also plays linebacker for the varsity football team. This past February, he received accolades from the Town of Brookhaven at their annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration for maintaining a 3.7 grade point average or higher.

“In trying to describe a student like Ezekiel, two words immediately come to mind: scholar athlete,” said Dana Garner, Ezekiel’s guidance counselor. “Combine his intelligence, enthusiasm, humility and leadership ability, and one has the recipe for success in any post-secondary institution. Ezekiel has tremendous potential and it has been an honor and privilege to work with him this year. I am confident that he will make the William Floyd community proud in his future endeavors.”