Adventureland Awards $65K In Scholarships To 13 Long Island Students

FARMINGDALE, NY — Thirteen Long Island students received a combined $65,000 in scholarships from Adventureland’s Helping Hands Foundation during its eighth annual Friends and Family VIP Night in Farmingdale.

Each student received a $5,000 Vivian & Tony Gentile Scholarship. The foundation said it has awarded $462,000 in scholarships to local students since the program began.

The annual event also raised more than $475,000 for future scholarships and community causes, according to the foundation. More than 2,000 people attended, with more than 70 Long Island businesses and organizations sponsoring or contributing to the fundraiser and more than 50 raffle prizes donated.

“The support we received on Friday night was incredible – seeing families of all ages enjoying the park all while supporting the foundation is something really special – playing games, enjoying snacks, buying raffles – all different ways of supporting the foundation on this special night,” Jeanine Pacella, an Adventureland Helping Hands Foundation board member, said. “Raising over $475K takes a village and we are honored to have you as part of it!”

The scholarship recipients:

Brady Beddoe, a Lindenhurst Senior High School graduate who received the Sachem Dental Group Scholarship. Beddoe is a freshman at Farmingdale State College studying biology and pre-dental studies.

Jayla Bryan, a Wyandanch Memorial High School graduate who received an Adventureland Employee Scholarship. She is attending Adelphi University and studying computer science.

Allison Callahan, a Holy Trinity High School graduate who received an Adventureland Employee Scholarship. She is studying cosmetology at Brittany Beauty Academy.

Sophia Corso, of East Islip, who received a Breakthrough T1D Scholarship. She is studying nuclear medicine technology at Molloy University.

Olivia Fligr, a Locust Valley High School graduate who is a freshman at Molloy University studying nursing.

Makayla Frantzen, an Island Trees High School graduate who received an Adventureland Employee Scholarship. She is a freshman at Adelphi University studying education and science.

Haley Hannigan, an East Islip High School graduate who received the Island Harvest Scholarship. She is a freshman at Molloy University studying nursing.

Christian Hardiman, a Plainedge High School graduate and freshman at Hofstra University studying finance and accounting.

Raima Oberoi, a Farmingdale High School graduate who received an Adventureland Employee Scholarship. She is a freshman at Hofstra University studying business analytics.

Alina Ronayn, a Plainedge Senior High School graduate who received an Adventureland Employee Scholarship. She is a freshman at Molloy University studying nursing.

Julia Scourakis, a Hampton Bays High School graduate who is a freshman at Molloy University studying social work.

Amanda Sullivan, a Harmony Heights High School graduate who is a freshman at Long Island University studying digital art and design.

Juyoung Yang, a John H. Glenn High School graduate who is a freshman at Stony Brook University studying computer science.

“I just want to say that I am deeply honored to be able to receive this scholarship along with the many other students who have received these scholarships as well,” Beddoe said.

Fligr said the scholarship would provide significant financial help.

“I am in shock that I won! Thank you, thank you thank you! This is going to help me so much,” she said.

Hannigan said she was “truly honored” to be selected, while Hardiman said he was “honored and grateful.”

Oberoi thanked the foundation and its board for supporting her education.

“I’m very grateful to be a part of the Adventureland community,” she said.

Scourakis said the award would be helpful to both her and her family.

Entertainment during the event included Team Fun, DJ Theo, DJ Justin Michaels and musician Albert Liu. Charlize Tuozzo performed the national anthem, and Monsignor Jim Vlaun of Catholic Faith Network delivered a blessing.

Adventureland’s Helping Hands Foundation was created in 2013 in memory of Tony Gentile, one of Adventureland’s founders, with a mission of supporting Long Island communities.

The foundation said it has raised more than $2.5 million since its creation. Its support has included scholarships, grants and in-kind assistance for Long Island nonprofits, school supplies, food donations, hospital protective equipment, holiday gifts and other community programs.