Cedar Crest College has announced Giovanna Sodano of Peekskill, NY, as the winner of a four-year, full-tuition scholarship. Sodano competed against dozens of high school students at the 13th Annual Scholarship Competition Day held on February 5, 2022.
Sodano was among more than 80 high school students that took a three-hour exam covering the arts, mathematics, science, writing and the humanities during the campus event. Per tradition, President Elizabeth M. Meade, Ph.D., kicked off Scholarship Competition Day by quizzing the 69 News at Sunrise anchors on WFMZ. Following the exam, participating students and their families attended a Faculty Meet and Greet and were treated to afternoon refreshments.
The top 25 finishers were recognized later that day, with Sodano and four other finalists moving on to the interview portion of the competition. A few days later, Cedar Crest President Elizabeth M. Meade called Sodano to tell her she had been named the winner.
“When my name was called as one of the top five finalists, I was in shock,” says Sodano. “And then when I got the phone call later saying that I had won, I couldn’t believe it. I felt like all of my hard work had finally paid off. Winning a full-tuition scholarship is something that rarely happens.”
Sodano was born and raised in Naples, Italy, and moved to New York about five years ago. She will graduate this spring from Peekskill High School where she is a member of several honor societies. Sodano enjoys participating in her school’s art club, staying active and tutoring younger students in art and science. At Cedar Crest College, she is planning to study genetic engineering. Sodano hopes to one day earn her Ph.D. and become a professor.
About Cedar Crest College’s Scholarship Competition Day
The annual Scholarship Day Competition invites high-achieving prospective students and their families to campus to compete and discover the many opportunities available at Cedar Crest that empower future leaders through scholarship, global connectivity, wellness and service.
In recognition of their academic achievements, every participant receives at minimum a $2,000 scholarship over four years ($500 per year). Participants finishing in 11th-25th place receive a $4,000 scholarship over four years ($1,000 per year), those finishing in 6th-10th place receive a $6,400 scholarship over four years ($1,600 per year) and students finishing in 2nd – 5th place receive an $8,000 scholarship over for years ($2,000 per year). The winner is awarded a four-year, full-tuition scholarship.
For more information about the annual Scholarship Competition Day, please contact the Admissions Office at 610-740-3780.