2019 R-UTN Scholarship Winners

Pegeen Friese is this year’s recipient of the $2000 Retired – United Teachers of Northport Scholarship.

Pegeen is described as a sincere and genuine friend, a wonderful role model for her peers and a wonderfully talented musician who plans  to become a music teacher. She has performed in many music festivals, participated in NYSSMA and composed her own music.  Although music is her main pursuit, she has maintained a competitive GPA, a place on the Honor Role and a position as drum major. Her success has required a great deal of dedication, self- motivation and hard work. Defined by her teachers as passionate, determined and focused, she combines heartfelt passion with an extraordinary work ethic and she is a leader in every sense of the word. After graduation Pegeen will be attending Ithica College. 


Gisselle Battaglia is the recipient of the Retired – United Teachers of Northport $2000 Memorial Scholarship.

Gisselle winner is described by her teachers as hard working, reliable and responsible. She approaches every subject with enthusiasm and has maintained a high grade point average, challenging herself with a strong college preparatory curriculum, including International Baccalaureate and dual enrollment classes. One of her proudest achievements was her acceptance into the Honor Tour Choir.  Her work ethic, compassion and dedication to her principles set her apart from her peers. With her temperament and sense of service she will undoubtably become  an excellent teacher.  Gisselle will be attending Mercy College.


In addition, the R-UTN awarded $500 awards to children of in-service UTN members. The 2019 recipients are Holden Koestner attending Towson University in Maryland; Demitri Smith attending Hofstra University; Robert Staudigel attending Pennsylvania College of Technology; Gabrielle Teiner attending Pennsylvania State College.