Senate Resolution No. 2675

BY: Senator KAPLAN

CONGRATULATING Keneil Soni upon the occasion of
being named a Long Island Scholar-Artist

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to act, in accord
with its long-standing traditions, honoring the youth of today, and
leaders of tomorrow, whose character and achievements exemplify the
ideals and values cherished by this great State and Nation; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate
Keneil Soni upon the occasion of being named a Long Island
Scholar-Artist, to be recognized with a feature in Newsday in May of
2022 highlighting his academic and artistic successes in the area of
music; and

WHEREAS, The Long Island Scholar-Artist program recognizes students
who are judged to be the best of the best on Long Island in both
academics and the arts; Keneil Soni is one such individual; and

WHEREAS, The program is run by the Long Island Arts Alliance and is
sponsored in conjunction with The Arts Reach Fund and the New York
Community Bank Foundation; furthermore, it is produced in cooperation
with Newsday; and

WHEREAS, Keneil Soni began playing the French horn in the fourth
grade; ever since he attended a masterclass session with musician Sarah
Willis, he fell in love with the art and found a new passion in the
creativity and expression of music; and

WHEREAS, A member of the prestigious Juilliard Pre-College
Orchestra, Keneil Soni performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City and
the New World Center in Miami with the National Youth Orchestra in 2019
and 2020; he is first horn with the All-National and All-State
Orchestra, and was accepted as one of eight hornists from across the
United States into the National Youth Orchestra for the Summer of 2022;
and

WHEREAS, Keneil Soni is a senior at Herricks High School where he
serves as Tri-M Honor Society President, Quiz Bowl Varsity Captain and
Cross Country Varsity Captain; he also created a performance initiative
during the pandemic and raised more than $1,000 for the United Way of
New York City; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Class of 2022 Valedictorian Keneil Soni plans
to study neuroscience or biology at Harvard University next year; and

WHEREAS, Keneil Soni has distinguished himself as a young man of
superlative ability, establishing a high standard of musical skill,
academic ability and purposefulness of life rarely achieved in youthful
years; and

WHEREAS, Poised eagerly with enthusiasm and determined purpose, this
scholar artist now stands honorably, with just pride in his
accomplishments and in eager anticipation of future challenges,

understanding and appreciating the caring counsel and support provided
by his teachers, parents and community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations,
with praise and pride, to congratulate Keneil Soni for his achievements,
and to extend to him the best wishes of this Legislative Body for a
future of purposeful success and well-being; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Keneil Soni.