Huntington Partners Are LI Student Visionaries of the Year

Huntington sophomores Ava Bencivenga and Violet Palacios captured first place in the Blood Cancer United’s Long Island Student Visionaries of the Year campaign, shattering all expectations en route to raising $242,000, which will be used in the battle against leukemia and lymphoma.

The Huntington teenagers had set an ambitious goal of raising $100,000 over a seven week period, but their fundraising team and generous contributions helped them exceed that mark by nearly 150 percent. The duo’s fundraising team consisted of high school students from Huntington, Harborfields and Kellenberg. LI Student Visionaries raised $1.48 million in total.

“I’m grateful for the support from my parents and Ava’s parents; we couldn’t have done this without them,” Ms. Palacios said. “They kept us motivated every step of the way. Being a student visionary candidate has been an unforgettable experience. The campaign gave me the opportunity to be a part of something greater than myself, working towards a meaningful cause.”

Ms. Bencivenga and Ms. Palacios were two members of a relatively small group of high-powered teenagers accepted into the Student Visionaries of the Year program.

“These students are true visionaries,” said Blood Cancer United in a Facebook posting. “Over seven weeks of determination, creativity, and leadership, they rallied their communities to raise lifesaving funds and awareness for blood cancer patients and families. Their compassion, drive, and commitment to making a difference remind us that the next generation of philanthropists and changemakers is already here. We’re incredibly proud of these remarkable students and the communities that stood behind them. The future is bright.”

“As a high school student, this leadership program has given me valuable skills and tools that will help me persevere in the future,” Ms. Palacios said. “Throughout the seven weeks of the campaign, I’ve learned to step out of my comfort zone, take initiative, and push myself to do things I never thought I could.”

Student Visionaries of the Year is a groundbreaking philanthropic leadership development program for high school students. Every year, courageous young leaders embark on an exciting seven-week journey with a goal to create a world without blood cancers, striving to earn the Student Visionary of the Year title.

“I would like to thank everyone who helped along the way,” Ms. Bencivenga said. “It was so amazing to see our friends, family and community support us. I am truly grateful for everyone that stood by our side. Being a student visionary has taught me so much and has shaped me into a better person. I am so happy that I was able to be a part of such an amazing organization and I hope all of our hard work will help many people in need.”

As a global leader in the fight against blood cancer, Blood Cancer United:

• Funds cutting-edge research leading to breakthroughs in immunotherapy, genomics and personalized medicine that are improving and saving the lives of patients

• Provides free education and support for blood cancer patients and families, including personalized, one-on-one support, assistance with identifying and enrolling in clinical trials, and more.

• Mobilizes thousands of advocates to drive policy changes that accelerate the development of new cancer treatments and break down barriers to care.

“This campaign has truly been an amazing learning experience,” Ms. Bencivenga said. “Stepping out of my comfort zone from pitching big corporations for money to public speaking. I am proud to say that All Stars United are the 2026 Student Visionaries of the Year and we couldn’t have done it without the help of such an amazing community.”

Ms. Bencivenga and Ms. Palacios are involved in sports and clubs and are both among the highest performing students academically in Huntington’s Class of 2028.

“We would like to thank our team members for their dedication during the seven weeks, each and every one of them played a tremendous role in our campaign,” said Ms. Bencivenga and Ms. Palacios in a joint statement. “Alongside, we would like to thank our advisor Annette York for guiding us through it all.”