Celebrating Student Success: NYC NAF Academies Reflect on a Year of Achievement, Growth, and Impact 

As we say goodbye to the 2025–26 school year, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our NAF community. From classrooms to careers, our NAF academies across NYC continue to raise the bar — earning prestigious scholarships, awards, and recognition for their dedication, talent, and perseverance. 

These achievements reflect the power of career-connected learning and the lasting impact of NAF’s mission in action. We’re proud to spotlight the stories, milestones, and successes that showcase what’s possible when students, alumni, and educators are supported, inspired, and prepared to thrive. 

Explore this year’s highlights and join us in celebrating our NAF stars! 

2026 NYC Academy Foundation’s Scholarship of Excellence:  

The NYC Academy Foundation’s Scholarship of Excellence was created to support NYC NAF students who have successfully completed the required program of study and are on track to achieve NAFTrack Certification — an employability credential designed by education and business leaders that acts as NAF’s seal of college and career readiness. The mission of the scholarship is to provide financial assistance to graduating NYC NAF students who have been accepted into and are enrolled in undergraduate study in community colleges, two-year and four-year colleges, trade schools, and universities. The Excellence Scholarship principally targets two and four-year academic programs, including, but not limited to, fields such as business, finance, IT, health sciences, hospitality & tourism, and engineering. 

This scholarship is presented to NYC NAF graduating seniors who have met the requirements for achieving NAFTrack Certification: completing career-focused course requirements, participating in the continuum of work-based learning experiences (career awareness and career exploration), and satisfying a career preparation internship or an alternative internship experience. The student has demonstrated a greater understanding of the world of work by participating in several work-based learning opportunities throughout the years, all while maintaining an impressive GPA. 

Award Winners: 

• Christine D., Academy of Finance and Enterprise, Academy of Finance (AOF) 

• Jennifer J., Business of Sports School, Academy of Finance (AOF) 

• Yaowen F., High School of Economics and Finance, Academy of Finance (AOF) 

• Carlos M., Manhattan Bridges High School, Academy of Engineering (AOE) 

• Brianna B., The High School for Enterprise, Business & Technology, Academy of Hospitality and Tourism (AOHT) 

2026 NAF Women in Tourism Student Award:  

The NAF Women in Tourism Student Award recognizes one graduating female student from a NYC NAF Academy of Hospitality and Tourism (AOHT) with a $2,000 scholarship. Brianna B. from The High School for Enterprise, Business & Technology, AOHT, was featured in the 5^th Annual Women in Tourism Luncheon commemorative journal on May 12^th at City Winery Pier 57 at the Hudson River, NYC, and acknowledged as the 2026 award recipient. Congratulations! 

2026 Today’s Girl, Tomorrow’s Woman (TGTW) Scholarship:

The TGTW Scholarship was created to support self-identifying, college-bound women who demonstrate exceptional academic performance, leadership, and a commitment to community service. The recipient’s impressive GPA, extensive involvement in extracurricular activities, and inspiring essay responses make them a standout candidate. 

As a recipient of this scholarship, young women are granted $1,000.00 USD to bolster their educational pursuits. Moreover, they will be welcomed into a supportive network committed to nurturing their development and inspiring them to give back. Congratulations to Tazeen M. from the Academy of Finance and Enterprise, AOF!  

NYC NAF Speaks 1.0 Program:

This annual NYC NAF Speaks 1.0 series enables sophomore, junior, and senior NAF students to strengthen their communication and leadership skills through hands-on public speaking experiences. Over the course of six interactive workshops, students stepped into a variety of speaking roles, explored multiple speech formats, and practiced both giving and receiving constructive feedback. Together, they built confidence and skills that will continue to support them in their academic and professional journeys. The NYC NAF Speaks program is proudly sponsored by the NYC NAF Advisory Board and supported by local alumni who understand firsthand the transformative impact of this experience.

This year, 21 NYC NAF students from The Academy of Finance and Enterprise, The High School of Economics and Finance, and Susan E. Wagner High School officially graduated from the program. Graduation day offered students the opportunity to showcase their growth by presenting in front of classmates, family members, and special guests. It was a powerful and pride-filled celebration of their dedication and accomplishments.

NYSSCPA CPA Career Day:

This year, 120 NAF students from three Academies of Finance: Academy of Finance and Enterprise, The High School of Economics and Finance in New York City, and Monticello High School in New York State, attended CPA Career Day, hosted by KPMG in Hudson Yards, NYC.

CPA Career Day features sessions led by the NYSSCPA Manhattan/Bronx Chapter, NAF alumni, accountants, and CPA industry partners from both the private and public sectors. Students in NAF Academies of Finance take part in career awareness and exploration activities, including resume writing and AI workshops, networking, and collaboration. The day concludes with a visit to and tour of local accounting firms.

2026 NAF Alumni Award (Awarded at NAF Next Conference):

Michael Durant (AOF Alumnus, Adlai E. Stevenson High School, 2007, Bronx, NY; Senior Tax Manager, Prager Metis CPAs)

NAF supported Michael’s career growth and development through lifelong mentors, beginning with an internship at KPMG. One of the most valuable lessons he gained from his NAF academy was budgeting—a skill that helped him avoid many of the financial challenges some of his peers faced.

Today, Michael is not only a CPA but also a JD. His experiences as a NAF student continue to inspire him to give back and help strengthen the talent pipeline for future generations. An exceptional and deeply engaged alumnus, Michael regularly attends local NAF and alumni events, volunteers at multiple student-facing programs each year, serves on an Advisory Board, and is a dedicated donor.

Michael participates in CPA Day annually, leading breakout sessions and participating in panel discussions. He has hosted office tours, hired NAF interns, and shared his professional journey with students and alumni through virtual career webinars focused on both accounting and law. He is also a consistent presence at the NAF Benefit, making an annual contribution and attending year after year.

In addition, Michael has participated in the Fundraising and Friendraising event during NAF Alumni Month, spoken with academy students as part of work-based learning experiences, and represented the alumni community at NAF Board of Directors meetings and NAF’s first-ever Town Hall. His continued commitment exemplifies the lasting impact of NAF and the power of alumni engagement.

2026 NAF Future Ready Industry Award at the UFT CTE Awards:

Each February, the NAF Future Ready Industry Award is presented at the annual UFT CTE Awards to recognize outstanding NAF academy educators and advocates. As NAF’s highest honor for educators, the award celebrates individuals who go above and beyond to prepare students for college, career, and future success. This year’s recipient was Joshua Cato, a NAF Academy of Information Technology educator at The High School for Enterprise, Business & Technology in Brooklyn, New York. ​

2026 NAF|NFTE Future Ready Cornell University Campus ​Experience Tour

In partnership with NFTE and Cornell University, 35 NAF students and chaperones from the Academy of Finance and Enterprise (AOF), Business of Sports School (AOF), High School of Economics and Finance (AOF), and United Charter Advanced Math & Science IV (AOIT) will participate in this year’s tour, which will take place in early August. The experience offers rising 11th and 12^th grade students a unique opportunity to:

• Tour Cornell University’s campus
• Meet college professors
• Explore undergraduate programs, review the application process, and learn about scholarships.
• Discover how to become a strong college applicant
• Enjoy meals provided throughout the day!