Klara Mosakowski, an 18-year-old student from Manhasset, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Polish American Cultural Association (PACA) Scholarship, awarded annually to a standout student of Polish descent in Nassau County.
Raised in a family with Polish roots, Mosakowski’s scholarship application demonstrated a blend of academic excellence, community involvement and a drive to make a lasting impact in her chosen field, according to Louis Linhart, PACA president and the 2025 PACA scholarship committee. She will be attending Purdue University in the fall, where she plans to study applied mathematics with aspirations of pursuing an MBA.
Mosakowski’s reaction upon learning of the scholarship was one of surprise.
“I was in Spain when I got the text from my parents and I was pretty shocked,” she recalled. “I know I’m Polish, but I just thought someone who was more Polish would get it, since I didn’t attend Polish school.”
Despite not attending a formal Polish school, Mosakowski said she has always been surrounded by Polish culture.
“I had Polish nannies and all my family and closest friends are Polish,” she explained, adding that the scholarship served as a reminder of how deeply her heritage has shaped her identity.
In addition to her Polish heritage, Mosakowski’s achievements are a testament to her hard work and dedication.
Her academic journey has been marked by a passion for both mathematics and science. With a GPA of 3.65 and extensive involvement in research and extracurriculars, Mosakowski is already a step ahead in her college journey, according to her scholarship application.
She earned recognition for her science research, including third place at the WAC Lighting Science Fair and first place at the NYSSEF Andromeda competition. Additionally, Mosakowski’s role as a math tutor and her contributions to various philanthropic projects reflect her desire to give back to her community.
According to Mosakowski, the scholarship money will play a vital role in easing the financial burden of her education, especially as she pursues further studies.
“I want to be able to get an MBA when I’m older and I’m going to have to pay for that as well,” she said. “If I can get as much funding as I can for college now, it’ll help me use that money later on for my MBA.”
Linhart said the scholarship committee’s notes indicated that Mosakowski’s involvement in community service is also noteworthy. One of her first major volunteer efforts was with the Manhasset Kids’ fundraising campaign to aid Ukrainian refugees.
“We raised supplies and money for refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine,” Mosakowski said. “That was the first kind of community service I did.”
This initiative sparked her continued commitment to volunteering, which included tutoring SAT students and mentoring other young people. She also found time to engage in science research projects, focusing on environmental issues such as oil remediation in Manhasset Bay. Mosakowski said that she is passionate about addressing local pollution problems.
Mosakowski’s dedication to academics, community service and personal growth did not go unnoticed by her mentors. Brian Woerner, the department head of English at Manhasset Secondary School (high school), wrote in his letter of recommendation, “Clara has distinguished herself as a creative, engaged and self-driven student whose wide-ranging interests have led to her position as a peer leader and exemplary student.”
Looking ahead to her future, Mosakowski’s commitment to both her education and her community is clear. Her story is a reminder of the impact of hard work, persistence and the importance of staying connected to one’s roots, no matter where life may lead.
The application entry for PACA’s 2026 scholarship will be announced after the new year. Visit www.portwashingtonpolishclub.com for more information.
Christy Hinko is on the 2024 PACA Scholarship committee.
