Inspiring Future Leaders: MHS Science Research Specialist Alison Huenger Honored by Morehead-Cain Foundation

Manhasset School District is proud to announce that Alison Huenger, Science Research Specialist at Manhasset High School, has been named a 2026 Impact Educator by the Morehead-Cain Foundation.

The global initiative recognizes outstanding K-12 educators who are shaping tomorrow’s change-makers. What makes this recognition especially meaningful is that it is entirely student-driven. Ms. Huenger was nominated by Manhasset High School senior and Science Research student Lucienne Keyoung, who reached the semifinalist level for the highly competitive Morehead-Cain scholarship.

Affiliated with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Morehead-Cain Foundation administers the nation’s first merit scholarship program, seeking to identify and develop exceptional young leaders. High school seniors at the semifinalist level nominate the mentors who have had the most profound positive influence on their academic, personal and leadership development. Ms. Huenger is one of just 503 educators recognized worldwide this year, and one of only 10 chosen from the entire state of New York.

As the Director of Manhasset’s Science Research Program for the past 11 years, Ms. Huenger has fostered a culture of rigorous, collegiate-level inquiry. Under her guidance, Manhasset student researchers consistently earn top honors at prestigious regional, national and international competitions, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search and the International Science and Engineering Fair. This international honor from Morehead-Cain closely follows her receipt of the 2025 Junior Science and Humanities Symposium National Teacher Award.

The entire Manhasset school community congratulates Ms. Huenger on this well-deserved honor and thanks her for her continued dedication to empowering our student-scientists to lead and innovate with purpose.