A student at Islip High School was recently surprised to celebrate how she gives back in the community.

Carla Arieta was selected as the Northeast Student of the Year for Chick-fil-A Leader Academy, an action-oriented leadership program empowering students to make an impact in their schools and local communities.

Carla was specifically recognized for her efforts in raising nearly $7,000 for the local American Legion chapter. Members of the chapter attended her celebration.

The Student of the Year Award was created in 2026 to recognize extraordinary leaders within the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy program. Just one of six recipients nationwide, Carla was nominated by her Chick-fil-A Leader Academy facilitator, Renée Clock. 

The Leader Academy chapter is sponsored by Bryan Beasley, a Long Island native who owns two Chick-fil-A restaurants. Each regional Student of the Year receives a $1,000 scholarship administered through Scholarship America.