Meet the valedictorians and salutatorians of the Huntington area
Students at Huntington, Northport-East Northport and Harborfields school districts put in strong efforts this year to come out at the top of their classes. The valedictorian and salutatorian of each district answered a few questions to let their community get to know them a little better. The graduates were asked the following: (1) What were you involved with at your high school? (2) What college are you attending and what are you studying? (3) What is your favorite high school memory? (4) What are you most excited for in college? (5) What will you miss most about your school?
Huntington
Salutatorian: Miranda Nykolyn, 17
1. I was involved with Key Club (secretary), varsity rowing, varsity tennis, Mathletes, and Science National Honor Society (treasurer). Science research is among my favorite activities.
2. I am attending Stanford University and majoring in mechanical engineering/applied mathematics.
3. My favorite high school memory would have to be winning the New York State Scholastic Rowing Championships in the Women’s Varsity Single.
4. I am most excited to be living on my own, and being responsible for my own actions. College is a great time to grow and find a healthy balance between schoolwork and fun.
5. I will miss most the amazing people in my community and the great programs offered. Huntington High School has many AP classes and a variety of extracurriculars that allow for any interest to be fostered.
Valedictorian: Steve Yeh, 18
1. I was involved with Stocks Analysis Club, Math Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Social Studies Honor Society, Chinese Foreign Exchange Club, Quiz Bowl and Science Bowl, piano, tutoring at Huntington Station library and Natural Helpers.
2. I am attending Cornell University next year majoring in math and economics and minoring in physics.
3. I don’t necessarily have one favorite high school memory, but as a whole I loved being around my friends, having meaningful discussions and debates in history and government courses and helping out my classmates with academics and regular daily problems and vice versa; this makes it more of a community rather than just a school.
4. I am most excited about meeting new people who come from diverse backgrounds and also being able to study a variety of courses across a breadth of disciplines while also learning more in-depth about respective content material.
5. I will miss my friends and teachers the most. I have learned so much about various subjects, but more importantly, I have learned more about myself.
Northport-East Northport
Salutatorian: Sarah Abodalo, 17
1. I was involved with varsity soccer (captain), named All Conference and All County (2015, 2016) and Newsday Top 50 Players (2015, 2016). I also was All County SCMEA (2014, 2015), NYSCAME for Voice (2016), NYSCAME for horn (2015), marching band, symphonic winds, tour choir (officer), pit orchestra, and Tri-M Music Honor Society.
2. I am attending the Honor’s College at Hofstra University, with majors in English and French language and education.
3. My favorite high school memory was when I toured England and Scotland with our tour choir in the summer 2015. Performing in some of the most historical places in the world was one of the most gratifying experiences I have had the opportunity to partake in.
4. Next year I will be playing on the Hofstra University women’s soccer team. I am beyond ecstatic and honored to be playing at such a high level with such talented individuals.
5. I will greatly miss being a part of the fantastic music program that Northport provides its students. Choir and band have been a major part of my life and I am sad to have to say goodbye to all the wonderful teachers I have had over the years.
Valedictorian: Cybele Laisney, 18
1. I volunteered at the Atria, provided free tutoring for those in need, and at the Huntington YMCA. I was in French Club (president), Grandfriends (vice-president), National Honor Society, World Language Honor Society, and Technology Honor Society. I also played varsity tennis.
2. I am attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a major in bio-engineering.
3. I will remember meeting with Martha, a resident at the Atria, to sit down and chat every Tuesday. She offered a lot of wisdom and always encouraged me to pursue my dreams. I’ll miss her a lot next year,
4. I’m most excited to be surrounded by new people in the Cambridge/Boston area. I know the people I will be surrounded by will only inspire me to push myself further.
5. I’ll miss the people I’ve met along the way. I’ve gotten to know some truly wonderful people throughout high school, and although it is heartbreaking to be apart from the people I’m close to, I know they will do bigger and better things in college.
Harborfields
Salutatorian: Ishaan Lohia, 17
1. I was involved in the Harborfields Theatre Company, National Honor Society, science research and Mathletes.
2. I will be studying physics at Northeastern University.
3. My favorite memory is senior playfest.
4. I am most excited to study the things that I love at college.
5. I will miss the friends that I have made at Harborfields.
Valedictorian: Casandra Moisanu, 18
1. I was involved in All-County girls varsity soccer, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Mathletes.
2. I’ll be studying environmental science at Cornell University.
3. I’ll remember being a part of the soccer team here at Harborfields High School.
4. I am most excited to learn new things at a higher level.
5. I’m going to miss the family feel that we have here in Harborfields.
