Here’s an up-close and personal look at this year’s valedictorians and salutatorians. 

Congratulations to the following top achievers at Riverhead, Shoreham-Wading River and Bishop McGann-Mercy high schools.

RIVERHEAD

Peter Cook

VALEDICTORIAN

GPA: 109.729 (weighted)

College plans: Cornell University

Major: electrical engineering

Academic distinctions: Recognized as a National AP Scholar, Peter was a Rensselaer Math Medalist and member of the National and National Foreign Language honor societies. He also received a scholarship from Brookhaven National Lab.

Musically inclined: Peter played trombone in Riverhead’s senior, jazz, pep and HMEA honors bands while also playing piano with the pit orchestra. This year, he was awarded a seat in the All National Band.

“It’s no exaggeration to say that over four years, the music department has made quite a difference in my life,” he said.

Extracurriculars: Peter ran varsity cross country and belonged to the winter and spring track and field teams. He was also captain of the Certamen Latin Club and a member of the Science Club, Math Club, Mentathletes and Coding Club.

Community involvement: Peter volunteers with a church youth organization and the Riverhead Community Awareness Program. He also helps recycle paper with the Science Club. He spends his free time working a part-time job and recently volunteered as an IT intern at Suffolk County National Bank.

Engineering dreams: In his AP physics class, Peter helped construct a Rube Goldberg machine. Although it didn’t work as intended, he said the project sparked his interest in engineering.

“I wanted to learn how to apply the mathematics and concepts taught in the classroom toward a more successful result,” he said.

Parting words: “Be good to each other and keep in mind that four years isn’t a long time.”

Joseph Messina

SALUTATORIAN

GPA: 109 (weighted)

College plans: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Major: nuclear engineering

A little bit of everything: In addition to being an AP Scholar with distinction, Joseph was a member of the National Honor Society and National Foreign Language Honor Society. He also belonged to the Math Club, Spanish Club and Mentathletes. Outside the classroom, he worked part-time as a line cook at Long Island Aquarium.

Keep on running: Throughout high school, Joseph ran on the cross country and winter and spring track and field teams. Because of this, he received the Golden Key award, which is given to students who complete eight seasons with a varsity sport between their sophomore and senior years. During his last cross country season, Joseph was one of the team’s top three or four runners. In addition to being a scholar athlete, he broke a five-minute mile during track and field season.

Giving back: With the National Honor Society, Joseph helped raise money for local charities through a program called Helping Hands. In this program, students shadow teachers and perform miscellaneous tasks in exchange for donations that help families in need or other charities, Joseph said.

Parting words: “I attribute my success in high school to hard work. With determination and hard work, one can achieve anything.”

Shoreham-Wading River

Kelvin Ma

VALEDICTORIAN

GPA: 102.65 (weighted)

College plans: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Major: computer and electrical engineering

Math whiz: Since freshman year, Kelvin has been the top scorer on the Shoreham-Wading River Mathletes team, his favorite school activity. He was a countywide league high scorer and placed second among the top five scorers in the Suffolk County Math Teachers Association. He has earned the AMC School Winner title for the past three years and represented SWR on the Suffolk County All-Star Math Team. He also helped form Shoreham’s only team to compete in the Moody M3 math challenge, for which they took home a $1,000 prize.

Elite test taker: Kelvin scored a 5 — the highest possible score — on every Advanced Placement exam he took, garnering him an AP Scholar designation. He even completed the AP Biology exam without taking the course. Kelvin also achieved a perfect score on the PSAT and a near-perfect score on the SAT. Additionally, he was a College Board National Merit finalist.

Extracurriculars: Kelvin participated in the high school’s NEXUS community service program and led an effort to recycle plastic waste with the tennis team. In addition, he was on the varsity volleyball and track teams.

Parting words: “I don’t think there’s really one real strategy … you do what works for you. There’s no magic formula.”

Nicholas Maritato

SALUTATORIAN

GPA: 101.17 (weighted)

College plans: Johns Hopkins University

Major: biomedical engineering

Doing it all: Nicholas was on the SWR volleyball team and also ran winter and spring track and field. A longtime Boy Scout, he has attained the rank of Eagle Scout. In addition, Nicholas has volunteered at St. Charles Hospital and as a camp counselor. He also tutored, was NEXUS club member, assisted in an annual beach cleanup and worked with HGTV and Jane Street Entertainment to remodel a house for a family in need.

Musician: Nicholas played trumpet in the school’s jazz band, concert band and pit orchestra and played first trumpet in all-county band for six years. Outside of school, he plays the drums, piano and guitar and hopes to continue playing in college.

Academic achievements: Nicholas was a National Honor Society member and an AP Scholar with honors. He made the principal’s list every quarter in high school. Nicholas won the AP Chemistry Award, Excellence in French 4 Award, Excellence in Physical Education Award and the New York State Scholar Athlete Award. He also earned an honorable mention at Moody’s Mega Math Challenge. He was ranked a Suffolk County All-Academic Elite for having one of the top 12 grade-point averages among varsity volleyball players in Suffolk County.

Parting words: “Keep on top of your work early and get it done as soon as possible, when assigned.”

Bishop McGann-Mercy

Katharine Brownfiel

VALEDICTORIAN

GPA: 102.689

College plans: College of William and Mary

Major: English and secondary education

Well-rounded: Katharine, who lives in Middle Island, was on the varsity tennis team, served as editor-in-chief of McGann-Mercy’s school newspaper and was a member of the National Honor Society. She served as a public relations/historian officer and was a member of the math and science honor societies. She also participated in the varsity Academic Team, Latin Certamen, Suffolk County Advanced Division Battle of the Books and school musical ensembles. At McGann-Mercy, she spearheaded and ran Operation Christmas Child, which sends gifts overseas to children in need.

When she’s not at school: Katharine was a vacation Bible school teaching assistant at Long Island Aquarium. She was also a content provider for Odyssey and a retail employee.

Family tradition: Katharine’s mother and aunt were both valedictorians at McGann-Mercy. She said that ever since middle school she has been working to follow in their footsteps.

English enthusiast: A passionate reader who loves writing, Katharine hopes to influence others to similarly enjoy literature. That’s why she plans to become a high school English teacher.

“I believe literature can open your mind to whole new worlds,” she said.

Parting words: “I personally believe in never saying no to an opportunity and this [belief] has opened the way to a host of experiences.”

Nathan Sandler

SALUTATORIAN

GPA: 102.674

College plans: Tufts University

Major: biomedical engineering

High achiever: A Bridgehampton resident, Nathan has been on McGann-Mercy’s principal’s list every year and was named an All-American Scholar and the 2015 McGann-Mercy Scholar Athlete of the Year. An AP scholar, he was a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and the National, Math, Spanish and Science honor societies. Nathan also participated in John Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth Program, where he took additional courses and attended seminars.

Getting involved: Nathan belonged to the Science Bowl Club and was a junior volunteer firefighter for Bridgehampton Fire Department. He was also a member of the Academic Team and a mentor for  international students and freshmen. Additionally, he participated in the McGann-Mercy Pond Project, which developed a stable ecosystem in the school pond.

Love of the water: Nathan participated on the varsity rowing team all four years of high school and held the captain position with the Peconic Community Rowing Association’s men’s team during his junior and senior years. Over the summer, he taught children how to row as a coach for the Peconic Rowing Team and East End Rowing Institute. He enjoys swimming and will work as a lifeguard this summer.

Parting words: “[Mercy] may be small, but there is a sense of community that is different from anywhere else. I was given many opportunities there and they have helped me become the person I am today.”