SCHOOLS

Finding time to do it all at Clarke

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Valedictorian Justin Melkun and Salutatorian Ryan Seerattan live one block away from each other.
Valedictorian Justin Melkun and Salutatorian Ryan Seerattan live one block away from each other.
Julie Mansmann/Herald

Although they did not attend the same elementary school, Justin Melkun and Ryan Seerattan grew up one block from each other in Salisbury. By the time they both got to W.T. Clarke High School, they’d see each other at their respective bus stops before 7 a.m. each day.

Melkun, a three-sport athlete, typically returned home from football or track practice at 6 p.m. And whether he was playing tennis or staying after classes for DECA meetings, Seerattan also regularly spent long days at Clarke.

In spite of their many and varied extracurricular activities, Melkun and Seerattan excelled academically. Graduating with a 109.843 grade-point average, Melkun was the class of 2016 valedictorian; Seerattan, who had a 108.806 GPA, was the salutatorian.

Melkun said that time management was all part of the grind. “It’s definitely worth sacrificing those few extra hours of sleep to get the full high school experience and still be successful academically,” he said. “I would definitely lose that sleep to do what I did again.”

Noting that they were grateful for all of the opportunities Clarke afforded them, Melkun and Seerattan described their years at the school as a fun and interesting ride. At Sunday’s graduation ceremony, they said goodbye to classmates who they said have become like family.

The pair have been in countless classes together, and they were involved in many of the same after-school activities. The 17-year-olds both took Advanced Placement, college-level and honors courses; took part in scores of math and science fairs and competitions together, including the Intel Science Search (in which Seerattan received a special badge for having one of the most innovative projects this year); became members of almost all of Clarke’s honor societies; and joined DECA, a group for those interested in marketing, management and entrepreneurship; and Mathletes.

Both graduates will also focus on the sciences in college. Melkun plans to major in electrical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, while Seerattan will study neuroscience at the Macaulay Honors College at the City University of New York-Queens.

Melkun said that a television show called “Myth Busters” sparked his interest in science. Seerattan said he also knew he wanted to pursue a career in the field at a young age.

“I’m a Type 1 diabetic, so I’ve always wanted to become an endocrinologist,” he said. “I want to go into that field and help other people.”

Seerattan also has an interest in business, and was the co-president of DECA. He placed second in a contest featuring groups from across the state, and has competed at the international level as well.

Melkun also attended the DECA state conference this year. That trip, in addition to many others he has taken with fellow Clarke musicians, will always be memorable, he said. Playing alto saxophone, he was a member of the marching band, the wind and jazz ensembles and the brass band. Seerattan went the orchestral route, playing viola in the advanced chamber group.

Melkun was a running back and safety for the football team, and ran winter and spring track. Seerattan was captain of the tennis team.

“I’m glad I wasn’t that valedictorian that just streamlined to get a 120 average and did nothing but study all day,” Melkun said. “I’m really glad I sort of put my hand in a lot of those different pots. It all helps you develop as a social creature, and you form a lot of friendships and interact with different groups of people.”

Melkun advised current and future Clarke students to get involved in sports, musical groups and the variety of clubs his alma mater has to offer. Seerattan also recommended that teens attend events like battle of the classes and spring musicals, which helped him get to know many of his peers in an already tight-knit school community.

“I think I’ve always appreciated how small it is, because you never feel lost,” Seerattan said of Clarke. “You always have a place here. … I’ll miss being here every day.”