Sullivans lead the way

Salutatorian Thomas “TJ” Sullivan and Valedictorian Grace Sullivan said they had great experiences at Wantagh High.

Courtesy Wantagh School District

Hundreds of relatives, friends and neighbors of the Wantagh High School class of 2017 descended on the gymnasium last Friday for commencement. While leafing through the program for the ceremony, they might have wondered if the valedictorian and salutatorian — Grace Sullivan and Thomas Sullivan, respectively — were related. 

Although the students are not family members, they have more in common than their surname. Both excelled in the sciences and took part in extracurricular activities ranging from sports to community service, and they are proud to call Wantagh home. 

“Wantagh really is a community,” Grace said. “Everyone is genuinely really happy for one another and their accomplishments. You don’t find that kind of support at many schools.” 

Grace, who finished her high school career with a 106.53 grade  point average, was a National Merit semifinalist and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor. She was also vice president of the National Honor Society, president of the National Science Honor Society and a member of the National Art Honor Society. 

District officials noted that she earned many academic accolades over the course of her high school career, including an Honors Award at the Long Island Science Congress; winning the Daughters of the American Revolution essay contest twice; taking home the Harvard Book Award; and being accepted into Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program. 

Grace said that she honed her time-management skills in high school, because she had to balance her classwork and after-school activities. She was the president of the student government and the Science Olympiad team, co-captain of the Rube Goldberg team and Key Club treasurer. She was also an All-Conference and All-County athlete, running with the cross-country and winter and spring track teams for four years. 

“I’ve definitely always tried to set goals for myself, and my hard work paid off,” she said. “It didn’t always feel like work, though. There have been so many amazing little moments along the way.” 

Grace is headed to Washington and Lee University in Virginia in the fall. She hopes to become a surgical oncologist. “A lot of my family members and close friends have been affected by cancer, so I’d love to be able to help others in this way,” she said. “I want to give back.”

Thomas, who is best known to his classmates as TJ, is also planning a career in the sciences. He is headed to Georgetown University to study physiatry — a branch of medicine in which the focus is enhancing and restoring functional ability and quality of life to people with physical impairments or disabilities. 

“I’m a little nervous about going away to school,” TJ said. “Making new friends, developing new study routines and staying in shape seems a little overwhelming. But Wantagh helped prepare me and make me a better person.” 

Finishing high school with a 105.74 GPA, he was also vice president of both the National Honor Society and the National Science Honor Society, as well as the recipient of the University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Award for Science. He was named an A.P. Scholar with Distinction and a Nassau County Basketball A-2 scholar-athlete. 

TJ played cello in the symphonic and chamber orchestras, and competed with the Mathletes, Rube Goldberg and Science Olympiad teams. He was also a founding member of the Wellness Club and a member of International Outreach, and a volunteer at Camp ANCHOR. 

Both Sullivans said they hoped their classmates would remember them as more than just the valedictorian and salutatorian. They agreed that they would like to be known, first and foremost, as good friends. 

Jacqueline Lennon, the students’ guidance counselor, said she certainly wouldn’t forget them. “I’m so proud to have been able to partake in their journey,” she said. “They have each worked so hard in the past few years. Their titles are well-deserved.”