Valley Stream’s top scholars stay motivated

The Valley Stream valedictorians and salutatorians of the class of 2017 come from diverse backgrounds, but they have one thing in common: their love for their schools.

In fact, the valedictorian and salutatorian from North High School attribute their success to their teachers. Valedictorian Jonathan Chen said that his teachers at North inspired him to get high marks. “They [teachers] are really approachable and they…make it seem like they’re always there to support you, which they are,” said Jonathan Chen, the valedictorian for Valley Stream North High School, adding that his Italian teacher, Ms. Scaglione, motivates him to do his best. “I want to do as well as I can on the AP [exam] for her more than me actually, because she’s such a great teacher,” he said.

Salutatorian Sahar Caravan also said that her teachers have helped her to succeed. She said that Ms. Kramer, the advisor for the It’s Academic trivia team, constantly gives advice to students who needed help. Teachers such as Ms. Kramer, Caravan said, helped her become more extroverted and comfortable in Valley Stream. “I’ve been to seven schools, … and I have the most connection with this school, not just because I’ve lived here the longest but because the school gave us an opportunity to be close,” she said.

The valedictorian and salutatorian of Valley Stream Central, however, said that their extracurricular activities have helped them to succeed. Valedictorian Sophia Grunin said that she was not interested in joining Future Business Leaders of America as a sophomore, when her older sister asked her to join. Once she joined, however, Grunin said she was more outspoken. Last year, she won first place in her public speaking event at the Future Business Leaders of America conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

Future Business Leaders of America also improved Salutatorian Gabriella Reyes’ English. When she was younger Reyes only spoke Spanish, but when she came to Valley Stream in kindergarten she was put into English as a Second Language classes. Reyes then had to take several reading courses, and by middle school she was fluent. She said that she was surprised when she was admitted into the Future Business Leaders of America club. “I just think that the most I’ve accomplished is being able to use my language, being able to publicly speak,” she said, adding that her newly-found public speaking ability has enabled her to take on leadership roles such as the president of the Seekers Christian Club and the secretary of the school’s National Honors Society chapter.

In Valley Stream South High School, it is the students that motivate each other. “I feel like the best part of South is the students,” said Valedictorian Wesley Tsai. “Whether it’s upperclassmen who graduated or underclassmen, everyone’s just really supportive of each other.”

Salutatorian Jessica Ma said that she is grateful for her friends who are always pushing her to do her best, but her main inspiration comes from her grandfather. Ma said that her grandfather grew up as a farmer. In order for him to get an education he would walk about 50 miles to the school. Her grandfather’s story, Ma said, shows her that “it’s okay to push past your boundaries because once you get there, it’s something beautiful and something that will make you proud.”