Riley Haas is Locust Valley High School’s valedictorian

Riley Haas, an exceptional student with a deep passion for math and science, has been named valedictorian of Locust Valley High School’s Class of 2024. This recognition comes after years of hard work and dedication, both in and out of the classroom.

Haas, originally from Bayville, moved to Locust Valley during her elementary school years. She quickly established herself as a student with a keen interest in the sciences.

“I am definitely more of a math and science person. That’s why I’m going into engineering,” Haas said. “The past two years I’ve taken the IB Diploma Program, which is an advanced program where you can earn a more advanced diploma. I’ve always taken honors or AP or IB classes in all subject areas.”

Among her favorite subjects, physics stands out. This love for physics and engineering has guided her academic choices and extracurricular involvement.

“I’ve always liked science because it’s very concrete and in physics, pretty much everything can be mathematically proven,” she explained. “I like having a definite answer and I like being able to prove it.”

Haas’s academic record is impressive, boasting a weighted average of 109.28. Her coursework includes 13 IB courses and three Advanced Placement courses. She has also been recognized as an AP Scholar.

English teacher Dr. Coleen Comerford described Haas as “attentive, patient, positive, and a thoughtful listener with a strong sense of responsibility. Beyond her stellar academics, she is remarkable for her kindness and compassion.”

Balancing academics with a plethora of extracurricular activities, Haas has been involved in varsity softball, field hockey, stage crew, and the jazz band, where she played multiple instruments including the flute, piccolo, piano, guitar, and ukulele.

She also served as the president of the Spanish Honor Society and participated in the Technology Club, Student Government, and the Unified Basketball team. Additionally, Haas volunteers at the Grenville Boys and Girls Club in Locust Valley and is an avid sailor, and is an accomplished Girl Scout.

“I’ve always pushed myself to have high grades,” Haas said. “Last year I noticed that I had a shot at valedictorian and I worked hard to get there.”

Haas credits her dedication and time management skills as the keys to her success.

“You have to know how to prioritize different activities,” Haas elaborated.
“Homework comes before extracurriculars, and school teams come before outside activities. It’s all about time management and organization.”

In the fall, Haas will attend Webb Institute, where she plans to study naval architecture and marine engineering.

Principal Patrick DiClemente recognized Haas for her stellar dedication and her well-rounded interests.

Looking back on her time at Locust Valley, Haas expressed gratitude for her teachers and the school community. She added that one aspect of Locust Valley that she will feel nostalgic about was all of the non-academic activities she’s had the opportunity to participate in while in the school district.

“I will definitely miss all of my teachers. They have been instrumental in my success for as long as I can remember,” she said. “I’ll also miss being part of a team and all the extracurricular activities. The school I’m going to is really small, and I won’t have as many of those opportunities there.”

As Haas prepares to move on to the next part of her academic journey, she reflected on her time at Locust Valley with pride and excitement for the future. She added that her story is a testament to the power of hard work, passion, and the support of a strong school community.

“I’m really excited that I’ve actually achieved this,” Haas said. “I’ve had so many really great people that have really helped me.”