A strong work ethic and a commitment to academic excellence have paid huge dividends for Wantagh High School seniors Victoria Ferraro and Ethan Chen, who have been named the class of 2026’s valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively.
Ferraro earned a weighted average of 108.428, and Chen, 108.119, 11 years after both began their academic journeys at Forest Lake Elementary School.
“I was so proud of myself, and that all my hard work and dedication paid off,” Ferraro said of the accomplishment.
In addition to taking 14 Advanced Placement courses, Ferraro is a member of Mathletes and Future Health Professionals, and serves as president of both the National Honor Society and the Math Honor Society. She is also a member of the English, science and business honor societies, as well as the World Language Honor Society for Italian.
Chen has taken 12 Advanced Placement courses, and serves as vice president of the Wantagh Animal Rights and Recycling Club. He is president of the Science National Honor Society, treasurer of both the national and math honor societies, and a member of Mathletes, Key Club and the World Language Honor Society for Italian. He is also a summer volunteer at the Wantagh Public Library.
“I was very proud of how far I’ve come since freshman year to get here,” Chen said.
Paul Guzzone, the high school’s principal, said he was proud that both students will represent the best of 2026’s graduating class.
“They are just tremendous academic scholars, but even more importantly, tremendous people,” Guzzone said. “I know that they’re going to go on and do great things and make Want
agh High School proud.”
Ferraro singled out math as her favorite subject, and said she wants to continue studying it after graduation.
“I enjoy it so much because there’s so many different ways that you can obtain such an answer,” she said, “but there’s still only one correct answer.”
Chen said he also enjoys math for its problem-solving aspect, adding that it’s “less about memorization and more about working through a problem.”
“Sometimes one problem will take you forever to just figure out how to do,” he said. “That’s what really drew me toward it.”
He expressed hopes of studying biomedical engineering in college and eventually becoming a doctor, crediting AP physics with steering him toward the engineering path.
Outside the classroom, Ferraro is a cheerleader, coaches for the Wantagh Youth Cheerleading Association’s Wantagh Arrows, serves as a volunteer tutor through the School House SAT Boot Camp program, and works as a camp counselor in Oyster Bay.
Among her accolades, Ferraro has won the Junior Award, the Harvard Book Award and the Nassau County Comptroller’s Math, Accounting and Finance Award. She is a National Merit Commended Scholar, an AP Scholar with Distinction, and has earned the AP Capstone Diploma. She is also working toward her Seal of Biliteracy in Italian.
She credited Wantagh High with giving her numerous opportunities and guidance, allowing her to excel in her studies. She added that her teachers have supported her success, offering assistance and always being available for extra help.
“I feel like my teachers have really helped me out,” she said, “and I just have been given a lot of opportunities for future success and to build my way up.”
Chen is a National Merit semifinalist, a Rensselaer Medal recipient and an AP Scholar with Distinction. He competes in cross-country, winter track and spring track, and said the school has provided him with numerous opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities.
“I have the freedom to explore whatever my passions are,” he said.
Ferraro credited her success to a strong work ethic and a willingness to put in the necessary time. For his part, Chen also cited a strong work ethic and the ability to stay organized as key factors in his achievements.
After graduation, Ferraro said, she will miss Wantagh, while Chen added that he would miss being part of a tight-knit community.
Ferraro expressed hopes of maintaining high grades, exploring new activities, and staying involved in everything she’s currently doing.
Chen said he aims to finish strong academically, and advised students to challenge themselves and stay organized so they don’t fall behind.
“Take advantage of all the opportunities and challenge yourself,” Ferraro echoed, “because the outcome could really be worth it.”
