Students receive high school’s top honor
The Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District recently announced Tyler Fenton and Evan Rinder as the Class of 2015 valedictorian and salutatorian respectively at John F. Kennedy High School.
“Throughout the past four years, both Tyler and Evan have achieved immense success inside and outside the classroom and have served as excellent role models for their peers,” said Dr. Lorna Lewis, Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District Superintendent of Schools. “I know the opportunities they experienced while at school have done more than prepare them for college and we are excited to see all Tyler and Evan will accomplish in the years to come.”
Fenton was named a National Merit Finalist and excelled in 10 AP classes, in addition to a variety of college-level courses. Fenton also conducted research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where he examined if blueberries could have a positive outcome when treating breast cancer.
Rinder was also recently named a National Merit Scholarship finalist and received school, state and national honors in math, social studies, science, English, world languages and music. He took 10 AP courses and received the AP scholar award in recognition of exemplary performance on AP exams.
Outside the classroom, Fenton and Rinder participated in a number of activities and took on multiple leadership roles. Fenton is the founder of the Ride 4 the Ribbon fundraiser. He created, organized, coordinated and hosted this annual event, which donates all proceeds to the Conquer Cancer Foundation. He has helped raise over $18,000 to date. In addition, Fenton is the treasurer of the DECA club, a business competition team, where he has placed in multiple competitions. He is also the Vice President of the Peer Mentor Program, a member of a club travel soccer team and the National, Science, Business and Spanish Honor Societies.
Rinder is the treasurer for both the National and Science Honor Societies, and a member of the Spanish and Tri-M Music Honor Societies. He is a member of the Mathletes where he competes in academic contests with other schools and holds the role of Lead Trumpet in the school marching band. Rinder also volunteers as a “Book Buddy” at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library to inspire a love of reading and foster self-esteem with elementary school students.
Tyler Fenton will pursue a major in economics and finance at Duke University in the fall, and Evan Rinder will be attending University of Michigan in the fall where he will study Biomedical Engineering.
For more information regarding Plainview-Old Bethpage Schools, visit www.pob.k12.ny.us or the district’s Facebook page facebook.com/pobschools.
