Beauty And Brains—You Go, Girls!
The Great Neck Public Schools Class of 2016 spotlights 590 graduates from the three high schools: 255 from North, 317 from South and 18 from Village, with more than 97 percent pursuing higher education at either two- or four-year colleges. The remainder typically seek employment, vocational training or enlistment in the Armed Services. Graduation ceremonies for North and South High Schools were held on Thursday, June 23, at LIU Post’s Tilles Center, with South’s ceremony in the morning and North’s in the afternoon. Village School’s graduation was held at the school on Wednesday afternoon, June 22.
The top five students from North and South High Schools include these valedictorians and salutatorians.
Valedictorians
The John L. Miller–Great Neck North High School co-valedictorians are Graelin Mandel and Isabelle Sehati. The William A. Shine–Great Neck South High School valedictorian is Emily Bae.
North High Co-Valedictorian Graelin Mandel is an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction (earning perfect scores on her six exams), National Merit Scholarship Commended Student, Intel Science Talent Search semifinalist, and Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology semifinalist. She was vice president of DECA business club and won several DECA awards including Overall Finalist at the DECA International Career and Development Fair, and First and Second Place awards at state and regional events. Mandel was a National Latin Exam Gold winner, First Place for News Design in the LI Press High School Journalism Competition, Dartmouth Book Award winner, and NCTE Promising Young Writer. She won awards in several science competitions, including LI Science and Engineering Fair, Nassau County Science Fair, WAC Lighting Fair and LI Psychology Fair. She earned First Place at the University of Pennsylvania Law School Moot Court Competition, Honorable Mention at the University of Pennsylvania Model Congress, and a Bronze Medal for Independent Research at the Al Kalfus Math Fair. Mandel was co-editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, Guide Post, Model Congress president and treasurer of Intel Club and Science Research Club. She plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania in the fall.
North High Co-Valedictorian Isabelle Sehati is an Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor. She was a First and Third Place winner at the New York State DECA Conference and participated at the DECA International Career Development Conference. She was the recipient of a Nassau County Legislature Certificate of Recognition, New York State Assembly Certificate of Merit and New York State Senate Award. Sehati was an All-County Music Festival Band flutist and member of the LI Honors Flute Choir. She was a DECA officer and a peer leader. Sehati will be attending SUNY Binghamton in the fall.
South High Valedictorian Emily Bae is an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction, National Merit Scholarship finalist and an Intel Science Talent Search semifinalist. She was a Gold medalist in the National Spanish Exam and the National Latin Exam, and took a First Place at the HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) State Conference. Bae took Third Place at the WAC Science Research Fair, earned the President’s Award for Academic Excellence and participated in the St. John’s University Science Honors Program for high school students. She was a Scholar Athlete and a member of the Tennis Conference II Championship Team. She was president of HOSA, a member of the Student Activities Committee and of DECA, and earned the Girl Scout Silver Award. Bae volunteered at COPAY (Community Organization for Parents and Youth), LI Jewish Medical Center and North Shore University Hospital Junior Volunteer Program. She conducted research at NYU Langone Medical Center. Bae plans to attend Yale University.
Salutatorians
The John L. Miller–Great Neck North High School salutatorian is Leael Alishahian. The William A. Shine-Great Neck South High School salutatorian is Annie Yang.
North High Salutatorian Leael Alishahian is an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. She was a peer leader and a member of Model UN, Pre-Med Club and DECA. She was captain of varsity field hockey, named varsity gymnastics Most Dedicated Player and was a member of the badminton team. Alishahian is a fire medic with the Vigilant Engine & Hook & Ladder Company and a lifeguard at Parkwood Pool. She will be attending SUNY Binghamton in the fall.
South High Salutatorian Annie Yang is an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction and a National Merit Scholarship finalist. She earned First Place in the New York State HOSA Fall Leadership Conference, First Place in the LI Regional National History Day Competition and a Gold Certificate at the Nassau County Interscholastic Math League Competition. Yang was a Silver medalist in the National Spanish Exam and took Second Place in the New York State National History Day Competition and Science Olympiad Nassau West Regional Competition. She was a NCTE Achievement Award in Writing winner and was selected for the St. John’s University Science Honors Program for high school students. Yang was an assistant editor and web manager for the school newspaper, The Southerner, and a member of Science Olympiad, Math Team and HOSA. She is a NYSSMA Level 6 pianist and violinist, and a member of the school Chamber Orchestra and string program. Yang plans to attend Duke University.
Learn about the other Class of 2016 award winners here and here.
Read the complete graduation speeches from the Great Neck North Class of 2016: Adir Vegon, Graelin Mandel, Isabelle Sehati and from Great Neck South: Annabelle Golden, Annie Yang, Emily Bae, Haley Roach, Lance Kim and Michael Shen.
See who the 2016 Great Neck North graduates are here.
For a complete list of Great Neck South High School graduates, click here.
Find out who graduated from The Village School here.
