At the Senior Awards Ceremony on June 13, the Manhasset School District was proud to recognize Jack Voelker and Kate Wede, valedictorian and salutatorian from Manhasset Secondary School Class of 2024.
Throughout his high school career, Jack has proven himself to be an outstanding scholar with unparalleled aptitude for science and math. He has successfully completed 18 AP Courses, including Advanced Science Research, Calculus, Physics, US History and others, and scored at the top of his class on the SAT, PSA and AP tests. His academic recognitions include National Honor Society, Triple Accelerated Advanced Placement in Mathematics and High Honor Roll. Jack has earned multiple awards for science research, including the ACAP Excellence Award from the Association of Chinese Physicians, first place at the South Asian American Woman’s Alliance Science Fair, second place at the New York State Science and Engineering Fair and High Honors from the Long Island Science Congress Juniors. His extracurricular activities include president of the Student Athlete Leadership Team, Student Government, where he served as Student Senate Representative, plus membership in Math, English, Science and Spanish Honor Societies. Outside the classroom, Jack is an accomplished muti-sport athlete and team player who has received accolades as part of the football, basketball and lacrosse programs. He is also the founder of All Latitudes Lacrosse, a nonprofit organization that connects donated lacrosse equipment to youth programs in developing countries around the world. Jack Voelker will be attending Duke University in the fall and majoring in Biomedical Engineering.
Kate is an exceptional student who found a balance between her ambitious course load, remarkable leadership skills, passion for community service, and athletics. In the classroom, she has excelled in 16 AP courses including Calculus B/C, Physics C, Chemistry, World History and others, and scored at the top of her class on the SAT and AP exams. She is a National Merit Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction, two-time Gold Medalist at the Al Kalfus Math Fair, and Gold Medalist on the National Spanish Exam. Her interest in science led her to a clinical research internship at Northwell Health and her research was published in JBRA Assisted Reproduction, a peer-reviewed medical journal. Her research was also recognized nationally at the American Society of Reproductive Medicine Conference in 2022. Kate has served as Class President for three years and held leadership roles in a multitude of clubs including Co-President of the National Honor Society, Vice President of the Engineering Club, Secretary of the Economics Club, and Treasurer of the Math Honor Society. She is also a member of the Science, Social Studies, English, Math, and Spanish Honor Societies. As a tireless advocate for community service, Kate has been honored four times with the President’s Volunteer Service Award and she received the Town of North Hempstead Citation for her service to Adventure’s in Learning, which provides enrichment programs for underserved children and where she founded an annual Book Fair for the students. She has dedicated countless hours as a youth tennis and volleyball instructor and tutor. Kate played volleyball for 4 years on the Varsity Volleyball team and served as Captain her senior year. Kate is the recipient of Scholar Athlete and All-County awards by the Nassau Volleyball Coaches Association and competed nationally in 2022 & 2023 at USA Volleyball Junior Nationals with her club volleyball team. She looks forward to continuing her studies at Duke University this fall.
