Schools

Levittown School Board Honors MacArthur Valedictorian, Salutatorian from Wantagh

Melissa Slyper with Lauren Saunders recognized by their principal for academic achievements.

Principal Kathleen Valentino recognized two Wantagh residents as the school’s valedictorian and salutatorian for the class of 2012 during last Wednesday’s Levittown Board of Education meeting.

This year’s MacArthur valedictorian is Melissa Slyper with Lauren Saunders named salutatorian. Both Slyper and Saunders attended Lee Road Elementary in Wantagh as youngsters.

Slyper was named MacArthur's valedictorian with a GPA of 101.3615. Among Slyper's achievements include being named an  this past January. She is an AP Scholar with distinction, represented MacArthur at the Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Council and is a captain of the tennis team.

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In addition to her academic accomplishments, Slyper volunteers at the Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow and traveled to New Orleans to help rebuild homes affected by Hurricane Katrina. She applied to Harvard, Yeshiva, Yale and Stony Brook Universities with the goal of becoming a cardiologist. 

“It is eminently fitting that the young woman with so much heart wants to take care of others," said Valentino of Slyper.

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Saunders achieved MacArthur’s salutatorian with a GPA of 101.2643. Saunders was named a in February, is an AP Scholar with Distinction, captain of the school’s marching band color guard and was a member of the MacArthur team that participated in Cablevision’s "." She also spent a summer in a pre-college program at Brown University. 

"Lauren’s dedication and ability to focus on a goal are evident in her many accolades, accomplishments and activities," Valentino aid. "Whatever activity Lauren engages in soon leads to an award or recognition for her accomplishments."

Saunders is planning to pursue a physics degree and is waiting to hear from Boston University, Brown and the University of Chicago.


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