Kate Santoli and Erick Diaz were recently announced as the valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, of the LHS Class of 2025. Both are extremely diligent students who are highly respected by their peers and teachers. As they have pursued their interests and strengthened their knowledge throughout their academic careers, both Santoli and Diaz have garnered a long list of accomplishments as well as memories along the way.
Valedictorian Santoli’s main academic interests lie in the sciences, specifically in the behavioral research she has conducted within the Lybrook Science Research program. Santoli expressed, “My favorite class is Science Research because of our tight-knit community in which we always support each other, [and because of] the many opportunities that research offers such as entering competitions, working in labs, real laboratory equipment…and the ability for us to research our own passions independently.” Through Science Research, Santoli traveled to Albuquerque, New Mexico, for the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) Nationals, which she described as a surreal and life-changing experience. Santoli also worked in the Youth Trauma Recovery Lab at Hofstra University’s Department of Psychology this summer to research the effect of childhood trauma on mental health, as well as how to break down barriers to receiving health services for minorities. Her role involved recruiting participants, designing marketing materials, and creating questionnaires for the study.
Santoli also spends a large portion of her time serving her community with Key Club as a co-president, and has been an active member throughout high school. Santoli shared that Key Club has been one of her most impactful high school extracurriculars: “I love being able to see the real differences we are making in people’s lives during our events like blood drives, events at the Sunrise Senior Living Center, and golf tournaments, as well as fundraisers like our Double Good popcorn sale, car washes, and t-shirt sponsorships. I’ve also loved being co-president this year and taking on more work behind the scenes.” Santoli also serves as co-president of National Math Honor Society, secretary of Science National Honor Society, secretary of Women in STEM, co-captain of Mathletes, and she tutors students in geometry, Earth Science, Living Environment, algebra, in addition to coaching a youth girls’ volleyball team.
When asked if she had any advice for future seniors, Santoli responded, “One piece of advice is to not let the years slip by. High school goes by really fast, and focusing solely on test grades can make you miss out on fun activities, friendships, and other opportunities.” Following her high school graduation, Santoli will be attending Washington University in St. Louis as a cognitive neuroscience major. She hopes to continue to pursue research both within college and beyond.
Although Santoli’s incredible academic achievements make her deserving of this honor, she said she could not have done it alone. “I’d like to thank my parents for always pushing me to work hard and being my biggest supporters. I’d also like to thank Ms. McAuley, Dr. T, Mrs. Hanley, and Mr. Vessalico for always supporting me and being my role models and mentors. Their enthusiasm made me more passionate about school and the subjects I want to pursue,” she explained.
Salutatorian Erick Diaz has also garnered a lot of experience throughout his time at LHS. Similar to Santoli, Diaz’s favorite subjects are math and science. Diaz said, “My favorite class this year is AP Calculus BC. I really enjoy it because it is definitely a challenging course, but it teaches me both my limits and [how] to push myself forward. I also enjoy the class because of the friends I have made in it, and being able to spend time and be challenged with them makes the class more enjoyable.” In addition to BC Calculus, Diaz takes part in Lynbrook’s Science Research program. Diaz credits Science Research for “[his] passion for science, [his] future career aspirations, and becoming friends with [his] tight-knit and small class.” Diaz recommends any incoming freshman who is unsure of what he/she wants to do in the future to join Science Research. “It does not just teach us about the scientific methods but also real-world skills necessary for a successful future,” he said. Diaz went to the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in Manhasset this summer where he studied Alzheimer’s disease.
Like Santoli, Diaz also serves as co-president of Key Club and has spent an immense amount of his high school career helping others. Diaz commented, “Serving as current co-president and being a part of it for all four years of high school, I have been able to physically see and be a part of the change that this club makes in our community and beyond. From raising tens of thousands of dollars for different charities and organizations to having met some of my closest friends, I definitely feel that Key Club has shaped the person I am today. I am grateful to have joined Key Club and been given the opportunity to lead this club to success.” Diaz also serves as co-president of Birthday Wishes, SCOPE, and Future Doctors of American Association (F.D.A.A.). He is vice president of Students Taking Active Roles Together (S.T.A.R.T.) club, Science National Honor Society, and National Math Honor Society. In addition, in his free time, Diaz tutors students in mathematics.
When asked if he had any advice for future seniors, Diaz responded, “The most important lesson that I have learned in high school comes from my sophomore English teacher, Ms. Mitchell. She would always stress how one test does not define you. This lesson has stuck with me during my years here at LHS and has mitigated my stress about taking tests. In such challenging courses, it is easy to be overwhelmed by stress and competition, which can cause burnout, but this lesson has changed my perspective on learning and has allowed me to focus more on gaining knowledge and less on being perfect. Such a lesson is what I believe I owe to receiving the title of Salutatorian, and [this lesson] will continue to stick with me throughout my future education.”
Diaz also expressed that he believes he could not have received this honor without his support system. “I want to thank my parents for always stressing the importance of education and the necessity for knowledge to fuel my endeavors. My parents did not grow up with the privilege to receive such an education as I did, and having the ability to pursue what they dreamed of has made me eternally grateful for their support and motivation through every challenge and struggle I have faced. Likewise, I would like to thank Ms. Mitchell, Dr. T, Mr. Vessalico, and Mrs. Mantikas for serving as role models and mentors throughout my high school journey and being such passionate educators who have led me to form such aspirations for my future career. Without enthusiastic teachers like them, I do not believe I would be in the position I am in today.” Next year, Diaz will be attending Johns Hopkins University and plans to study either biology, chemistry, or neuroscience on the pre-medicine track to become an anesthesiologist.
When asked about the two as students, their Science Research teacher, Kathleen McAuley, said, “Kate and Erick are both fantastic students, true role models for their peers and for future students. Anyone who knows them also sees how humble they both are. When you work in a group with them during class or see how they run a club meeting, you can tell that they are both such intelligent and humble people.”
“Kate and Erick are hard-working students who push themselves both in and outside the classroom. The sky is the limit. I cannot wait to see what the two of you accomplish. They will be missed next year!” Key Club advisor and business teacher Benedict Tieniber commented. McAuley added, “I am so incredibly proud of both of [them] and thrilled that [they’re] carrying on the tradition of having science researchers as valedictorian and salutatorian!”
