Riverhead High School Class of 2016: Valedictorian and salutatorian bios

Class of 2016 Valedictorian: Peter Cook

Peter has a weighted grade point average of 109.729. He will attend Cornell University in the fall, and plans to major in electrical engineering.

Academic Distinction and Honors
Peter received a scholarship from the Brookhaven National Lab. He is an officer of the National Honor Society, a member of the National Foreign Language Honor Society and has won several academic awards throughout his high school career. He was recognized as a National AP Scholar as a junior and was chosen as the Renssalaer Math Medalist award winner.

Achievement in Music
In addition to his academic excellence, Peter played the trombone in the Senior Band, Jazz Band, Pep Band and HMEA Honors Band, and played the piano with the Pit Orchestra. He won a seat this year in the All National Band.

Athletics and other clubs
In addition to his academic excellence, Peter is an avid runner and has been a member of the varsity cross country and winter/spring track teams for the past four years. He is an active member of the Science Club, was the Captain of the Certamen Latin Club, which won first place in this year’s Certamen, and is a member of the Math Club, Mentathletes, and the Coding Club.

Volunteerism, Community Service and Work Experience
Peter finds time to volunteer as a Church Youth Organization Volunteer, is a Riverhead Community Awareness Program (CAP) volunteer, and helps recycle paper with the Science Club. Peter’s “free” time is spent working a part-time job, in the past as an ice cream cart vendor at Bub’s Daddy Ice Cream, as a cashier and server at Tri-State Concessions, and, most recently, he was an IT Intern at the Suffolk County National Bank.

Personal Statement
“One project in my AP Physics class was the construction of a Rube Goldberg machine, and I have yet to complete an assignment quite as enjoyable since. I thought that the hands-on experience was wonderful and interesting, but our contraption did not work as intended. Thus, my interest in some kind of engineering was sparked. I wanted to learn how to apply the mathematics and concepts taught in the classroom towards a more successful result. Though my understanding of the topics taught is usually comprehensive, I want to make the connection that engineering offers, and therefore it will become my main focus in college. That being said, I love to learn new information about how the practical world works, and to systematize it with mathematics: I savor any physical concepts taught. In fact, in my school, I have been known for deriving formulas that only I use, because at first glance they look overly convoluted, though they seem to work better for me.

I am also interested in studying computer science, though perhaps not on the same level as general engineering or physics, on account of a job experience I had. Last summer, I interned at Suffolk County National Bank, and my interest in computer science was sparked. I noticed other workers manipulating screens full of code and designing websites. Since the number of tasks given to me was small, I began to teach myself java using an online guide, mostly to make time pass more quickly. Soon, however, I realized that I was intrigued by the topic, and wanted to learn more. If possible, I would like to continue in college on a more professional level.

After college, I hope to become a successful engineer in a cutting-edge field, following the inspiration I received in my schooling. I desire such an occupation not only to help satisfy my never-ending supply of scientific curiosities, but also to help advance the world with improved technology. I can think of no greater honor than making discoveries, and someday I hope to do just that.”

Class of 2016 Salutatorian: Joseph Messina

Joseph has a weighted grade point average of 109. He will be attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the fall, and plans to major in nuclear engineering.

Academic and Music Achievements
Joey Messina is the salutatorian for a highly competitive Class of 2016, and has maintained a 109 percent weighted average over his four years at Riverhead High School. He was an AP Scholar with Distinction as a junior.

Extracurriculars, Sports and Leadership
Joey’s ability to balance extracurricular clubs, community service activities and varsity sports, with one of the most intense and rigorous programs offered at Riverhead High School, illustrates his exemplary time management skills. In addition to the National Honor Society and National Foreign Language Honor Society, Joey is a member of the Math and Spanish Clubs, and Mentathletes. Joey is also on Riverhead’s Winter and Spring Track Team, as well as the Cross Country Team.

Work Life
Joey has held a part-time job at the Atlantis Aquarium as a line cook.

Personal Statement
“I attribute my success in high school to hard work. With determination and hard work one can achieve anything.”

Source: Riverhead Central School District.