The real Riverhead High School: An inside scoop from a current senior

How come, instead of focusing on the positive, we bring attention to the negative? When we meet someone, we should not focus on their faults but instead their good qualities — otherwise, no one would like each other. We are taught that it is better to form our own opinions about people instead of relying on others’ judgments. If this is true then how come we let other opinions determine what Riverhead High School is all about, rather than seeking out the truth for ourselves?

Former First Lady Jacquline Kennedy once said, “One man can make a difference, and every man should try.” I am a senior at Riverhead High School and have decided that someone needs to take a stand against the negative coverage of our school by some media outlets. There are so many positives about RHS that often go unnoticed simply because no one takes the time to truly explore what makes it special.

The courses that are offered at Riverhead High School are ones that cannot be compared to other schools. We have numerous Advanced Placement (AP) and honors courses that can be taken at any grade level. Some of my favorite classes that I have taken throughout my four years include SMART Physics, AP World History, AP United States History & Government, AP Calculus AB, French V , Sports Management, and English 10 Honors.

As a first-year student, you have the choice to participate in SMART Physics, a class which Riverhead is one of the only schools in Suffolk County to offer. It was one of my favorite classes in high school because of its hands-on labs and the solid foundation it provides for future Advanced Placement courses. At the end of the year, students can take the NYS Physics Regents Exam.

Beyond academics, our theater program, the Blue Masques, stage two productions every school year. In years past, performances included shows like Mean Girls, Newsies, and Sweeney Todd. Every year, they have been nominated for Teeny Awards through the East End Arts and Humanities Council. These awards are very prestigious, and it is an honor to be nominated for one. The Riverhead Blue Masques have been nominated for 23 Teeny Awards for their amazing productions of Sweeney Todd and Something Rotten! The students that are part of the shows are extremely talented and dedicated to the performing arts. These performances are always open to the community and display the incredible talent of our students.

I believe our music department is one of the best on Long Island. There are so many opportunities in the program. Students have the chance to participate in the marching band, pep band, wind ensemble, pit orchestra, chamber choir, chamber orchestra, concert band, symphonic band, symphonic choir, concert orchestra, and symphony orchestra and to take Music Theory, AP Music Theory, Introduction to Guitar, Advanced Guitar, and Theatre Production and Performance. Select performance groups compete nationally every year. We have been to locations like Washington D.C. and Virginia Beach, where we have won multiple trophies and awards. In April, we competed in Boston, where we won various awards and showcased the talent of Riverhead High School musicians.

Fortunately, our music department is right on par with our world languages studies. Did you know that students can receive college credit for their foreign language studies? Once a student reaches the fourth level of their language, they can start receiving credits to Stony Brook University through their Accelerated College Education program. Additionally, language classes immerse students in cultural studies, music, food, and geography, with trips to places like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the opera. In addition, students have the opportunity to receive the New York State Seal of Biliteracy, which is an award certifying a student to be fluent in both English and a language of their choice.

Our athletics program, which competes in Division I of Section XI, is continuously growing and getting stronger every year. For five consecutive years, our boys golf team has won the league championship. In addition, last spring, our varsity softball and boys lacrosse teams won league championships, with the softball team making history as RHS’s first-ever undefeated league champions in the sport. This past basketball season, the boys varsity team made it to the playoffs and had a season like no other. RHS is also home to a cross-country runner who has shattered school records multiple times. And this past winter we had our first-ever girls wrestling team. Additionally, within the past couple years, a Unified Sports program was started. It brings everyone together and allows for every student to take part on a sports team. So far, the program offers bowling, soccer, basketball, and golf.

In the 2025 spring sports season, the varsity baseball team clinched a spot in the 2025 playoffs. Riverhead baseball hasn’t made it to the playoffs in 10 years. They dominated the field and have really been showing what Riverhead baseball is all about. In addition, the varsity softball team had a remarkable season as well. They have won the League Championship for the second year in a row. Additionally they have won the 2025 Suffolk County Championship, which is the first time Riverhead softball has ever made it this far. As for girls’ golf, nine players in all of Suffolk County are eligible to play in the 2025 New York State Girls Golf Championship, and two of those nine spots were filled by girls on the Riverhead varsity golf team. This is the first time in RHS history that golfers from the girl’s team have advanced to the state championship. These two golfers participated in the state championship along with a player from the boys’ varsity golf team. All of the Riverhead High School athletes are students who love their sport and are committed to bringing pride to our school.

Besides the courses, sports, and opportunities at the high school, what makes Riverhead special are the students there and the dedicated educators. The students here are going to make a difference and really change the world. Already there was a scholarship opportunity called the Waves of Opportunity scholarship, which was started by a senior at the school. In addition, there is another current senior who runs his own pickleball league called R2X, which brings students together to have fun while learning a sport that is extremely popular. Our current seniors are students that are aspiring to be pediatric oncologists, neurosurgeons, engineers, educators,physical therapists, sports agents, and so much more. Students are looking to major in fields such as finance, business, accounting, management, psychology, nursing, civil engineering, theater production, and more. There are students that will be joining the military to protect our country, and others will be attending trade school or entering the workforce.

Riverhead High School is a place that should be cherished by the community instead of being looked down upon. If you have gone to school at RHS or are a current student, you should be proud that you have walked through the doors of this school and that it’s the place where you received an education. The people of RHS are ones that are determined to make a difference, ones that spread kindness, ones that are going to be an inspiration, and ones that are going to make a pathway to the future. So instead of taking the opinion of someone else, I hope that you take a minute to listen to the truth about this school, which is creating the next generation of leaders, innovators, and hard workers.

Madison Perez is a member of the Riverhead High School Class of 2025. She lives in Calverton.