The Shoreham-Wading River Class of 2017’s valedictorian Anthony Peraza is continuing an unexpected “tradition” in the Shoreham-Wading River School District. He is not the first in his family to have received such high academic honors. In 2014, his brother, Matthew, was named the salutatorian.

The Peraza brothers are not the first siblings to have made earning the top student status a family affair. In fact, since 2006, the district has boasted a total of five sets of siblings, who have been named salutatorian and valedictorian including the Perazas.

In 2006, William Throwe was named valedictorian and his sister, Emily, served as salutatorian in 2009. The 2009 valedictorian was Katelyn Gostic, whose sister, Michelle, followed as salutatorian in 2011 and their sister, Cari, was named as valedictorian in 2013. In 2010, Iris Yu served as salutatorian and her sister, Spring, was valedictorian in 2015. In 2014, Maxwell Maritato was named valedictorian and his brother, Nicholas, was salutatorian in 2016.

“To have several sets of siblings be at the top of their classes really is a testament to their families,” said Principal Dan Holtzman.