Shoreham-Wading River High School is proud to announce that seniors
Mahdi Rashidzada and Katlynn McGivney have been named valedictorian and
salutatorian, respectively, of the Class of 2019.
Mahdi’s list of achievements includes taking 12 AP courses and six
honors courses. He is on the school’s track and field team and is vice
president of the National Honor Society, captain of the Debate Team, a
member of Mathletes, president of the National History Day Club and a
member of the Riverhead Youth Court. He has an impressive list of
accolades, including a Suffolk County Math Teachers’ Association
fourth-place honor, and school awards in Advanced Placement Chemistry,
AP Language, Spanish IV, Human Physiology and STEM.
Outside of school, he is a Sunday school teacher at the Islamic Center
of Long Island, was involved in a local political campaign as an intern
and volunteers for Long Island Cares and Stony Brook Hospital. He was
also named an RPI Science and Mathematics scholar and a New York State
Debate qualifier. He has received National Merit commendation and
conducted research on the antimicrobial properties of herbal hydrosols
in the high school’s science lab as well as at St. Joseph’s College.
“Do what you love,” Mahdi said when asked to share some sentiments with
his fellow graduates and future seniors at the high school. “It is
important to find what you love and what you’re good at and really
pursue it.” He will major in neuroscience on the premed track and looks
forward to entering the freshman class at the University of Pennsylvania
in September.
Throughout high school, Katlynn McGivney has participated in a
well-rounded educational, academic, athletic and volunteer career. She
has taken advantage of the school’s numerous Advanced Placement and
honors courses, and has been recognized with excellence awards in
Biology Honors, Chemistry Honors, French III and AP Capstone Seminar.
She has played volleyball since ninth grade, softball since eighth
grade, ran winter track and has received a varsity letter for three
years. Katlynn is secretary of the school’s student government and a
member of the National Honor Society as well as the Women in Science and
Engineering Club. As for community service, she enjoys her work in the
district’s Round Out summer camp as a volunteer and has also volunteered
for local community programs. She is a page at the North Shore Public
Library and plays travel softball for the Long Island Crush and club
volleyball.
Katlynn succinctly summed up some words of wisdom for her peers: “Make
the most of your high school experience and enjoy it while you can. It
will be over before you know it.” She has committed to study at Hamilton
College to pursue biochemistry and play on the softball team.
“I am proud and honored to have Mahdi and Katlynn represent
Shoreham-Wading River High School as our top two students,” Principal
Frank Pugliese said. “They both exemplify the mission and vision we all
have for our students while they are here and as they head out into
college and careers – maximizing their potential, creating responsible
citizens and fostering a lifelong appreciation for learning.”