Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School held its fourth annual Voice to Voice Leadership induction ceremony for the 2021 cohort on Feb. 11. While this year’s event was done virtually, the newest inductees still had the support of the administration, board of education members and current leaders during the remote event.

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Assistant Principal Tamika Eason welcomed guests to the ceremony and offered opening remarks. Class of 2021 salutatorian and current leader Sofia Lounici spoke about the program and what it has meant to her personally during her time in the high school. “The Voice to Voice program has given me a sense of belonging,” she said. “The support that every member has for one another really fosters a sense of sisterhood.”

Ms. Eason echoed those sentiments and praised the leaders for their hard work and dedication. “You all have displayed the character, courage and commitment to enhance our school community and the world at large,” she said. “You all possess the characteristics of a good leader. Be willing to do the things that make you uncomfortable. Don’t be afraid to make history; be encouraged to break barriers and shatter glass ceilings.”

The newest members then recited the Voice to Voice pledge. The district congratulates the newest Voice to Voice inductees: Rebecca Alara, Arleni Alvarez Almonte, Emily Diaz, Brianna Pugh, Theresa Soraire, Alice Sztabinski, Klara Thelusma and Victoria Wheby.

Copiague School District recognized and celebrated the accomplishments of its top 20 students in the Class of 2021 with virtual Top 20 celebration on Jan. 29. Board of Education members, central administrators and invited faculty members joined the top 20 students for the event.

Each top 20 student had the opportunity to choose one special teacher from the district who had a positive influence on them. Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Principal Joseph Agosta welcomed guests and students. Mr. Agosta then offered a brief biography of each student, noting their accomplishments, awards and future goals and endeavors for college and their career. Each student expressed their gratitude to the teacher who inspired them during their time in the Copiague School District. 

The district congratulates the top 20 students (in order beginning with No. 20): Arlin Alvarez Almonte; Joseph Andreotti; Steycie Louis; Oktay Yildiz; Tyler Rosario; Elizabeth Garrovillas; Marcel Torres; Adam Antosiak; Edric Rosario; Morgan Weeks; Aniyah Woods; Jayleen Garcia; Sophia Bright; Samantha Gonzalez; Aidan Murphy; Ryan Bott; Anna Carvajal; Edinelly Peguero Rosario; salutatorian Sofia Lounici; and valedictorian Kiran Ahmad.

Two Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School seniors – No. 4-ranked Anna Carvajal and No. 7-ranked Samantha Gonzalez – have been named QuestBridge Scholars.

QuestBridge’s National College Match is a college scholarship application process that helps outstanding high school seniors gain admission and full four-year scholarships to the nation’s most selective colleges. Anna has matched with Princeton University and Samantha with Haverford College.

Out of more than 18,500 applicants, QuestBridge selected 6,885 finalists to be considered for the QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship. This year, QuestBridge’s 42 college partners matched with a record number of 1,464 finalists, who are recognized as Match Scholarship Recipients. The Match Scholarship is offered as part of a financial aid package provided by the college that covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board, books and supplies, and travel expenses.

Ranked fourth in her class, Anna has a weighed GPA of 103.17. Academically, she has been named an AP Scholar with Distinction, has received awards in the Covantage and LISEF programs and is part of the National and Tri-M Music honor societies. Anna is an active member of the Key Club, One Mind Club, Treehuggerz Club and Global Ambassadors. She plans to study chemical and biological engineering at Princeton.

Samantha is also an AP Scholar with Distinction and boasts a GPA of 101.98. She has been part of the mentorship science program at Farmingdale State College and was one of 10 students accepted into the summer marine studies enrichment program run by BOCES. Samantha received a STEP stipend award and was chosen to attend the STEP conference in Albany last year. She is a member of the Student Council and has been part of the National and Tri-M Music honor societies, Key Club and Science Olympiad. Samantha plans to study chemistry at Haverford.