Meet The JFK High School Valedictorian And Salutatorian

Alixandra Wilens has a way with words. She used her pen — and insatiable thirst for learning — to lead the Kennedy Class of 2017 as valedictorian.

Editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, the Cougar Crier, Wilens’ biggest academic accomplishment was being named a Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Gold Medal Writing Portfolio recipient earlier this year.

“I was chosen as one of eight recipients out of 330,000 national submissions,” she said. “This is the culmination of everything I have worked toward as a writer, and it is only the beginning.”

Wilens is a National Merit Commended Student, AP Scholar with Honor, and member of Mu Alpha Theta, National, National English, National Foreign Language and New York State Science honor societies. She is also a board member of the National Honor Society and Mock Trial.

She attributed some of her academic successes to teachers who influenced and inspired her; including her writing mentor and English teacher, Vivian DiGennaro. “I wish her class had lasted all four years,” Wilens said. “I will never see literature the same way again.”

Another teacher who made a positive impression was social studies teacher Erin Coman. “She made history sound like a best-selling novel,” Wilens said.

Wilens will double-major in history and psychology at the Hofstra University Honors College. Her advice to incoming seniors is to slow down.

“When you are on a tightrope between high school and college, do not rush to either side,” she said. “Just walk.”

Salutatorian Rebecca Stekol makes sweet music with her violin to accompany her stellar academic career at Kennedy High School.

“Throughout high school, I have tried to contribute as much to the arts programs as possible,” said Stekol. “Whether I was acting in the plays, playing violin in my school's string ensemble, or putting together volunteer performances with my chamber group, I love how the arts is a uniting force. I am so grateful to have been able to work with so many of my talented classmates.”

Stekol performs with her school orchestra and the Long Island Youth Orchestra, founded an extracurricular chamber orchestra, is the president and editor of the school’s literary magazine, Magnum Opus, and is a four-year member of the Drama Club, Pit Band and Mock Trial.

“Being a member of Magnum Opus for the past four years and the editor for the past two years was so much fun and allowed me to appreciate, learn from, and celebrate the artistic work of the students at JFK,” she said.

Stekol was a National Spanish Exam gold medalist in her first three years of high school, a National Merit Commended Student, on the executive board of the National Honor Society, president of National English Honor Society, as well as a member of the Tri-M, New York State Science and Spanish honor societies and Mu Alpha Theta.

She will study international relations at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.

Alixandra Wilens, left, and Rebecca Stekol. Photos: Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District.