Meet Lynbrook's Valedictorian And Salutatorian

Lynbrook High School seniors Arpie Bakhshian and Anna Rath were recently named valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, for the class of 2020. Both have made a name for themselves at Lynbrook High School, not only for their impressive academic accomplishments but for their positive contributions to the school and community.

Bakhshian, the school’s valedictorian, was selected as a nominee in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program and earned the title of Long Island Scholar Artist from the Long Island Arts Alliance. She is also a musician, performing in regional and state music festivals, the school’s chamber and pit orchestras and as concertmaster in the Long Island Youth Orchestra. Her music abilities have led to membership into the school’s Tri-M Music Honor Society.

Bakhshian also has a passion for science and is involved in the school’s Science Research Program, where she has spent the past two summers as an intern conducting independent research at Weill Cornell Medicine. She has attended STEM courses at Brown University, is the founder and president of the school’s Women in STEM program and participates in Science Olympiad. In addition, she is a talented tennis player who was captain of the varsity tennis team for singles.

Rath, the school’s salutatorian, is also a standout student. She was selected as a finalist in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program and is now in the running to be considered for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million. Rath was part of the school’s Active Citizen Teens Club and has a love for theater. She has been a cast member in the school plays and has volunteered at Molloy College’s Madison Theatre.

Linguistics is also a major passion of hers as she the president of the school’s Italian Club and has spent the past two summers at Harvard University taking classes in Italian, Spanish, historical linguistics and even theatrical directing.

Due to both student’s high academic success, they received membership into the school’s National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society and Math Honor Society where both serve as co-vice-presidents. Academics aside, Bakhshian and Rath also enjoy giving back. Bakhshian volunteers her time as a tennis instructor in Lynbrook and volunteers at the Armenian Prelacy of New York’s Orphan Sponsorship Program in New York City. Rath is heavily involved in the tutoring program at Lynbrook High School where she helps her peers in subject areas that they are struggling with.