High Marks For SHS Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Every year, a new group of students graduate from high school and head on to college to pursue their dreams. Two students are typically chosen from each class as valedictorian and salutatorian. At Schreiber High School, the students with these distinctions for the Class of 2010 are Richard "Eddie" Grove as valedictorian and Nicole Meyers as salutatorian.

"It feels great to have the highest GPA at Schreiber as I have worked really hard over the years and it's good to know that it has paid off," Grove said of being named valedictorian. "It feels great to be among a group of such talented kids at Schreiber as I know that several of my classmates could have been valedictorian at many of the other schools on Long Island."

To achieve their high marks, one would think that both students simply sat in their bedrooms and only kept their heads down in their books. However, somehow the two students were able to balance their studies along with a variety of extensive clubs, activities and hobbies.

"I love to ski, hike, bike and run," Grove said. "I am also a four-year varsity member of the cross country team and a three-year varsity member of the spring track team. Track has been amazing, largely due to the efforts of my coaches, Mr. [Jeremy] Klaff and Coach [Christopher] Baker. Cross Country was particularly great this year because our team made it to States and Federations."

Meyers is part of every honors society at Schreiber, including the National Honors Society and Mu Alpha Theta and has served as president or vice president of clubs such as the Model UN during her tenure at Schreiber. She even parlayed her love of Equestrian to create the Schreiber High School Equestrian Club.

"My passion is horseback riding and it has been since I was born," Meyers said. "The time and effort I put into this sport is something that no one can truly understand unless you do it. I am in the barn taking care of and riding my horse consistently everyday for at least five or so hours." She added that she enjoys tickling the ivories in her free time.

The two Port Washington natives won't be going too far from home to attend the schools of their choice. Grove will be attending Princeton to pursue a degree in international affairs, while Meyers is going to Cornell for applied economics and business management.

"I am drawn to a major in this field because of the enormous challenges that we face today in the sector of international relations, including an increasingly powerful China and a war-ravaged Middle East," Grove explained. "I was particularly drawn to Princeton both because it is my father's alma mater and because I was very impressed with the professors I met while visiting."

Meyers said that Cornell offered her many options and is a great school for what she plans to do in the future.

"Although I am pretty sure that business is what I hope to study, I am open to anything at this point," she said. "I really enjoy math and science, and hopefully can fit some of those classes in too."

Both Meyers and Grove said they feel they wouldn't be where they are today if it wasn't for all they learned in the Port Washington School District but also thought they benefited from Port Washington's rural nature and rich history.

"I absolutely loved growing up in Port Washington," Meyers said. "Aside from the incredible education I received, the town just had so much to offer. The diversity here is really amazing, and each person you come in contact with is more interesting than the previous. I really felt as though there was a strong sense of community in Port Washington, and I would strongly consider raising a family here in the future."

Now, only time will tell what lies in the future for these two outstanding teenagers.