Riverhead's Class Of 2020 Val, Sal Named

RIVERHEAD, NY — Two of Riverhead High Schools brightest stars continued to shine this week as the valedictorian and salutatorian of the Class of 2020 announced. Christina Yakaboski earned the honor of valedictorian and Zachary White, as salutatorian.

Both students earned the honors through an impressive commitment to academics and extracurriculars, the district said.

Yakaboski has achieved a number of academic accomplishments throughout her school career. She is an AP Scholar with Distinction and earned the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Award for High Honors in mathematical, verbal and spatial ability, the district said. In additio, she is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Foreign Language Honor Society for her Latin studies.

Yakaboski also belongs to the Math Club and Mentathletes and participates in Athletes Helping Athletes. When not studying, she can be found on the track; she is captain of both the winter and cross-country track teams and a member of the spring track team. She has also earned multiple postseason awards, including All-County and All-Academic for winter track, and holds school records for the sprint medley relay, distance medley relay and 4 x 400-meter.

Yakaboski said she plans to study political science or law in the fall. She cited her involvement with sports as one reason she soared on the path to success and advised underclassmen to “learn new things and do things outside of academics.”

Like Yakaboski, White is a "well-rounded and exemplary student who has demonstrated exceptional academic ability," the district said. He is an AP Scholar with Distinction and earned Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s eponymous medal for outstanding academic achievement in mathematics and science. He is a member of the National Honor Society, National Foreign Language Honor Society — for Latin studies — Key Club, math club and robotics club. He is also a musician and plays alto saxophone in his school’s pep band and wind ensemble. In addition, he achieved his Eagle Scout award from the Boy Scouts of America.

White plans to study engineering or a related STEM-based field in the fall, he said. His advice for success is in keeping with his dedicated attitude: “If you work hard and don’t give up, you can accomplish great things,” he said. “Perseverance is as important as studying and working hard because some classes can be especially challenging.”