Irvington HS Names Class of 2020 Valedictorian, Salutatorian

IRVINGTON, NY — Seniors Sarah Garcia and Zoe Jacobs have been named the valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, of Irvington High School's Class of 2020. Both students, who have worked diligently throughout their entire high school careers, said it was validating to receive the school’s top honors and motivates them to continue to follow their goals.

Garcia attributed her success to her intrinsic love of learning, dedication to any task she is given and her time management skills. She also credits her parents for encouraging and supporting her inquisitive nature and interests in furthering her knowledge outside of school.

“As I grew older, I developed a love of reading,” she said. “I definitely think that this interest helped with my success in high school as it greatly expanded my vocabulary and improved my writing skills. This interest in learning, however, would be insignificant to my success if it did not also come with a drive to always reach my highest potential.”

Garcia has been involved in a variety of activities, including the Empowering Women Club and Latin Club. She is also an accomplished cross-country, winter track and spring track runner. Outside of school, she has volunteered through her church, sung in the choir since elementary school and has taught Sunday school for the last three years.

Over her high school years, Jacobs completed extensive and challenging research as part of the school’s Science Research Program and spent the past two summers conducting research on acute myeloid leukemia at Weill Cornell Medicine. She has received a generous grant from the Irvington Education Foundation to start a first responder course for students at the high school. Outside of school, Jacobs, who has been dancing since kindergarten, has taught ballet throughout high school. She also spent the second semester of her sophomore year at the Alzar School, a semester-school based on leadership, outdoor excursions, cultural immersion and community service.

In addition, she is a member of her high school’s Model United Nations and National Honor Society.

“It has been great growing up in Irvington and being supported by the community since kindergarten,” Jacobs said. “I am going to miss the many people in the community who have helped me grow into who I am today and who have supported me from the beginning.”

The soon-to-be graduates said if they could give any piece of advice to the incoming freshmen, it would be to explore their interests, try new activities, take advantage of all opportunities made available to them and be open to learning from peers and teachers.

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