Tharini Prakash and Tim Chiu have been named Sachem High School East Class of 2018’s valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively. Tharini and Tim excelled to rise to the top of their class after 13 years of persistent academic excellence. 

Tharini, the valedictorian for High School East, is a National Merit Scholarship Finalist and boasts an unweighted grade point average of 99.1846. She is enrolled in multiple Advanced Placement classes, including calculus, economics, English, environmental science, French and physics. Complementing her impressive academic résumé, she is also the treasurer of Class Government and a member of the Outdoors Club. Tharini plans to study economics and politics in college following graduation. 
 
“Sachem has so many special teachers who have helped me choose my career path,” Tharini said. “Their passion in the careers they have chosen inspire me.” 

Tim, this year’s salutatorian, has a longstanding commitment to academic achievement that earned him an unweighted grade point average of 98.4083. Selecting a collection of challenging upper-level classes, he is enrolled in Advanced Placement computer science, government and politics, literature, physics I and statistics. In addition to his challenging course schedule, Tim is a member of the English, Math, National and Tri-M honor societies. He plays violin in the string ensemble and has been a yearly participant in New York State School Music Association festivals. Beyond the classroom, Tim is a member of the varsity tennis and golf teams and has served as the captain of the tennis team since 10th grade. Tim plans to attend Georgetown University following graduation to study neurobiology on a premedical track. 

“The people I have met and the friends I have made at Sachem cannot be matched,” Tim said. “All of the friendships are what has made high school a truly special experience.”  

These two spectacular students will receive their diplomas with the rest of their class at the commencement ceremony on June 23.