Vincent Zhang and Joseph Nestor Tan are Sachem High School East Class of 2019’s valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively. Vincent and Joseph excelled and reached the top of their class through tireless persistence in academics.
Vincent is an accomplished science research student who this year was selected as a Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar by the Society for Science & the Public. Among his other scientific accomplishments, Vincent presented his research at the 2018 Materials Research Society Conference in Boston and also presented his research on a study to identify gray matter lesions in the subcortical structures of the human brain brought on by multiple sclerosis at another conference last year. He is enrolled in a number of Advanced Placement classes, including Computer Science, Economics, English, Environmental Science, Government and Politics and Physics C. Complementing his impressive academic résumé, he is a member of Class Government and the Chess Club, the vice president of the Science Honor Society and the treasurer of the Math Honor Society.
Salutatorian Joseph is a talented cello player who has performed in several prominent music festivals during his time in high school, including those hosted by the Long Island String Festival Association, the New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education and the Suffolk County Music Educators’ Association. In addition to his musical accomplishments, Joseph is enrolled in many challenging Advanced Placement classes such as Calculus BC, Chemistry, Comparative Politics, Computer Science, English, and Government and Politics. Beyond the classroom he is an active member of the Select Strings Ensemble, the treasurer of Class Government and the president of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Joseph plans to attend Stony Brook University following graduation to study computer science with a minor in music.
These two outstanding students will receive their diplomas with the Sachem High School East Class of 2019 at the commencement ceremony on June 27.