High school graduations are approaching, here’s what to know

Sayville School District

Commencement: Friday, June 27 at 6 p.m. on the Sayville High School football field. Rain date, Saturday June 28, 10a.m.

Top of the class

Senior Gioia Racanelli is valedictorian, and Taylor Carpentieri is salutatorian of the Sayville High School class of 2025.

Both Racanelli and Carpentieri led the senior class with grade point averages exceeding 107.

Sayville High School valedictorian Gioia Racanelli is the senior class president and a three-year varsity-athlete that serves as a senior captain of the varsity cheerleading team. She is a five-time academic all-county honoree, a member of the National and World Languages honor societies, a peer leader, and a youth cheer coach. Racanelli is currently uncommitted for college and has interest in multiple areas of study she may pursue.

Salutatorian Taylor Carpentieri is a senior class officer and the president of the Science National Honor Society. As a member of the Say-Bay Blue swim team, she serves on the Student Athlete and School Climate advisory committees and is a member of Athletes Serving Others. Carpentieri plays clarinet for the school’s wind ensemble and is a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. She intends to study biological sciences at Cornell University this fall.

“Gioia and Taylor are both remarkable students who have exhibited commendable dedication throughout their academic careers,” said Sayville High School principal Stephanie Bricker. “They have both worked incredibly hard throughout their time in the district, and I am excited to see all that they accomplish in the future.”

“All of us in the Sayville school district pride ourselves in preparing the leaders and innovators of the future,” said Sayville superintendent of schools Dr. Marc Ferris. “Gioia and Taylor have proven themselves throughout their time in Sayville Schools and I expect great things from them in the future.”

Bayport-Blue Point School District

Commencement: Friday, June 27 at 6 p.m. on the Bayport-Blue Point High School football field. Rain date, Saturday, June 28

Top of the class

Shane Duerr and Alexandria Dobson are the Bayport-Blue Point Class of 2025’s valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively.

Duerr has earned a high honor roll every quarter and completed 12 AP courses along with two college-level classes. He is an AP Scholar with Distinction and the recipient of 17 Excellence in Department awards.

Outside of class, Duerr has served as president of the Class Club of 2025, treasurer of the National Honor Society and Wellness Club, secretary of the Reform Club and a founding member of the BBP Science Education Group. As captain of the boys tennis team, he also shares his talents by coaching outside of school.

His dedication to service includes tutoring local students and volunteering at events such as BBP’s Community and Cocoa 5K, Literacy Night, Open School Night and organizing a “kindness wall” at James Wilson Young Middle School.

Salutatorian Dobson has been on the high honor roll every quarter of her high school career, is an AP Scholar with Distinction and scored a five on four of the six AP exams she has taken through her junior year. With 10 AP classes and multiple dual enrollment and honors courses completed, Dobson has consistently challenged herself academically.

Along with academic success, Dobson has served as a mentor for the Inclusive Sports and Fitness Summer Program for four years, supporting children with disabilities in both athletic and creative pursuits. Additionally, she has volunteered at district events, including field days, reading to elementary students, and making veteran gift baskets.

As a four-year varsity field hockey player, Dobson earned All-County Honorable Mention and the All-Academic Award in her senior year.

Connetquot School District

Commencement: Thursday, June 26, 6:30 p.m. at the Connetquot High School Football Field. Rain dates: Friday, June 27, 6:30 p.m., Saturday, June 28, 10 a.m. or 2 p.m., Sunday, June 29.

Top of the class

Alexander DeVita and Valentina Gutierrez are valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, of the Connetquot High School Class of 2025.

Throughout his time in Connetquot, DeVita stood out for his strong academic performance and leadership both in and out of the classroom. DeVita is an Eagle Scout, a National Merit Scholar Finalist and was also a U.S. Department of Education Presidential Scholar Candidate.

He served as president of both the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society. He was also the vice president of the Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society.

Throughout his high school career, DeVita was also a member of the school’s chamber orchestra. DeVita will attend Stony Brook University in the fall, where he plans to major in pre-medicine.

Salutatorian Gutierrez demonstrated remarkable dedication across a wide range of academic and extracurricular pursuits. She served as the public relations officer for the Science National Honor Society, and was a member of the National Honor Society, World Language Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society and English Honor Society.

Gutierrez will attend St. Joseph’s University in the fall to pursue a degree in nursing.