Rocky Point HS’s Valedictorian And Salutatorian Announced

ROCKY POINT, NY — Rocky Point High School officials have named Ashlynne Xavier the Class of 2021’s valedictorian, and Fiona McEvoy, its salutatorian.

Xavier has “made the most out of her high school career,” taking part in Stony Brook University’s Women in Science and Engineering program and the high school’s science research program, according to a school district news release. She plays viola in the pit orchestra, is a member of the Human Rights Club, and has played soccer and lacrosse at both the junior varsity and varsity levels, school district officials said.

Xavier, a National Merit Scholarship recipient, is also a member of the national and English honor societies, as well as the New York State Mathematics Honor Society, and is on the Principals Honor Roll, according to school district officials. She has received a Long Island Science Congress Merit Award, an East End Arts Teeny Award, as well as a Research and Innovation Grant, and a Rush Rhees Scholarship through the University of Rochester, school district officials said.

Xavier plays lacrosse with the Long Island Yellow Jackets, is a mission team member and volunteer for Habitat for Humanity through her church, and holds a job as a veterinary assistant and a store associate, according to school officials.

McEvoy also has an “impressive high school résumé” as a member of the national and English honor societies, as well as the New York State Mathematics Honor Society, school officials said. She is the Class of 2021 Student Government treasurer, a participant in the Women in Science and Engineering program at Stony Brook University, as well as its I-STEM program, and has participated in the high school’s Debate Club, Human Rights Club, Mock Trial, and student government, according to school district officials.

McEvoy was a member of the varsity track team and junior varsity soccer team, and has held positions in the local community, in which she has received various honors and certificates for her volunteer service, including a Long Island Science Congress Achievement Award, school district officials said.

She attended the SPARK Research Program at Brookhaven National Laboratory, was a student facilitator at the Human Rights Institute at Iona College, and was a presenter at Rocky Point’s annual Science Research Symposium, according to school officials. She has also attended the Adelphi University Pre-College Program for Science Medicine and Health, as well as the Lebanon Valley College Health and Biomedical Sciences Summer Camp, school officials said.

As for after graduation?

Xavier plans to attend the University of Rochester where she plans to major in biomedical engineering with possible minors in American Sign Language, music, or political science, and McEvoy is headed to Commonwealth Honors College at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where she plans to major in chemistry on the pre-med track, according to school officials.