Westhampton Beach High School Val, Sal Named

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — Two Westhampton Beach students have made the district proud.

Westhampton Beach High School has announced Kay Horak and Kathleen Kelly as its Class of 2020 valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively. The two seniors earned the top spots in their class through their outstanding commitment to academics, the district said.

Horak has achieved a number of academic accomplishments during her time at Westhampton Beach High School. She is a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist, a National AP Scholar and a recipient of the Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Social Justice Award. She is also president of her school’s Key Club and a member of the National Honor Society, drama department, quiz bowl team, and jazz and pep bands, where she plays trombone. Outside of school, she volunteers at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge, the district said.

Horak plans to study environmental science and policy at college in the fall. Her key to success is to “know your limits and take on a curriculum that you know you will enjoy and do well in.”

Kelly, meanwhile, has an equally impressive academic record, the district said. She is a National AP Scholar, a National Merit Commended Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society, co-president of her school’s Interact/Rotary Club and a student trustee for the Hurricane Educational Foundation. She has also run varsity track at school and is a member of the Westhampton Beach Junior Ambulance.

Kelly intends to study either finance or computer science at college in the fall. She attributes her success to seeking out friends with whom she was able to work well and never being afraid to ask questions.