Hauppauge High honors Class of 2025 at senior awards ceremony

Hauppauge High School honored members of the class of 2025 in a school awards ceremony led by Principal Joe Whitehorse, who opened the program and presented academic and departmental recognitions.

The program front‑lined the class officers and academic standouts: Sarah Conquette was named valedictorian with a weighted GPA cited in the ceremony as rising from 103.69 to 103.85; she is an International Baccalaureate diploma candidate and told in the program that she will attend Vassar College to study neuroscience and behavior. Ayan Shah was recognized as salutatorian and was noted for leadership in Science Olympiad, varsity tennis and multiple academic clubs.

The ceremony highlighted a set of IB diploma candidates, 17 students the principal named as having completed the district’s IB program requirements pending final test scores. The event also recognized students who graduate with weighted GPAs above 100, recipients of the National School Development Council award, new driving‑education recognitions, and multiple departmental honors across fine and performing arts, athletics, science, technology and humanities.

Several individually named awards and post‑secondary plans were called out. The American Chemical Society High School Award was presented to Emily Massana; Ion Shah received the science department award and was noted for a 5 on the AP Biology exam and a 100% Chemistry Regents score and for plans to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology to study electrical engineering. David Hendrick received the film and media award and was described as planning to study film at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Other departmental recipients included Amelia Vitale (art), Marissa Rodriguez (dance), Alexa Olivetto (music), Matthew Barshay (marching band), and Reagan Henselder (Triad Music Honor Society leadership and a planned enlistment at the U.S. Air Force Academy).

Principal Joe Whitehorse framed the ceremony’s purpose and congratulated students for sustained effort: “Today is an incredibly special day,” he said, reminding graduates they had completed the high school career and that families should be proud. He also explained logistics for the remainder of the day, saying awards would be distributed later at a picnic and would be available in the counseling center, and asking seniors to remain for elementary school walks and bus boarding.

Presenters included department directors and teachers from the Hauppauge Union Free School District. Board of Education members were acknowledged as attending, and district leaders including Superintendent Dr. Murphy and deputy and assistant superintendents were listed by Whitehorse in his opening remarks as having supported the programs that led to student accomplishments.

The ceremony ran as an awards and recognition event rather than a forum for policy or district action; no motions or votes were recorded in the transcript. The program emphasized student achievement, college and career intentions when stated, and community recognition through New York State and county awards cited during departmental presentations.

The school encouraged families to photograph recipients and reminded seniors of upcoming graduation‑related events. Principal Whitehorse closed by thanking staff and families and by wishing graduates well for prom and commencement: “Drive safe and we’ll see you at prom and graduation.”