In September 2015, McKenna Elementary School first graders Liam Chernick and Anthony D’Orlando sat at desks in the same first grade classroom, eager to learn and grow. Their respective quests for knowledge paid off, as they are the Massapequa High School Class of 2027 valedictorian and salutatorian.
Liam earned the top ranking with a grade point average of 101.229. During a recent physics class, he was called down to Principal Barbara Lowell’s office, where executive assistants to the principal Michael Brzezinski and Deja Murphy, Executive Assistant for Guidance Paul Weber and guidance counselor Jeanine Steinmetz were also waiting to share the good news.
“I was pleasantly surprised,” Liam said, admitting that the possibility crossed his mind on the walk to office because he knew he had a high GPA. “It validates all of the effort that I’ve put in throughout my time in high school.”
Anthony’s GPA of 100.383 ranked him second in the class, and he was called down to Ms. Lowell’s office from his Spanish class.
“I was really surprised,” Anthony said. “I knew I had high grades but I thought there were also a lot of other people it could be. At that moment, I felt proud of my work, but I also felt humbled.”
By the time they graduate, Liam will have taken 13 Advanced Placement courses, and Anthony will have enrolled in 12. Ms. Lowell commended their commitment to their studies throughout high school.
“Liam and Anthony stand out as superior students not only because of their extremely high GPAs, but also because of the level of rigor in the courses they take and their dedication to their academics,” she said. “They both challenge themselves with the highest level classes that Massapequa High School has to offer and balance that with their extracurricular interests.”
A longtime viola player in the orchestra, Liam is a member of Poparazzi, a string group that plays pop and rock songs. He is a three-time All-County musician, has been selected to Long Island String Festival Association ensembles twice and takes private music lessons through Center Stage, performing in winter and spring concerts. Liam played junior varsity soccer for two years, is a member of the cross-country team this year, and has been inducted into the National, French and Tri-M Music honor societies. He plans to earn the AP Capstone Diploma and Seal of Biliteracy.
Anthony is member of the varsity ice hockey team, the Dog Rescue Club and HOSA – Future Health Professionals. He has also been inducted into the National Honor Society and plans to earn the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish. At home, he cultivates a garden in his backyard every year, growing vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes and zucchini to donate to a local food pantry.
Liam’s favorite class at Massapequa High School was Computer Science Principles because he really enjoys coding. As math and science have been his strongest subjects, he would like to pursue a career in engineering. Anthony particularly enjoyed the Go Green environmental health course. His ambition is to work in the medical field as either an oral surgeon or a veterinarian.