North Shore High School Valedictorian and Salutatorian announcement

The Island Now
(Photo courtesy of Shelly Newman)

The North Shore School District is very proud to announce the names of the two members of the Viking Class of 2022 who have been named this year’s Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Each of these students has devoted many long hours and an enormous amount of dedication and hard work to their studies at North Shore to receive this high recognition. The valedictorian of the graduating class is the student with the highest weighted grade point average, while the salutatorian of the class of 2022 has received the second-highest weighted grade point average.

Congratulations to Kate Gilliam, the Valedictorian of the North Shore School District. Kate began her North Shore roots as a student at Glenwood Landing School. Kate’s academic achievements include Recipient of the Harvard College Book Prize (2021), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medalist (2021), and National Merit Commended Student (2021). She has been a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta (National Math) Honors Society, Rho Kappa (National Social Studies) Honors Society, and World Language Honor Society. In addition, Kate was North Shore High School Technology Student of the Month and received the North Shore Middle School Principal’s Excellence Award for maintaining a Perfect GPA throughout all three years of Middle School (1 of 2 recipients out of class of 200) as well as the North Shore Middle School American Legion Award. Kate’s athletic achievements are extraordinary. She has already committed to being a member of the Women’s Varsity Lacrosse Team at Harvard University to play Division I Lacrosse. She has been a 6-year member of the Varsity Lacrosse Team (since 7th grade), US Lacrosse Academic All-American (Junior), All-County (Junior), and received the North Shore Varsity Coach’s Award (Junior) as well as the Fran McCall Unsung Hero Award (8th Grade). Kate also is a 4-year member of the Varsity Basketball Team and a 3-year member of the Varsity Cross Country Team. But, that’s not all! She is a 9-time NY State Scholar Athlete Award recipient. In addition, Kate is a representative on the North Shore High School Wellness Committee and Athletic Advisory Committee as well as member of the Viking View newspaper, a volunteer at NOSH, and North Shore Lacrosse Club volunteer coach. Kate stated, “It is a true honor to be named Valedictorian. I hope to inspire other young girls in the community to pursue their academic and athletic dreams. With hard work, they can come true.”

Congratulations to Emma Nelson, the Salutatorian of the North Shore School District. Emma was an elementary student at Glen Head School. Her academic achievements include 2021 Recipient of Bausch + Lomb Science Award from the University of Rochester and 2021 Recipient of Colorado School of Mines Medal of Achievement in Math and Science. Currently, Emma is in all IB and AP classes. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Rho Kappa (Social Studies) Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and World Language Honor Society. Her athletic accomplishments are astounding as a 4-year Varsity Field Hockey Starter, Senior Field Hockey Captain, All-County Field Hockey (Junior Season), LI Top 50 Field Hockey Player 2021 (Newsday), 3-year Varsity Women’s Bowler Varsity, Spring Track 2021 MVP in Field Hockey, Bowling, and Spring Track. But, that’s not all! Emma’s clubs and extracurricular activities include player on Lasting Legacy Field Hockey Club, Peer Leader at North Shore High School, Field Hockey Coach at Lasting Legacy Field Hockey Club, and member of the Children of the American Revolution (CAR). Emma said, “I am proud to be North Shore’s class of 2022 Salutatorian. I recognize this achievement and want to thank North Shore for providing me with the opportunity to succeed not only academically, but also athletically and socially. I will forever cherish my days as a Viking.” She is attending Bryn Mawr College in the fall to continue her academic and field hockey endeavors.

North Shore High School Principal Eric Contreras said, “Kate and Emma represent our highest aspirations in the classroom and beyond. They embody our values as a school district and community. In all their work, Emma and Kate bring the best in others. They are intellectuals, athletes, volunteers, artists and thoughtful leaders. We are beyond proud of their accomplishments.”

“Kate and Emma are such impressive young women who have served as leaders in the classroom, on the athletic fields and in numerous other activities at North Shore High School,” stated Director of Counseling Dan Doherty. “Beyond their academic and extracurricular accomplishments, they are wonderful people who set a positive example for their peers. They each have left an indelible mark on North Shore High School and will be missed. Congratulations!”

Please join us in congratulating both Kate and Emma for their hard work at the North Shore Schools. The Class of 2022 is an enormously talented one and we are just so proud of them all.

We wish them both the best of luck now and in their future endeavors.
Article and photos by Shelly Newman

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