Islip High School’s Class of 2025 valedictorian and salutatorian are John Oggeri and Ryder Miranda, respectively. The two students’ achievements were announced in a March 26 ceremony attended by their proud families as well as school and district administrators.

Oggeri, an AP Scholar with Distinction graduating with an AP Capstone Diploma, has earned SCMEA Division II Orchestra honors as a musician. He was chosen to attend the summer 2024 American Legion Boys’ State program as a primary delegate. Miranda recently earned AP Scholar with Distinction designation. Both seniors were named named Commended Students in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.

“It’s really exciting being valedictorian, but something that definitely came as a bit of a surprise,” Oggeri said. “It was always really close between me and Ryder. We’d always have little friendly competitions. So this is for the both of us, really.”

Oggeri will attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology this fall. He plans to major in biochemistry with the eventual goal of a career in medicine.

“I feel like I’ve done a lot of hard work to get to this point,” Miranda said. “Honestly, looking back on high school, I always wish I could have done better. Still, being salutatorian is such a great accomplishment.”

Miranda has not decided on a college yet, but plans to major in computer engineering.

“It is my great honor to officially congratulate you on this impressive achievement,” Principal Dr. Lara Gonzalez said. “You represent the best of the best. You have served as examples to siblings, younger students and classmates, and you will leave an impressive legacy at our high school. Your names and the lessons that you leave behind will forever be there. You make us incredibly proud.”

Date Added: 4/9/2025

Islip High School and Maud S. Sherwood Elementary School students recently collaborated on a horror-themed but heartwarming project. Sherwood students in Audrey Cella’s class created unique monster dolls with guidance and instruction from art teacher Melissa Trocchio-Cohen. The prototypes were then passed on to family and consumer science teacher Ali Catalano at the high school, whose students brought the dolls to life by measuring, cutting, stuffing and sewing each and every part of the dolls.

With the support of Fine and Performing Arts Director Michael Hershkowitz and K-12 Administrator for English Language Arts, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Cosmetology Barbara Wagner, high school students then visited Sherwood to deliver the stuffed dolls, speak about the process and answer questions that the younger students had prepared in anticipation of their arrival.

“Sherwood looks forward to having Ms. Catalano and her students again next year,” Principal Briana James said.

Date Added: 4/9/2025