New Hyde Park Memorial High School is pleased to announce that Axl Su and Alan Aphraim are the valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, of the Class of 2027.

Axl is an exceptionally bright, talented and creative young man who consistently holds himself to the highest standards in both academics and extracurricular pursuits. He routinely enrolls in the most rigorous courses available, including Calculus BC as an 11th grader, and is currently furthering his studies in Calculus III through the University of Massachusetts Global Westcott program. He is an AP Scholar with Distinction, as well as an AP Capstone Diploma recipient. His passion for mathematics and problem-solving extends far beyond the classroom. Demonstrating both ingenuity and perseverance, Axl undertook an ambitious personal project to develop an incremental game using JavaScript, CSS and HTML. Serving as the project's lead developer, he worked closely with a team of developers, actively engaging with them and implementing frequent updates to the game, showcasing both his technical expertise and leadership abilities. As president of Mathletes, he inspires fellow students through his strategic thinking, enthusiasm and commitment to excellence. He is also a dedicated leader in the sciences, serving as vice president of Science Olympiad. Equally impressive are his accomplishments as a musician. A gifted cellist, Axl has distinguished himself through performances with the school, district and All-County orchestras, as well as the pit orchestra for the school musical. His exceptional talent and dedication were recognized with a perfect score on his NYSSMA All-State cello solo, an achievement that reflects years of hard work and artistic excellence.

“Axl has great determination, great energy and is an enthusiastic part of the school community,” Principal Rosemary DeGennaro said.

Alan is distinguished not only by his academic excellence but also by his commitment to serving others beyond the classroom. Excelling in a rigorous course load, he has earned recognition as an AP Scholar with Distinction, received the AP Capstone Diploma and was named a Commended Student in the National Merit Scholarship Program. He was also honored with the Rochester Institute of Technology Computing Award. Passionate about mathematics, Alan serves as president of the National Math Honor Society and is an active member of Mathletes. He generously shares his knowledge with fellow students through peer tutoring in algebra, geometry, chemistry, biology and Spanish, helping others achieve success in the classroom. His intellectual curiosity extends beyond traditional coursework. Through his research project, “Olfactory Training and Reading Comprehension: A Two-Way ANCOVA Analysis on the Effects of Calming Scents on 8th-Grade Students’ Reading Comprehension,” he designed and conducted an independent longitudinal experimental study, analyzing data, interpreting findings and presenting conclusions through a formal academic research project. Beyond academics, Alan is a dedicated leader and athlete. As captain of the varsity soccer team, he plays a vital role in fostering communication, accountability and player development, helping to build a culture of teamwork and excellence both during practices and on the field.

"We can talk about all the rigorous courses that Alan has taken, how he has challenged himself in AP courses, but he also gives of himself outside the classroom,” Ms. DeGennaro said.