Sussman and Uwazurike top the Lawrence class of 2012

Samuel Sussman is the valedictorian and Ozioma Uwazurike is the salutatorian for Lawrence High School’s class of 2012.

After an award-winning high school career that was focused on science, Sussman, a Lawrence resident, is heading to Yale University to major in biomedical engineering. His honors include being named a Siemens semifinalist, a National Merit Scholarship Program finalist, the only junior and sophomore from Lawrence High School to present at the L.I. Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, a College Board AP Scholar with Honor, and an American Academy of Neuroscience Top 10 High School student.

Among his science activities, he has interned at Harvard (summer of 2011) and the University of South Florida (summers 2008-11) working on DNA and Alzheimer and research. Sussman played soccer and competed in the shoot out, while also being a member of Distributive Education Clubs of America, Five Towns Community Chest’s Youth Board, Key Club, National Honors Society and the Hebrew Culture Club.

Uwazurike, an Inwood resident, will major in bio-chemistry at Duke University. Her variety of honors and activities include being on High Honor Roll for all four years, a Wendy’s Heisman winner, an AP Scholar and All-conference in track for being part of the 4x200 relay team. She was also the student government association president in 10th and 11th grades, president of the National Honor Society, vice president of Focus on Helping America and captain of the girls’ winter and spring track squads.

Uwazurike performed with the Concert Chorale/Band at school concerts and at Disney World and fundraised for ALS and breast cancer, tutored students and gained working experience as salesperson at a shoe store.