Challenging each other to do their best

North High School’s top graduates say they would not be where they are without each other. A friendly academic rivalry developed over the years, and, when the dust settled, Jeanette Freeman, of Malverne, became the valedictorian of the class of 2014.

Just three-tenths of a point behind was Michael Sanky. He matched the feat achieved by his older brother, Charles, two years ago. Sanky said he, Freeman and others who ranked near the top of the class pushed each other to do their best.

Freeman and Sanky found out in early February that they would be this year’s top two graduates at North. “I was thrilled,” Freeman said of being valedictorian. “It was always the goal, from seventh grade.”

“I’ve always been focusing on doing my personal best,” Sanky said.

In the fall, Freeman will head to the University of Pennsylvania, where she plans to study biology on a pre-med track. The Malverne native said she wants to have a career in pediatrics.

Freeman said that after staying on campus as part of an accepted-students program known as Quaker Day, she knew the UPenn was right for her. “I loved the people there,” she said. “I could see myself learning and thriving there for the next four years.”

Sanky, of Valley Stream, will attend Harvard, where he hopes to study mathematics and biomedical engineering. He is considering a career in genetic engineering, and would like to help improve the medicine available in smaller communities.

He said he chose Harvard because of the small class sizes and the research opportunities available in the Boston area.

Both Freeman and Sanky have prepared themselves for college through rigorous course loads. Freeman took 15 Advanced Placement courses, and Sanky enrolled in 16.

“I definitely wanted to take the hardest classes I could to push myself,” Freeman said. “Having taken so many, I think I’m prepared for whatever Penn can throw at me.” She cited biology and music theory among her favorite A.P. courses.

Sanky said that his top A.P. class was calculus. He also enjoyed computer science, which, he said, was basically like learning another language. In his American Sign Language course, he and his classmates performed holiday songs at local elementary schools in sign language — and he usually played Santa Claus.

Broadening their horizons

In addition to challenging themselves academically, Freeman and Sanky were involved in a host of activities after school. Freeman was selected to the national, math, science, music and Languages Other Than English honor societies. She was on varsity kickline, served as a Student Peer Organization leader and volunteered with the phys. ed. leadership blood drive.

Music has always been her escape, and she has been playing trombone since her days at James A. Dever Elementary School. At North she was part of the senior high jazz band, the pit orchestra, the brass choir, the district festival band and orchestra and the All-County band. In college she hopes to join the marching band.

Sanky was selected to the national, science and Languages Other Than English honor societies. He took part in the Chess Club, the Audio-Visual Club, Spartan Report and Mathletes, and was captain of the varsity volleyball team. The highlight of his high school career, however, he said, was being a member of It’s Academic and appearing for two years on “The Challenge” television quiz show.

Music has been an important part of Sanky’s life as well. He played saxophone in the senior high jazz ensemble and the pit orchestra, was named to the district festival band, orchestra and chorus, was an All-County musician in band and chorus, and sang with the 7:10 Downbeats a cappella group.

Outside school, he has played with the Valley Stream Community Band and Community Orchestra, and with the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra and Youth Chorale. He also served as junior commander of the Royal Rangers. All of these activities, he said, gave him a way to express himself in ways other than with pen and paper.

In college, he said, he would like to join an a cappella group, and he plans to explore Harvard’s other extracurricular opportunities.

Freeman said she is looking forward to college and meeting new people. “I’m ready to branch out,” she said.

While being valedictorian was a goal for her for six years, Freeman said she didn’t work for it at the expense of other goals. She explained that she wants others to reach their full potential, and would never turn aside a friend in need of help with schoolwork.

Freeman noted that her class has set numerous academic records at North, with seven seniors set to attend Ivy League schools. “To be at the top of a class like that,” she said, “is more of an honor than being valedictorian.”

Sanky, who went to elementary school at Wheeler Avenue, said he believes the education he received in Valley Stream has prepared him for the future. The diversity at North High School, coupled with caring and concerned teachers, has given him confidence that he is poised for success in the next four years and beyond.

The two are already thinking about their graduation speeches. Freeman wants hers to be impactful and memorable, while offering some guidance to her classmates they can carry through college. Sanky said he is trying to figure out how to capture six years of high school in just a few minutes. “I’m going to try my hardest,” he said, “to express how I felt about it.”