Central’s top grads look to the future

Margaret Milano and Sabrina Ahmed say they have both worked hard to get good grades. Their work has paid off, as they are the top two graduates of Valley Stream Central High School’s class of 2011.

Milano is the valedictorian with a grade point average of 106.71 and Ahmed is the salutatorian with an average of 104.17. Both student took 11 Advanced Placement courses during their three years at Central.

“I was very proud,” Milano said of finding out that she was this year’s valedictorian. “I had known for a while I had the highest grades, but for it to be official, it made me really happy. I always tried my best.”

Milano will be attending SUNY Geneseo in the fall. She wants to be a veterinarian and said the school has a good pre-vet program. While growing up, her mother fostered several animals at home through the North Shore Animal League, mostly kittens, so she developed a love of animals. Milano also has raised a puppy for the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, and volunteered at Horse Ability Summer Camp, which has horse-related programs for disabled children.

Ahmed will attend St. John’s University. She plans to study pharmaceutical science. She said it is a six-year program, but will be worth it because the field pays well. And to prepare for her future career, Ahmed she has already gained some experience volunteering at both a pharmacy and doctor’s office.

She said she has always been interested in the sciences, and science and math have been her two favorite subjects in school. Ahmed has tutored other students in math, chemistry and physics, and has also taught computer skills to senior citizens.

Both Milano and Ahmed say they will miss the secure environment of high school, along with their teachers and their friends, but look forward to meeting new people in college. Ahmed said she welcomes the opportunity to become more independent, while Milano wants to learn more about treating animals.

Milano, who plays the viola, says she would like to join the orchestra in college. At Central, she has been treasurer of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, and has also been a section leader in the school, chamber and district orchestras. Outside of school, Milano has performed with the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, Long Island Youth Orchestra and Valley Stream District Symphony Orchestra which performs on Thursday nights during the summer at the Village Green.

Additionally, Milano belongs to the Science Honor Society, serving as vice president, as well as the National, Math, Language, English and History honor societies, environmental club, quiz bowl team and Mathletes.

Ahmed is president of the Science Honor Society and is captain of the Quiz Bowl team which made it to the national competition this past year. “I like trivia,” she said. “It’s just interesting to me.”

She is treasurer of Students Against Destructive Decisions, and a member of Mathletes and the National, Language, English, Math and History honor societies. In her spare time, she enjoys playing badminton and reading realistic fiction and utopian novels.

Ahmed, who grew up in Queens before moving to Valley Stream for junior high, attributes her success to both her brain, “I remember stuff well,” she says, and her parents who always pushed her to do her best.

Milano, who attended Wheeler Avenue School, has always made achievement a personal goal. “My family has given me support,” she said, “but I’m really motivated on my own as well.”