General knowledge...and then some

Gregory Matousek and Ashley Kim were together in physics class earlier this year when they were called to the principal’s office. They weren’t in trouble, though: MacArthur High School Principal Joseph Sheehan told them they were the valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, of the class of 2016.

“It’s been very competitive,” said Matousek, 17, of Levittown. “It could have been any one of us. I was tearing up a little bit. I’ve worked really hard.”

Kim, 17, of Seaford, finished just a fraction of point behind Matousek to place second in the class. “It wasn’t specifically anything I had in my mind for myself,” she said of the honor. “I just wanted to do well in my classes.”

Matousek, who started his educational career at Gardiners Avenue Elementary School, will attend Stony Brook University’s Honors College in the fall and plans to major in physics. Although he was accepted into an Ivy League School — Cornell University — he said he couldn’t pass up the full scholarship that Stony Brook offered him.

During visits to the campus, he said, he was impressed with science laboratories, and there’s a building devoted just to physics. He also felt a good vibe. “The students there,” he said, “they seemed like they very much enjoyed it.”

Kim, who started out at East Broadway Elementary School, will attend Brown University. At the Ivy League school in Rhode Island, she will major in computer science. She said she chose the school because it has an open curriculum, allowing her much flexibility in selecting her classes, including the ability to start computer science courses right away.

Brown, Kim said, is know for having very open-minded students, and she is excited about the opportunity to meet new people.

The two students set themselves up for success in college by taking advantage of the many course offerings and extracurricular opportunities that MacArthur offers. Matousek took 11 Advanced Placement courses, and said his favorites included computer science and physics. Kim took nine, and the A.P. classes she enjoyed the most were physics, U.S. history and government.

Matousek is president of the National Honor Society this year, was a three-year participant in Science Olympiad and was part of a Quiz Bowl team that was undefeated until the playoffs. He said he was active in the school because that is simply his nature. “Sometimes I find it difficult to live with myself if I don’t try my best,” he said.

Community service is also a big part of his life. Through school he has participated in numerous activities, including food and toy drives, and has helped wrap presents for needy families. Outside of school, he is part of the youth group at St. Bernard’s Church in Levittown, in which he participated in a fundraiser for Hurricane Sandy victims and fixed up the church basement.

Kim is vice president of the National Honor Society and the French president of the World Languages Honor Society, in addition to numerous other clubs. Her community service activities include volunteering in the emergency room at Nassau University Medical Center and participating in awareness walks for breast cancer and autism with the Key Club.

She has been a regular on the principal’s honor roll, was a National Merit Finalist and a Presidential Scholar candidate.

As a sophomore, Matousek received the Hugh O’Brien Youth scholarship, allowing him to attend a three-day leadership seminar at Adelphi University. He also has received a scholarship from the National Police Force Defense Foundation.

Matousek is the third person in his family to graduate from MacArthur High School, following sister Stephanie in 2012 and brother Thomas in 2014. A younger sister, Melanie, is a freshman. Kim, whose family moved to Seaford from Queens in first grade, has an older sister, Justine, who graduated in 2013 and now attends NYU.

Graduation is June 18 at Hofstra University. Both are busy preparing their speeches. Matousek said his topic is “top secret information” and his goal is to make his mother cry and his father laugh. Kim said she plans to write a love letter to MacArthur, remembering the good times. “I would really like to do something inspiring,” she said.

Both soon-to-be graduates credit their outstanding teachers for helping them succeed. They also cited strong work ethics.

“If your brain is OK with not doing your best, you can’t be valedictorian or salutatorian,” said Matousek, adding that even if he was sick or tired, he always gave “110 percent.”

Kim explained that consistency has been her approach. “The hard work that you do can’t come in short bursts,” she said. “It has to be all the time.”

Sheehan described the two as fantastic young adults who come from terrific families, and added that he is proud to have them represent MacArthur at graduation. “Their passion to push themselves to be the best that they can be is exemplary,” he said. “It’s a pleasure to have worked with them the last four years.”