Herald Schools

Meet Lynbrook's top of the class

Posted

Lynbrook High School seniors Arpie Bakhshian and Anna Rath were recently recognized as valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, for the class of 2020.

Bakhshian and Rath made a name for themselves at Lynbrook High School, not only for their impressive academic accomplishments, but also for their positive contributions to the school and community.

Bakhshian was selected as a nominee in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program and earned the title of Long Island Scholar Artist from the Long Island Arts Alliance. She is also a musician, performing in regional and state music festivals, the school’s chamber and pit orchestras and as concertmaster in the Long Island Youth Orchestra. Her music abilities have led to membership in the school’s Tri-M Music Honor Society.

Additionally, Bakhshian has a passion for science and is involved in the school’s Science Research Program, where she has spent the past two summers as an intern conducting independent research at Weill Cornell Medicine in Manhattan. She has attended STEM courses at Brown University, is the founder and president of the school’s Women in STEM program and participates in Science Olympiad. In addition, Bakhshian is a talented tennis player who was captain of the varsity tennis team for singles.

Rath is also a standout student. She was selected as a finalist in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program and is now in the running to be considered for some 7,600 scholarships worth more than $31 million. Rath was part of the school’s Active Citizen Teens Club and has a love for theater. She has been a cast member in school plays and has volunteered at Molloy College’s Madison Theatre. Linguistics is also a major passion of hers, as she serves as the president of the school’s Italian Club and has spent the past two summers at Harvard University taking classes in Italian, Spanish, historical linguistics and theatrical directing.

Both students received membership into the school’s National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society and Math Honor Society, where both serve as co-vice-presidents.

Academics aside, Bakhshian and Rath also enjoy giving back. Bakhshian volunteers her time as a tennis instructor in Lynbrook and volunteers at the Armenian Prelacy of New York’s Orphan Sponsorship Program in New York City. Rath is heavily involved in the tutoring program at Lynbrook High School, where she helps her fellow peers in subject areas that they are struggling with.