Elmont Memorial High School has named Yalisah Lozada salutatorian for the 2025-26 school year, recognizing her academic excellence, leadership and wide-ranging involvement in extracurricular activities.
Throughout her time at Elmont Memorial, Lozada has taken on leadership roles reflecting her commitment to issues important to her and her peers. She served as class president during her junior year and currently serves as treasurer of the Key Club, helping organize and oversee blood drives and other service initiatives.
Her work with Model United Nations earned her both an Outstanding Delegate Award and a Verbal Communication Award, highlighting her strengths in debate and leadership. Despite a demanding schedule filled with extracurricular commitments, Lozada has earned High Honor Roll recognition every year since 7th grade.
Lozada is also a member of the National Education Equity Lab Honor Society, which recognizes students nationwide who successfully complete rigorous college-credit coursework. She is additionally a member of multiple honor societies, including the World Language, National English, National Science, Tri-M Music, Rho Kappa and Mu Alpha Theta honor societies, underscoring her dedication to academic achievement.
Her academic focus remained strong even during personal hardship. Lozada lost her grandfather during her sophomore year, a period she described as particularly challenging.
“There was just so much schoolwork that I had to get through,” she said. “I just remember I had to keep pushing and motivating myself because I have never been the type of person that allowed myself to fail.”
Her perseverance through that difficult time, she said, ultimately strengthened her determination and contributed to her success today.
“Yalisah is a phenomenal young woman who has embraced everything that Elmont has to offer, and she has given back so much tenfold,” Principal Marya Baker said.
A lifelong science enthusiast, Lozada said her interest in medicine deepened while visiting her grandfather during his illness.
“I wanted to help people the same way that they helped him,” she said.
Beyond academics, Lozada is deeply involved in Elmont Memorial’s theater program, participating in productions such as "Cinderella", "Descendants" and "The Adams Family". This year, she stars as Kim MacAfee in "Bye Bye Birdie".
She said she enjoys portraying characters who grow and change, noting that MacAfee learns to balance excitement about adulthood while appreciating the present.
“I really like the story behind her character and how she is changing and adapting throughout the show,” Lozada said.
She hopes to continue performing in community theater productions in the future.
Lozada has been accepted to several State University of New York schools but is awaiting a decision from her top choice, Northeastern University, expected in April. She plans to pursue biochemistry with the goal of entering the medical field.
Her unwavering commitment to purposeful leadership will not go unnoticed. Looking ahead, Lozada said she hopes to further explore the world around her, including participating in a study abroad program during her college years.
