Thursday, October 1, 2026
Roosevelt High School has named its top ten graduating students from its Class of 2026. These scholars have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, leadership and commitment to their school and community.
The class is led by valedictorian Merari Chicas Cruz and salutatorian Angelina Liriano.
During her time at Roosevelt High School, Cruz was a part of a long list of clubs, sports teams and extra curriculars, including the Class Advisory, National Honor Society, student government, the Foreign Language Culture Club, varsity lacrosse, varsity tennis, Roosevelt’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps chapter and the school’s marching band.
“My mom, dad and my sisters have pushed and supported me to do the best I can throughout my high school career,” Cruz said.
Liriano also participated in a wide variety of Roosevelt clubs and organizations. She was the treasurer for Class Advisory, a violinist in the high school’s Chamber Orchestra, co-founder and player on the girls badminton team, swim captain and record holder for the Roosevelt-Hempstead girls varsity swim team, student government treasurer in eleventh grade, biology summer research participant, Nassau County certified lifeguard, member of the Superintendent Circle, National Honor Society member and participant in Nassau Community College’s Science and Technology Entry Program.
“The people who helped me the most with reaching this academic achievement were my high achieving friends, who pushed me to do my best,” Liriano stated. “The other person who always pushed me to do my best was my mom, who instilled in me the importance of an education.”
Both Cruz and Liriano were a part of the Smart Scholars Early College Program, earning 40 college credits each through State University of New York (SUNY) Old Westbury. Cruz plans to attend Stony Brook University this fall, and will be majoring in business management and finance. Liriano will attend Villanova University’s School of Business in hopes of eventually earning her Masters of Business Administration and become a certified public accountant.
The remainder of the top ten consists of Alexis Williams, Kailah Ross, Vanessa Tiburcio, Nicia Warren, Dayanara Gonzalez, Kevin Castillo Escobar, Carla Cruz an Alejandra Zamora.
“We congratulate our top ten students on this incredible achievement,” Shawn Wightman, superintendent of schools for the Roosevelt Union Free School District. “Their dedication to academic excellence, resilience in the face of challenges and contributions to the school community set a remarkable example for their peers. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and excited to see the impact they will make in the future.”
