Thursday, October 15, 2026
For Wantagh High School’s top two Class of 2027 graduates — Lauren Furer and Matthew Como — academic success has meant more than merely earning high grades.
The duo said they have found inspiration in classmates and teachers, pushing through personal challenges and reserving time for the people and activities that have made high school memorable.
Furer, 17, has been named valedictorian with a weighted GPA of 109.417, and Como, also 17, has been chosen as salutatorian with a 109.009 GPA. Both have challenged themselves with demanding academic schedules while participating in science research, music and extracurricular activities.
Despite their accomplishments, neither said earning one of the school’s top two academic honors was their only goal.
“I was always just trying to do my best,” Como said, adding that learning his hard work had earned him the recognition was “really gratifying."
Even though some had predicted, as early as her sophomore year, that she might become the valedictorian, Furer said the announcement still surprised her. She said that she began to take the possibility more seriously midway through her junior year.
Both Furer and Como have been involved in Wantagh’s Science Research Academy since it was launched during their freshmen year. They have participated in science competitions and conducted research outside the classroom — experiences that helped shape their plans for college and their careers.
Furer will graduate with the accomplishment of completing 17 Advanced Placement courses. A member and co-captain of the Science Olympiad team, she also serves as president of Model Congress and played varsity tennis for four years, earning team MVP honors twice. In addition, she plays the violin in the school orchestra and belongs to several honor societies.
Her interest in science grew through Science Olympiad, which she joined as a freshman. She credited its adviser, Rich Colavita, with helping spark her enthusiasm for the subject.
“It's just a very good environment for fostering learning,” Furer said, describing the motivation she found among her fellow club members.
She also spent the past two summers conducting research at the Zeglis Laboratory at Hunter College in Manhattan. She was part of a team that authored a paper published in a Royal Society of Chemistry journal.
Furer said she hoped to study neuroscience in college, with a particular interest in cognitive neuroscience. She is considering either attending medical school, with the goal of becoming a psychiatrist, or a career in academic research.
When asked what she most wanted her classmates to remember about her, she did not point to her grades or scientific achievements.
“Above all, people remember me as being kind,” she said. “I just want people to remember me as being empathetic or understanding, instead of just, like, my grades.”
Furer said balancing schoolwork with her health was among her biggest challenges in high school. At times, assignments came at the expense of sleep, while stress affected her immune system, she said. Learning to put her health first ultimately helped her in the long run, she added.
For Como, the challenge was managing his own expectations.
“I always had really high expectations for myself,” he said, describing the pressure he felt not to disappoint himself.
Como completed 16 AP courses and plans to study biomedical engineering, potentially pursuing a career with a company that develops medical technology. He conducted eye-tracking research at Hofstra University over the summer and is considering earning a Master of Business Administration degree.
Outside the classroom, he has balanced three varsity sports — cross country, swimming and lacrosse — with an equally active music schedule. He plays trombone in the jazz and brass ensembles and marching band, serves as co-president of the band council and has earned All-County honors.
His band directors, Danilo Aviles and Christopher Cockren, have made a lasting impression by encouraging him to improve as a musician while supporting him as a person, he said.
“They're always very positive,” Como said. “They really care about me as a person.”
One of his favorite memories was winning the conference championship with the swim team last year, his first season as a co-captain. After losing about 15 seniors, the team had to rebuild, making the achievement particularly meaningful.
“I just felt really proud of the team,” Como said.
He expressed hope that his classmates remember him as someone who made friends, included others in activities, and tried to make high school better for the people around him.
Both students have volunteered with the Wantagh Public Library's summer reading program, and Furer has been involved in environmental cleanups while Como's interests have included being a hospital volunteer and lifeguard.
Paul Guzzone, principal at Wantagh High School, praised the two students for combining academic ambition with commitments to their school and community.
“They put a lot of time and effort into getting to this point,” Guzzone said. “What's important to remember is not necessarily the GPAs that they got. It's that work ethic that they have and their commitment to achieve at a high level.”
