Thursday, October 1, 2026
As she prepares to move on to a promising college career at the University of Pennsylvania, Lynbrook High School’s Class of 2012 Valedictorian Ilana Ajzenman will be remembered by many as a determined student who never took the easy way out.
Among her many academic accomplishments, Ilana was named a National Merit Commended Student and an AP Scholar with Distinction and was an active member of the National Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society. A member of her high school’s science research program, she conducted stem cell research at NYU Hospital, submitting her work to the 2012 Intel Science Talent Search and various other science competitions. She also captained the Math Team and was selected to represent her school at the Nassau County Math Competition.
In addition, she rose from the ranks of reporter to become the managing editor of Lynbrook’s award-winning high school newspaper, Horizon. A gifted vocalist, she was an All-County performer who participated in her school’s musical productions every year since she was a freshman. As an athlete, she captained the junior varsity cheerleading squad for three years before becoming a varsity cheerleader in her senior year. And although it may not seem like there could possibly be enough hours in the day, Ilana still managed to find time to volunteer at the Peninsula Counseling Center Friends Program, to serve on the Lynbrook High School Compact Committee, to organize events for the Leadership Club, and to volunteer her time as a tutor.
Of all these accomplishments, the one she is most proud of is her work in science research culminating in her Intel research paper. “Though I encountered many setbacks during my research, I believe the work I performed will be helpful for future researchers, since it provides a basis for the application of human embryonic stem cells in regenerative medicine.”
Although she has yet to pick a career path, Ilana says she can picture herself being very happy as a doctor, dentist, researcher or teacher. “With the wide opportunities that have been afforded to me, I have the potential to be just about anything,” she added.
