Monday, June 16, 2025
There’s more to Lawrence High School’s top three students than their grade point average.
Valedictorian Danielle Domanas, salutatorian Aaliyah Ojikutu and honor speaker Roberto Mendoza are heavily involved in afterschool organizations and follow their passions.
Domanas balances her academics with playing piano, as a dance team member and serving as president of the — Asian American Club, DECA, Model Congress, National Honor Society and the Senior Class.
She is also a member of multiple clubs including, culinary, Future Homemakers of America, Students Against Drunk Driving and yearbook.
“Model Congress has been pivotal in my high school career, I have been a member since freshman year,” Domanas said. “I see them as a family and everyone is nice and welcoming.”
Ojikutu’s biggest passion is swimming, she is on the swim team and a certified lifeguard. In school, she serves as vice president of National Honor Society and is on the yearbook team.
“I’m a naturally quiet and reserved person so being a lifeguard really brought me out of my comfort zone and helped me become more confident in myself,” Ojikutu said.
Mendoza is extremely passionate about music and has been playing the piano for 10 years. He serves as treasurer of Culinary Club, vice president of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, is a National Honor Society inductee and also working on the yearbook.
“Music is one of those big passions for me, I had the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall,” Mendoza said. “At school I performed with the jazz band, marching band and wind ensemble.”
When Domanas found out that she was valedictorian, she was in the car on a family trip to Canada.
“Dr. Lagnado called me and told me, I didn’t really expect it but I was shocked in a good way and my family was also really happy as well,” Domanas added. Jennifer Lagnado-Papp is Lawrence High’s principal.
Ojikutu was also surprised and said that her sister was the most excited for her.
“We have a two year difference, I’ve known her my whole life and she sees how hard I work and she’s happy for me,” she added.
Mendoza was anxious with anticipation waiting for the news to be announced and had a sigh of relief when he heard he made honor speaker.
“I was surprised but also very glad and happy to hear that all my hard work in my high school career has paid off,” he added.
Domanas is deciding between Stony Brook University and SUNY Binghamton. She wants to major in biology in the dentistry track.
Ujikutu also plans on majoring in biology and focusing on medicine/nutrition and is also deciding between the same schools.
Mendoza has gotten acceptance letters from seven out of his eight applications and has not narrowed down his choices yet. He wants to study computer science/engineering.
All three students will be speaking at graduation in June, and have started to think about their speech topics.
“I want to dwell on memories through out high school, as stressful as it was at times there were years to cherish and there are a lot of good memories between me and my grade,” Domanas said. “We’ve been in school together for 14 years so it’s crazy that we’re finally at this point. I want to be able to connect with my peers. ”
