The Malverne Board of Education recognized the achievements of its academic leaders, valedictorian, and salutatorian at their May 12 meeting. Malverne principal Dr. Kesha Bascombe and Superintendent Dr. Maria Rianna congratulated the students with speeches. The students were also given plaques commemorating their achievements, and the top two graduates gave small speeches of their own.
“Time moves quickly, but with preparation, perseverance, support, and belief in yourself, dreams become begin to take shape in different ways for different people,” Bascombe said. “Tonight, we celebrate our students, whose dreams, determination, and commitment to academic excellence have brought them to this stage as leaders of the class of 2026.”
Donna Bailey, salutatorian Lorraine Akou’s guidance counselor, and Peter Gersbeck, valedictorian Dayami Guaman’s guidance counselor, gave speeches supporting the top two students, expressing their pride in the two and the confidence in them to accomplish all they set out to do.
“Lorraine has served as an administrative officer for the Model UN program, executive board member in the Service Learning Club, and president of the National Honors Society,” Bailey said. “I wish Lorraine warm congratulations, and I know she will make Malverne District very proud, and it was an honor to be your counselor,” she concluded.
“[Dayami] has grown into an incredible leader and a role model whose confidence truly shines,” Gersbeck said. “Whether she was leading as president of the Key Club, founding the Youth in Medicine program, promoting mental health awareness, or volunteering in healthcare settings, her goal was always the same: to improve the lives around her.”
After Dayami Guaman and Lorraine Akou were honored, the rest of the Academic Leaders were given plaques and announced their colleges and majors. The students to be selected as Academic Leaders were Nicholas Bernabe, Makayla Boubert, Evelyn Brown, Nahmiah Bryant, Alesia Canales, Melanie Clement, Syria Corlette, Matthew Dacosta, Renardo Gordon, Geoffrey Gross, Brea Haye, Moradeke Iyageh, Danielle Johnson, Jasmine Lugo, Marley Manley, Zamari Paul, Emmy Pierre, Aurora Shields, Ethan Suarez, and Krystine Tapiador.
Science research programs at Herber Middle School as well as Malverne High were also recognized at the ceremony, along with Malverne athletes.
