Melissa Romano and Natalia Pashkin are the valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, of the Comsewogue High School Class of 2025.
Valedictorian Melissa Romano has been described by her teachers and peers as intellectually curious, distinctly kind, and tremendously talented, yet innately humble. Melissa has also demonstrated leadership and teamwork as the captain of the Varsity tennis team and through her involvement in various honor societies as well as the Law Club.
“Melissa has taken and mastered the most rigorous courses offered at Comsewogue High School and possesses a rare ability to critically analyze and problem solve, which has contributed to her success both in and out of the classroom,” said Principal Michael Mosca.
Melissa’s passions lie in computer science and law, which she plans to continue studying in college. She is constantly broadening her horizons by taking advantage of opportunities in her classroom and beyond, as evident in her role as a volunteer Russian language translator and transcriber in her community. In her free time, Melissa also enjoys creating digital art and teaching herself new languages.
Salutatorian Natalia Pashkin is described by her teachers and peers as goal oriented, positive, ambitious and driven. Natalia has challenged herself throughout her educational career by taking Comsewogue High School’s most advanced courses, while balancing extracurricular activities and commitments. Natalia’s leadership capabilities shine as the vice president of the Class of 2025, captain of the Varsity tennis and softball teams, and a member of the Student Leadership Committee. She has been recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction and is a member of seven honor societies.
“Natalia’s effervescent personality, coupled with her dedication to both her academics and activities, strikes a winning combination for success,” said Mr. Mosca. “She demonstrates her leadership, teamwork, and loyalty throughout all of her activities.”
In addition to her academic success, Natalia lets her creativity shine as a designer of handmade items with her own Etsy shop. She is also an animal lover who runs a pet sitting service within her community. Natalia plans to pursue a college degree in Biology with aspirations of becoming a veterinarian.