Bellport High School has announced the top 10 students of the Class of 2024. Leading the group are Samantha DeLillo and Jordan Truce, who will serve as valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, and Daniel Lewkowski, the class essayist. The three seniors earned the top spots through their outstanding commitment to academics. Rounding out the list of high-achieving seniors are Andie Pedatella, Connor Murphy, Brynn Johnsen, Ella Steckle, Dylan Knakal, Madeline Budris and Claire Cannella.        

DeLillo is an AP Scholar with Distinction and will be graduating with an AP Capstone designation. She is a member of her school’s National, Science, Italian, Math and Tri-M Music honor societies. As a multitalented musician, she participates in the clarinet choir, jazz band and pit orchestra. In addition to playing the clarinet, she performs on the flute and the tenor, alto and soprano saxophone. She is also the class president, a member of student council and president of the Future Teachers of America Club. In addition, she belongs to Interact and the Students for Environmental Quality Club and has participated in Athletes Helping Others, Special Olympics, Unified Basketball and Unified Bowling. Outside of school, she is a competitive dancer. She intends to study special education in college. Her advice to underclassmen for success is to “take advantage of every opportunity” and “do everything you can when you can.”

Truce is an AP Scholar with Distinction and will be graduating with an AP Capstone designation. She is a member of her school’s National, Science, Math and Tri-M Music honor societies.  She is also vice president of the Future Teachers of America club and secretary of the Math Honor Society. She serves as a member of her school’s chamber choir, Interact and Students for Environmental Quality Club. She plans to study political science in the fall. She offered the following advice to underclassman: “Make connections with your teachers and fellow students.”

Lewkowski is an AP Scholar with Distinction and will also be graduating with an AP Capstone designation. He is a member of his school’s National, Science and Math honor societies and his school’s Italian Club. He plans to study sociology in the fall. His advice to underclassman is to “prioritize your mental health over grades and don’t over-focus on success.”

Date Added: 3/20/2024