Eastport-South Manor Names 2026 Valedictorian & Salutatorian

Andrew Santangelo and Michell Zheng earned top honors in Eastport-South Manor Jr.-Sr. High School's Class of 2026, with Santangelo as valedictorian and Zheng as salutatorian.

Santangelo compiled a 106.7 weighted GPA across 13 Advanced Placement and 10 Honors courses, concentrating on STEM. He co-founded the Robotics Club, competed in Science Olympiad, won National Merit Scholar recognition, and captured a state championship as an All-County Academic Elite athlete. He also plays an instrument.

"I'm absolutely honored to be valedictorian," Santangelo said. "I will especially miss all the opportunities available at this school and all the clubs and organizations I've joined." He plans to study aerospace engineering but has not selected a university.

Zheng achieved a 106.5 weighted GPA and serves as president of the Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society and secretary of the Spanish World Language Honor Society. He captained the Math Olympiads team and led the Coding Club through 11th grade. Zheng plays varsity tennis, helps operate his family's restaurant, and builds and sells custom desktop computers.

"ESM has served as an extraordinary place for me to find and spend time enjoying my passions with like-minded people," Zheng said. He plans to pursue nuclear engineering or mathematics combined with computer science but has not chosen a college.

Principal Salvatore Alaimo said both students exemplify the class through their work ethic and curiosity.