Once upon a time, Victoria Ferraro and Ethan Chen were sitting in their kindergarten classes at Forest Lake Elementary School learning how to count, write sentences and make new friends. Now, 12 years later, their growth both academically and socially has led them to the top of Wantagh High School’s Class of 2026.

 

Victoria is the valedictorian with a 108.428 grade point average, and Ethan is salutatorian with a weighted GPA of 108.119. Their stellar grades alone don’t tell the story of their high school careers, as they are involved in numerous extracurricular activities and are role models for their fellow students.  

 

Sitting in a recent math class, Victoria was called down to the guidance office, and then brought to Principal Dr. Paul Guzzone’s office, where she found out she was valedictorian. 

 

“I was so proud of myself that all of my hard work and dedication paid off,” she said. “I called my mom and she was crying because she was so happy.”

 

Ethan was in English class when his presence was requested in Dr. Guzzone’s office, and called his parents once he learned of the good news. 

 

During her time at Wantagh High School, Victoria has taken 14 Advanced Placement courses and said her biggest area of interest is math. In college, she wants to major in mathematics and is eager to explore possible career paths. She is president of the National Honor Society and the Math Honor Society, a member of the Business, English, Science and World Language (for Italian) honor societies, and is involved in Health Occupational Students of America and Mathletes. Outside of school, Victoria participates in All Star Cheer and travels the country for competitions, coaches for the Wantagh Arrows youth cheerleading program, is a volunteer tutor for the Schoolhouse SAT Boot Camp program and is a summer camp counselor with the Town of Oyster Bay.

 

Ethan has enrolled in 12 AP courses, and has particularly enjoyed math and AP Physics. He is president of the Science Honor Society, vice president of Wantagh Animal Rights and Recycling, treasurer of the National and Math honor societies and a member of the Key Club, Mathletes and World Language Honor Society (for Italian). Ethan runs with the cross-country, winter and spring track teams, and is a summer volunteer at the Wantagh Public Library. After high school, he wants to major in biomedical engineering and possibly become a doctor.

 

The top ranks are among many accolades the scholars have already earned. Victoria received the Harvard Book Award and Nassau County Comptroller Math, Accounting and Finance Award, and is a National Merit commended student. Ethan earned the Rensselaer medal and is a National Merit semifinalist. Both are also an AP Scholar with Distinction.

 

Since they were in class for the first time together way back in first grade, a lot of time and effort has been put into their studies and developing skills that led to success. They attribute their achievements to a strong work ethic, an ability to stay organized and a willingness to put in the time to succeed. Victoria and Ethan also credit attending a school that has dedicated teachers and a wide variety of course offerings and clubs. 

 

“The school gives us a lot of opportunities to take different classes and participate in extracurricular activities,” Ethan said. “I’ve had the freedom to explore whatever my passions are.”

 

Principal Dr. Paul Guzzone said that earning the ranks of valedictorian and salutatorian are a combination of intelligence and work ethic. “The commitment and resilience they have shown are qualities that are going to lead them to even greater successes after high school,” he added. 

 

“Victoria and Ethan are tremendous academic scholars, but even more importantly they are tremendous people,” Dr. Guzzone said. “They are going to go on to do great things and make Wantagh High School proud.”