Hard Work Pays Off For Seaford's Top Students

Classmates since first grade, Lauren King and Eric Schneider are the top two graduates of Seaford High School’s Class of 2019. King, with a grade point average of 103.80, was named valedictorian, and salutatorian Schneider finished with a GPA of 103.03.

Since their days together at Seaford Manor Elementary School, the two have consistently challenged themselves with rigorous coursework while getting involved in numerous extracurricular and community service activities. They have both taken 11 Advanced Placement courses in high school.

King is an avid musician who plays the bass clarinet, tenor saxophone and baritone saxophone. She has been a member of the marching band, pep band, pit orchestra, concert band and symphonic band, with her musical accomplishments earning her induction into the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Additionally, she has been a member of the robotics team, mock trial, Key Club, Mathletes, National Honor Society and Freshmen Mentors, as well as captain of the girls varsity field hockey team.

Outside of school, King is a Girl Scout and earned her Gold Award for creating a peer music tutoring program between members of Tri-M and middle school students. This past summer, she participated in Brookhaven National Laboratory’s High School Research Program. She is also a junior counselor with the HOBY Youth Leadership program.

Schneider is president of the senior class, general chair of Model Congress and treasurer of the drama club, for which he has acted in the past three musical productions. He also is a member of the varsity cross country and spring track teams, the Homecoming committee and the school’s Shared Decision Making Committee.

He has interned with Congressman Peter King and Massapequa Park Mayor Jeffrey Pravato, is captain of the Seaford Fire Department Explorer Post, belongs to Operation SPLASH and participated in the New York Boys State program through the American Legion.

King and Schneider both added that they are grateful to their teachers and guidance counselors for the support they have provided throughout high school.

“It’s really exciting and a great honor,” King said of achieving the top rank in the class. “I have worked really hard and always wanted to do the best that I could.”

Photo courtesy Seaford School District