At the Nov. 15 Board of Education meeting, Hicksville Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ted Fulton began his report by acknowledging Hicksville High School Class of 2024 valedictorian Melanie Unger and salutatorian Zahel Nasari.
Melanie Unger’s commitment to academic excellence is truly commendable, and she possesses a natural aptitude for learning. Melanie is an exemplary student with numerous achievements. In addition to perfect scores on some of her Regents exams, she has scored either 5 or 4 on every Advanced Placement Exam she took throughout high school her high school career.
Among her many accolades, Melanie was awarded the Horatio Alger Scholarship ($25,000) for her resilience and she also broke the Hicksville High School record in the 200-Free relay in swim. The valedictorian was awarded the 2023 Alumni Association for her dedication as a Long Beach Lifeguard. Currently, Melanie is a finalist in the very competitive Questbridge program which pairs deserving high-achieving seniors with the most prestigious universities in the country.
Melanie is looking forward to studying STEM in college with a possible focus in either Chemistry, Mathematics, Nursing, or Pre-med. She would like to either practice medicine or have a career in science research.
In addition to salutatorian Zahel Nasari’s noteworthy academic accomplishments, she stands out as a special student due to her compassion, warmth, humility, and philanthropic spirit. Throughout her high school journey, she has been active in a range of activities volunteering with the Lamia Afghan Foundation, Breast Cancer Comfort Foundation, Women for Afghan Women, New York Blood Center and Long Island Alzheimer’s and Dementia Center that have contributed to her personal growth while demonstrating unwavering commitment to community involvement.
Throughout her high school career, Zahel has served as Treasurer and Secretary of the Natural Helpers Club, Editor-in-Chief of Comet News, Vice President of the Ecology Club, Vice President of the Key Club, Rho Kappa Honor Society Secretary, Spanish Honor Society Treasurer, and National Honor Society Volunteer Coordinator. Zahel plans to pursue a major in Medical Humanities, focusing on examining health through social, political, structural, and historical lenses.
Following the valedictorian and salutatorian recognitions, Dr. Fulton acknowledged the Hicksville High School marching band for their amazing 2023 competitive season. The dedicated students spent their weekends during the months of September and October competing locally. In November, they finished the season in Syracuse participating in the New York State Field Band Championships placing first in their division. This was the third year the marching band was named New York State Field Band Champions.
(l-r) Hicksville Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ted Fulton, Hicksville Board of
Education President Annette Beiner, Class of 2024valedictorian Melanie Unger,
salutatorian Zahel Nasari and Hicksville High School Principal Ray Williams.
(l-r) Hicksville High School Assistant Marching Band Director Michael Caruso,
Marching Band Director Kerri Kamping, Hicksville Supervisor of Fine Arts Chad
Wyman, students and Drum Majors Isabella Ortellado, John Ryan Chaplin, Gia Rangi,
Hicksville Board of Education President Annette Beiner, Hicksville High School
Principal Ray Williams and Hicksville Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ted Fulton.
Students on screen included members of the Hicksville High School Marching Band
via live feed for participation.