YHS Valedictorian Michael Park, Salutatorian Maria Mavrommatis Celebrate Commencement with Class of 2013

The Yorktown High School class of 2013 celebrated its commencement on June 22, featuring speeches by valedictorian Michael Park and salutatorian Maria Mavrommatis.  

Park and Mavrommatis have participated in civic internships together at the Hilltop Hanover Farm in Yorktown, as well as the Yorktown High School Science Research Program.

Michael Park is heading to Yale University, “gunning for premed” but willing to explore options. Describing his experience in Yorktown as where he “found my own voice and discovered my identity,” he described Yorktown as the place where he had the opportunity to be a part of the community and make a really great group of friends.

The young man, voted “Mr. Yorktown 2013” by a panel of judges, for talents including runway, singing, dancing and interviews, has been involved in the YHS science research program for three years, analyzing RNA from various genes as part of the human pseudo genome project at Phillips Research and studying the effects of ultrasound radiation on the characteristics of raw water with Dr. Peter Santhanam. He has played violin for many years, is president of the National Honor Society and captain of the varsity tennis team.

Salutatorian Maria Mavrommatis plans to head to Columbia University to pursue the biological sciences with a concentration on neuroscience  She referenced having developed a sense of self in Yorktown, in learning that she could accomplish what she set out to do. She was also involved in the YHS science research program, studying the relationship between pregnancy and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) at Columbia Presbyterian, and a second study at Mount Sinai studying links between socioeconomic status and stroke.  

A pianist for many years, she was Editor in Chief of the YHS student newspaper, The Voice.