Deer Park High School’s Class of 2025 valedictorian and salutatorian are Reza Zorakhsh and Adib Shaikh, respectively. 

Zorakhsh, a National Merit Scholarship Finalist and AP Scholar with Distinction, will graduate with a weighted GPA of 110.53. He serves as president of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society, co-captain of the Math Team and Science Olympiad, and captain of the varsity track team. As part of Deer Park’s DECA team, he earned a silver medal at New York DECA’s 65th annual State Career Conference. Zorakhsh has not decided on a college or major.

Shaikh, an AP Scholar with Distinction, will graduate with a weighted GPA of 109.20. He serves as president of the STEM Club, executive vice president of DECA, treasurer of the Spanish Honor Society and Red Cross Club; is a member of the National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Science Honor Society, New York DECA Honor Society, Muslim Student Association and Social Issues Club; and earned the New York State Seal of Biliteracy. Shaikh will attend Stony Brook University, majoring in applied mathematics and statistics.

Date Added: 5/5/2025

Young technology innovator Aimen Khan, a junior at Deer Park High School, was recently recognized by the state of Texas for her work with other student inventors in the STEM field.

Khan’s entrepreneurial story began when she was in sixth grade and attending a private school. She was introduced to renowned aerospace scientist Mirza Faizan, who founded the DiscoverSTEM company in Plano, Texas. Faizan suggested that Khan and her technology-oriented friends apply for a patent, and visited Long Island to assist them on the project, which focused on technology to prevent car hydroplaning in adverse weather conditions. That patent was not approved, but the long process provided Khan the opportunity to gain additional experience, including developing a concept to help NASA transport people to the moon more efficiently for potential lunar habitation.

More recently, Khan became involved in a startup project, co-founding the UVSET company. Following the COVID-19 pandemic and its issues of infection, UVSET developed an intelligent door handle disinfection system using UV-C light, ensuring that door handles are automatically disinfected after every touch. She and the other UVSET innovators were then invited to the Texs state capital in Austin for official recognition of their accomplishment.

“It was a spectacular experience,” Khan said. “I was able to talk to a lot of different people and network myself out there.”

At school, Khan serves as vice president of the Muslim Student Association and is a member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. In her community, she serves as secretary of the Junior Fire Department, interned at the town historian’s office and assists with media operations at the PrintURShirts shirt-printing company. Khan plans to work in the marketing field, and is currently working on marketing UVSET here in New York.

Date Added: 5/1/2025

  

For this year’s musical, Deer Park High School pulled out all the stops for spectacular performances of “The Wizard of Oz” on April 4 and 5. The stellar production was directed and choreographed by Kristen Wallace. Catherine Singer served as music and vocal director, Scott Abrams as pit orchestra and lighting director, and Michael DiCarlo as sound director.

The dedicated and talented cast included Bryana Aguilar and Arielle Salgado s Dorothy Gale, Andre DeLosSantos as yhe Scarecrow, William Fox as the Tin Man, Dominic Romano as the Cowardly Lion, Nathalie Martillo as Glinda the Good Witch of the North, Amaiyah Elysee as Miss Almira Gulch and the Wicked Witch of the West, Gavin Lallbachan as Professor Chester Marvel and the Wizard of Oz, Dynella Whyte as Aunt Em, Frankie Alfieri as Uncle Henry and Nikko, Kerwin Bartholomew as Emerald City Guard, and Malachi Pierre-Louis as the Mayor of Munchkin City.

“This production was truly magical, both on and off of the stage,” Wallace said. “The energy, passion and teamwork of our student actors, dancers, singers and pit players and the stage, lighting and sound crews, along with our faculty and theater parents, brought the stage to life and made the show unforgettable.”  

Date Added: 5/1/2025

Deer Park High School students in Ian Kyranakis’ career planning class took a step beyond the classroom and into the real world through participation in a Job Shadowing Day on March 20. The students shadowed professionals in a range of careers, including chiropractic, insurance, law enforcement and physical therapy, providing an opportunity for them to explore various careers firsthand, ask questions and gain valuable insight into day-to-day professional life. By observing industry professionals, the students were able to connect their learning to real-world applications, spark new interests and begin envisioning their own career paths. 

“It was a day full of learning, inspiration and growth,” Kyranakis said.

Date Added: 4/28/2025

At the Deer Park School District’s April 22 Board of Education meeting, Deer Park High School celebrated the top 10 academically ranked students of the graduating Class of 2025. With their proud families attending, school administrators and guidance counselors honored valedictorian Reza Zorakhsh, salutatorian Adib Shaikh and the remaining top 10 ranked seniors: Shubat Alam (third), Matthew Flores (fourth), Valerie Ponte (fifth), Gloria Min (sixth), Lissha Varghese (seventh), Utku Uysal (eighth), Hassan Rehman (ninth) and Naeil Alim (10th).

“You’re obviously here for your academic qualifications and accomplishments,” Principal Charlie Cobb told the seniors. “But it’s all the other little things that have rounded you out as a student to get to this point in time. Many of you will go on to college, some will work in the workforce, or may have other plans after high school. Know that what you’ve accomplished here is just a stepping stone for what you look to do after Deer Park High School.”

“To our valedictorian, salutatorian and the other top eight students of the Class of 2025, you have been an exemplary example of hard work, true grit and personal success,” Board President Donna Marie Elliott said. “You have been an important part of life in Deer Park, navigating tough days and celebrating great days during your high school careers. Once you graduate, you will be part of the Deer Park Falcons alumni. To be a member of this group is to feel a sense of pride that you are a part of a great community who from far and wide, still have devotion to Deer Park and to each other. No matter what road you travel, no matter what experiences you have, during your worst days and during your best days, never forget that you are a Falcon and that you have a group of people cheering for you and ready to support you whenever you need it.”

John Quincy Adams Primary School first grader Joshua Cyrius was also recognized for finishing in second place countywide in the Suffolk County Bicycle Safety Poster contest. Suffolk County Legislator Tom Donnelly was on hand to present Cyrius with a certificate.

In staff recognition, John F. Kennedy Intermediate School aide Tina Caruso was honored for her expertise in saving the life of a choking student by performing the Heimlich maneuver.

“Tina demonstrated incredible bravery and quick thinking,” Superintendent James Cummings said. “Thanks to her fast response and calmness under pressure, the student was able to recover safely. Because of Tina’s diligence and heroic actions, what could have been a tragic situation, had a happy ending. We are incredibly grateful for her presence, professionalism and care for our students.”

Date Added: 4/24/2025