CHSN Names Class of 2026 Valedictorian and Co-Salutatorians

CCSD is proud to announce Clarkstown High School North’s Class of 2026 valedictorian and co-salutatorians: Cecilia Simoes, Vincent Luu and Lyla Manini!

Valedictorian Cecilia is a member of the Mu Alpha Theta, Science, Social Studies, World Language and English honor societies, SAGA Yearbook Club (editor-in-chief), French Club (former president) and Epiphany (editor). She serves as treasurer for the National Honor Society and has been a member of the Clarkstown varsity fencing team as a foil fencer for the last 3 years. She has been recognized with two Superior designations in the National Council of Teachers of English Writing Contest, as a result of her literary creativity and devotion to self expression. Additionally, she has won a silver and bronze medal in the National French Contest (Le Grand Concours) for her French language skills and commitment to multilingualism. Cecilia supports her community through her engagement with the youth as a children’s liturgist for St. Anthony’s Church and a LEGO® Robotics Instructor for Lakewood Elementary School’s FIRST® LEGO® League team, occasionally assisting the outreach/impact branch of CHSN’s 8-Bit Rams Robotics team. Over the summer, Cecilia works as a camp counselor for Clarkstown Parks and Recreation. Outside of school, she enjoys writing and reading creative works such as poetry, short stories and personal essays.

She plans to pursue a career in speech-language pathology as a speech therapist in an elementary school or private practice. She will be majoring in communication disorders, under the accelerated 3+2 Speech Language Pathology Dual Degree program at Sacred Heart University. She hopes to continue supporting and accommodating young students and individuals as they grow beyond their communication difficulties and develop into capable and confident speakers.

Co-Salutatorian Vincent is a member of the Science and Mu Alpha Theta honor societies as well as a member of the National, English and Art honor societies, Epiphany (editor) and the Forensic League at North. As an Advanced Placement (AP) student, Vincent received recognition as an AP Language Student of the Year in 2025. In his senior year of high school, he enrolled at Rockland Community College (RCC) in the Early Admit Program. While at RCC, Vincent has continued competing in public speaking. This spring, Vincent also attended the National Model United Nations (NMUN) in New York, serving as a head delegate (vice president) for RCC’s Model UN club. While balancing family responsibilities as a translator and technology assistant for his parents and relatives, Vincent has involved himself in the community through volunteering for the New City Library and by participating in garbage cleanups. When not busy with school, he enjoys reading, drawing and chatting with friends. Vincent is in the process of finalizing his college decision. 

Co-Salutatorian Lyla is a member of the National, Mu Alpha Theta and World Language honor societies, as well as FLOW Club and has participated in varsity cross country for the past four years. She also serves as a peer leader in the World of Difference program, a board member of Varsity Athletes Against Substance Abuse (VAASA) and co-founder and -president of the Clarkstown for Climate club, the in-school branch of the larger environmental non-profit to which she serves as head chair. A dedicated community member, Lyla is also captain of the New City Volunteer Ambulance Youth Corps and has coordinated multiple community health fairs throughout high school. She is primarily interested in neuroscience and public health and has conducted research at both the Addiction Institute of Mount Sinai, within the Department of Neuroscience, and the Multiple Sclerosis Comprehensive Care Center of NYU, within the Department of Neurology. Lyla plans to study biological sciences at the University of Maryland this fall.

Congratulations to these outstanding students on their accomplishments!