Great grads: Aakash Abbi, Hicksville High School
Aakash Abbi, 17, has been a "model" student - literally and figuratively. Last year, he cofounded the high school's Model
Club and has won best delegate honors at the past four Model UN conferences in which the team competed.
A violist, he's been named to the Nassau County Music Educators Association's All-County and Long Island String Festival Association's All-Island orchestras for eight straight years. He is co-president of his school's Tri-M Music Honor Society and played in the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra for six years.
He was a semifinalist in the Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology, a first-place winner in the cellular biology category of the Long Island Science & Engineering Fair, and a finalist at the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair. He is an executive board member of his school's Science Olympiad team, president of the literary magazine and founder of the Hicksville Student Enlightenment Forum, a student group that promotes social activism.
His plans: Attending the University of Pennsylvania
In his words: "Music has been most fulfilling to me on a personal level. Whenever I'm stressed or down, I listen to music or play it. It's a crutch."
The view from the guidance office: "Regardless of expectations set for him, he insists upon eclipsing them," said guidance counselor Karen Felber.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 17: Olympics a possibility for Long Beach wrestler? On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra talks with Long Beach wrestler Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez about pursuing a third state title and possibly competing in the Olympics in 2028, plus Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 17: Olympics a possibility for Long Beach wrestler? On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra talks with Long Beach wrestler Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez about pursuing a third state title and possibly competing in the Olympics in 2028, plus Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week.
