South Country School District Bellport High School’s valedictorian, Hannah De Los Santos, and salutatorian, Alexandria Lewkowski, took the time to speak with the Long Island Advance about their future and advice for their fellow 2023 classmates.

VALEDICTORIAN: Hannah De Los Santos

College: Penn State University

Major: Biochemistry 

Career Goal: Surgeon

Activities: varsity soccer (grades 10-12), varsity softball (grades 10-12), Athletes Helping Others (grades 10-12), Math Honor Society (grades 10-12) and vice president (grades 11-12), Science Honor Society (grades 11-12), National Honor Society (grades 10-12), Travel Soccer (grades 9-12).

ADV: What is your favorite high school memory? What will you miss about South Country?

HDLS: My favorite memories of high school have to be either having fun with my friends and Mrs. Palladino in AP World History in 10th grade, or playing out my last softball season with some girls that I’ve known almost my whole life: Giulia Gannon, Skye Dodge, and Bridget Barry. I think what I’ll miss most about South Country is going out somewhere and recognizing at least one person every time. Everyone knows everyone here.

ADV: What advice do you have for your graduating class?

HDLS: Of course, I need to say to work hard for what you want because nothing in life is just handed to you, but I also think it’s very important for everyone to know that you need to have fun and live life to the fullest, because you never know what’s coming next.

ADV: What are your plans for the future? What do you hope to achieve in your life?

HDLS: I’m planning on going to medical school to become a surgeon and possibly open my own practice, where I can provide quality care to lower-income families. My goal, no matter what else happens in my life, is to be happy. Of course, I want to be successful in my career and make money, but none of that matters if I’m not happy with my life.

 ADV: What will you be doing this summer?

HDLS: This summer I will be spending time with friends and family. I will also be working so that I can pay for college.

SALUTATORIAN: Alexandria Lewkowski

College: Stony Brook University

Major: Biology 

Career Goal: Microbiology research

Activities: WISE (grades 10-12), activities aide at nursing home (grades 11-12), National Honor Society (grades 12), Math Honor Society (community service organizer, grade 12), Science Honor Society (grades 11-12), Tri-M Music Honor Society (grade 12), violist in string, concert, and chamber orchestra (grades 9-12), LISFA (grade 12), Italian Club (grade 12).

ADV: What is your favorite high school memory? What will you miss about South Country?

AL: My favorite high school memories are those I associate with music: playing viola in all my ensembles and attending the Long Island String Festival. I will miss the relationships I have with my friends and teachers that have made my days at high school meaningful and smooth.

ADV: What advice do you have for your graduating class?

AL: Don’t let the days pass you because of anxiety about a past burden or an undetermined future. If you let that consume you, you’ll miss out on truly living, as cheesy as it sounds. 

ADV: What are your plans for the future? What do you hope to achieve in your life?

AL: I plan on pursuing education beyond a bachelor’s in microbiology. I hope to use my education in microbiology and immunology to research cancer and cancer medicine. I hope to always keep learning, to keep discovering things that fascinate me. I want to be assured that I am doing what I love and something meaningful. 

ADV: What will you be doing this summer?

AL: This summer, I plan on enjoying my time with my friends before college and continuing to work at my local nursing home. Also, I am interning at FOBB, Friends of Bellport Bay, a local organization dedicated to preserving and restoring the bay’s ecosystem.