High school announces senior class honorees
Onteora High School senior Simon Rands has been named valedictorian of the Class of 2021, according to the school.
Archie Lewis-Harris has been named salutatorian, and Emily Peck has been named winner of the Principal’s Award.
Rands, son of Rachel Remler and Tim Rands of Woodstock, has a grade average of 100.45. Throughout his high school years, he has maintained a rigorous academic schedule that included eight advanced placement (A.P.) classes, the school said in a press release.
Outside of the classroom, Rands has volunteered with the Ulster Immigrant Defense Network, served as copy editor of the school newspaper, “The Talon,” and was vice president of the school’s National Honor Society chapter, captain of the varsity soccer team and recipient of the Mid-Hudson Athletic League’s Senior Scholar Athlete Award.
Rands still is waiting to hear from a number of colleges before deciding where to continue his studies, the school said, adding that he’s interested in science, environmental justice and climate change.
Lewis-Harris, son of Donna Lewis-Harris and Martin Harris of Bearsville, holds a 99.97 grade average.
The school said he took numerous A.P. classes during his high school years and participated in numerous extracurricular activities, including varsity tennis, Science Olympiad and Jazz Band. He is a member of the National Honor Society and was selected to perform on the clarinet with the All-State Symphonic Band and the All-Eastern Concert Band. He also co-wrote a song, “Touch,” that received honorable mention in the National Association for Music Education’s Student Songwriters Competition.
Lewis-Harris will attend the Steinhardt School of Arts & Science at New York University in the fall and plans to major in screen scoring, with hopes of becoming a professional composer.
Peck, daughter of Kelly and Tim Peck of Boiceville, was selected by Onteora High School Principal Lance Edelman as the recipient of this year’s Principal’s Award. The award is given as part of a scholastic achievement awards program sponsored by the Ulster County Superintendents’ Council.
Peck, who ranks fourth in her class, has an affinity for history and related subjects and took several A.P. and elective courses in those fields, the school said. She was a member of the Harvard Model Congress and the school’s Philosophy Club. She has served as class president since ninth grade and was co-editor-in chief of the school newspaper as well as a member of the varsity tennis team.
Although still waiting for college acceptance letters, Peck plans to major in international studies or international relations and to minor in Spanish or economics, with the goal of working in diplomacy or for a nonprofit or nongovernmental organization focused on issues related to immigration or human rights.