Islip High School’s Class of 2023 valedictorian and salutatorian are Connor Autera and Nelson Chan, respectively.  

Autera, who earned a 105.38 weighted GPA, serves as vice president of the school’s student government and is a member of the Business Academy, an event coordinator for the school’s peer mentoring group and a Special Olympics volunteer. An AP Scholar with Distinction, he will graduate with an AP Capstone Diploma. A triple-sport athlete and mainstay on the varsity baseball team, he earned the Triple “I” Award and was named Class of 2023 homecoming king. Autera will attend the Darla Moore School of Business Honors College at the University of South Carolina, majoring in finance.

Chan, who earned a 104.81 weighted GPA, is a member of the National Honor Society, World Language Honor Society, and Science Olympiad and robotics teams. An AP Scholar with Distinction, he will graduate with an AP Capstone Diploma. Chan will attend Stony Brook University, majoring in computer science.

“I feel proud of myself,” Autera said. “I never really expected to be valedictorian, but I’m happy I did it.

“I also feel proud,” Chan said. “I don’t know if I deserved it, but at least I got here by putting in a lot of dedication.”

“I am exceedingly proud of your achievements,” Principal Dr. Lara Gonzalez told the students. “You are wonderful examples. It’s a really important milestone, not only in your lives but in your families’ lives, and for us, too.”

Date Added: 5/26/2023