Students Honored at Final BOE Meeting of School year

It’s only fitting that the final EUFSD Board of Education Meeting of the 2025-2026 school year gave the district a chance to shine some well-deserved light on students who have accomplished significant feats in the realms of academics, athletics and the performing arts. 

And if Tuesday night was any indication, we can expect more big things from our learners next year. 

The evening began with an acknowledgment of the work done by EHS junior Elias Alexander who served as the first-ever Student Representative to the EUFSD Board of Education this year. Alexander—who was recently elected to serve as EGO Council President next year—has been a fixture at board meetings since last July, representing the voice of students across the district.

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, Assessment, and Student Success Dr. William Meyer lauded Alexander for his work throughout the school year, noting that the junior did a fantastic job defining what this position will entail for future student representatives.

“There is always a challenge in stepping into a role, but a more exceptional challenge is when you have to create that role,” said Meyer. “Not everyone has the ability to do that; you have to have passion, you have to have commitment, you have to engage with all of the stakeholders around you. Elias did this with ease, with confidence and with intuition, and we are so fortunate.”

Pentathlete Phoebe Gauld, who placed fourth at the New York State Outdoor Track & Field Championships this past weekend to cap off a school year that saw the junior establish herself as one of the most decorated Eastchester athletes of all time, was also honored, as was EHS Players Club Member Luke Ambrogio, who picked up a Metro Award for “Best Outstanding Performance in a Male-Identified Role” on Monday night.

The board also celebrated the recent success of a trio of Greenvale math whizzes, as third-graders Jin Narigon, Yuto Fukaya and Francis Musso recently placed third at the NYSED Statewide Mathematics Tournament. The group of mathematicians were previously recognized at a board meeting in March where they made a bold prediction that would eventually come true.

“We told you we wouldn’t come back empty-handed!” the trio laughed on Tuesday night.

Sarah Mortensen & Max Lin— the EHS Class of 2026 Valedictorian and Salutatorian, respectively—were also on hand to discuss what their time in Eastchester has meant to them. With graduation approaching, the duo are eager to take on the next challenges in their lives, but have had ample time to reflect on the impact that the Eastchester community has had on their development over the last several years.

“Thank you to my teachers, who—not just academically—imparted so much, they also gave me tons of valuable life advice,” said Lin. 

“If you’ve instructed me, guided me, encouraged me, or simply made me smile on a hard day, thank you,” added Mortensen. “I’m so grateful I grew up in Eastchester, and I’m so grateful for all of you.”

We are so proud of all of our students and can’t wait to see what next year brings!