Schools

Meet the WI High School Class of 2010 Valedictorian

Krystyna Oszkinis makes the world a better place

"I can't wait to expand my horizons and take advantage of what the world has to offer," said Krystyna Oszkinis, valedictorian of West Islip High School's Class of 2010.

Oszkinis, 18, attributes the highest honor earned by a high school student to hard work, but says being a natural learner is a big help. Academics do come naturally to me. Once I write something, I tend to remember it," she said.

Oszkinis certainly fits the bill of a hard working, well-rounded high school student whose classroom and extra-curricular accomplishments speak for themselves. Along with carrying an impressive 104.47 weighted grade point average, earning her (among many honors) the AP Scholar with Distinction Award, Oszkinis, an avid runner, has shone in athletics as well. She has a four-year varsity letter and is the current owner of five school records across three sports including cross country, and winter and spring track.

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The Academic All-County and Scholar Athlete Award winner includes winning the Suffolk County League championship for spring track among her most exciting high school memories. "It felt like my entire West Islip track career had been leading up that moment," she said.

With an already impressive academic repertoire, Oszkinis will extend her studies at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire beginning next fall. Honored with a handful of scholarships and laden with excitement about the college's location and friendly atmosphere, Oszkinis is exploring the possibility of studying environmental science, an interest that she says was sparked by spending her childhood with her family outdoors.  

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Inspired by the day-to-day life of ancient civilizations, a subject she finds "fascinating," Oszkinis is also planning on taking a wide array of classes to peak her interests. "I will see where they take me," she said.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of West Islip's 52nd graduating valedictorian, is her desire to succeed. Oszkinis describes herself as "driven" and "ambitious", and says she never envisioned herself as valedictorian of her class but never rebuked the possibility either." I always put an effort into my schoolwork and it worked out," she said.

Enthused by optimism and vision, Oszkinis hopes to inspire people to never give up on accomplishing their goals. In fact, she says apathy would be "incredible" to do away with. "So many of the world's problems could be fixed if everyone took a few positive actions or made some simple changes of habit," she said.

Oszkinis has already impacted people close to her. Her mother Eva describes her daughter as "an amazing person who is intelligent, athletic and caring, and who enjoys life and wants to make a difference in the world."

Oskinis is aware of the challenges that lay ahead, but is also relishing in the honor of being named valedictorian of the class of 2010. "It is a really great feeling for people to look up to me for help and advice," she said.  

Humble words from an extraordinary student.


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