Eastport-South Manor announces top graduates for Class of 2026

Eastport-South Manor Jr.-Sr. High School has named Andrew Santangelo and Michell Zheng as valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, of the Class of 2026.

Principal Salvatore Alaimo praised both students for their strong academic achievement, leadership and broad extracurricular involvement.

“Andrew and Michell are both well-rounded scholars whose relentless work ethic and instinctive curiosity inspire our entire school,” Alaimo said. “Together, they exemplify the limitless achievement of the Class of 2026.”

With a weighted GPA of 106.7, Andrew Santangelo has compiled an extensive academic record that includes 13 advanced placement courses and 10 honors courses, with a strong emphasis in STEM subjects.

Beyond academics, Santangelo is a National Merit Scholar, co-founder of the school’s Robotics Club, a Science Olympiad participant and member of several honor societies. He is also involved in music and athletics, where he has earned recognition as a state champion and an All-County Academic Elite athlete.

Santangelo plans to study aerospace engineering this fall, but said he is still weighing multiple college offers.

“I’m absolutely honored to be valedictorian,” Santangelo said. “I will especially miss all the opportunities available at this school and all the clubs and organizations I’ve joined throughout.”

Salutatorian Michell Zheng earned a weighted GPA of 106.5 while building a wide-ranging portfolio of academic and extracurricular involvement shaped by what he describes as a “never bored” mindset.

Zheng serves as president of the Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society and secretary of the Spanish section of the World Language Honor Society. He is also captain of the Math Olympiads team, a varsity tennis player, and previously led the Coding Club.

Outside school, Zheng helps operate his family’s local restaurant and has launched a small business assembling and selling custom desktop computers.

He’s focused on pursuing a career in either nuclear engineering or a combination of mathematics and computer science. He too has not yet decided which college he will attend.

“ESM has served as an extraordinary place for me to find and spend time in enjoying my passions with like-minded people,” Zheng said. “I look forward to all the opportunities that await me in the future.”

The commencement ceremony for the Class of 2026 is scheduled for Friday, June 26.

_{Top: Michell Zheng and Andrew Santangelo (Courtesy of ESM schools).}