On Sunday, June 23, the class of 2002 will bid farewell with a valedictory and salutatory address to the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District at the high school commencement exercises, keeping a tradition dating back hundreds of years. The valedictorian is selected as the student with the highest academic standing in the graduating class; the salutatorian is the student with the second highest academic standing in the class. Arthur Jonas, principal of Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK High School, recently announced the two outstanding students.

Jason Schatten has been named the class valedictorian of the Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School Class of 2002. In addition to Schatten's academic standing, he has rounded out his high school experience with his involvement in myriad school activities. Schatten is vice president of the National Honor Society and is a member of the Spanish and Science Honor Societies. He is an executive officer in the Mathletes Club and has participated in the Science Olympiad, Quiz Bowl, Community Service Club, and METMUNC. Schatten has been presented with the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Award, for outstanding achievement in mathematics and science. He has earned a National Merit Letter of Commendation for his performance on the PSAT and was honored on the New York State Merit Roll for the American Contest 10 for Mathematics.

Schatten has also been involved in independent science research. After spending the past summer in a biomedical engineering laboratory at SUNY Stony Brook, he wrote a paper entitled, "The Development of Elastic Fibers in the Absence of Fibrillin, With Additional pH and Temperature Variable." He has since entered his work in the Intel Science Talent Search, Siemens Westinghouse Competition, and Long Island Science and Engineering Fair. Schatten and his parents, Madelyn and Michael, have lived in Plainview for over six years. He loves sports and is an avid New York Yankees fan, as evidenced by the fact that he is rarely seen without his trademark Yankees cap. " Jason has had a very rewarding high school experience, taking advantage of many opportunities afforded to him," noted Mr. Jonas. "We are proud of his performance and look forward to his certain success in the future."

James Battista has recently been named salutatorian of the graduating class of Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School. Battista has not only maintained superior grades, but he has challenged himself by taking an extensive number of Advanced Placement and Honors classes. Battista was nominated to attend the National Student Leadership Conference for Health Care and Medicine. As a member of this prestigious program, he attended conferences and listened to presenters that involved many current health issues such as HMO's Stem Cell Research as well as other ethical issues dealing with the health care field.

Additionally, he was selected to conduct research with SUNY Stony Brook on a project titled: "The Creation of Interactive Voice Responsive System to Optimize Emergency Response Notification." Battista is a very well-rounded student who has been involved in several extracurricular activities in high school. He is an avid soccer player who is a member of the Varsity Team. Battista has been successful at making it to the All-County semifinals. Additionally, he is a member of the National and Spanish Honor Societies, Mathletes, and is the vice president of the Community Service Club. Battista has also participated in several volunteer projects such as coordinating senior citizen functions for the community service club, the American Cancer Society Walk Against Breast Cancer and working with autistic children in coordination with his local church. He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards including the Excellence in Anatomy and Physiology Award, and the Bausch and Lomb Science Award for Excellence in Science. "James' high school years demonstrate a serious and diligent commitment to excelling in his academic studies as well as a dedication to participating in noteworthy community causes and extracurricular activities," noted Mr. Jonas.