They demonstrate talent and diversity. Knowledge and leadership. The spirit of volunteerism, and a passion for learning. In short, Michael Ma, Robert Wong and Ian Yohai are the best of the 1999 Syosset graduating class.

Ma, this year's valedictorian, said that in his commencement speech, he will remind his peers that it is "important doing what you want to do in life." And when he goes to Stanford University this fall, he plans on following his own advice. The science-phile is already considering a major in chemistry or engineering, and has long-range plans to attend graduate business school.

He chose Stanford because, out of all the top-notch universities to which he applied, "I thought Stanford had the best social life and sporting activities."

No doubt that's important to Ma, who seems to always like to keep himself busy. In his fours years in Syosset High, he has been vice president of the Science Olympiad, varsity captain of Quiz Bowl and a leader in the Nassau County Interscholastic Chess League.

He is a National Merit Finalist, and a member of the National Honor Society and the National Spanish Honor Society.

In addition, Ma has spent many hours in Syosset doing volunteer work, whether it be assembling bicycles for the needy with Syosset Youth Services' Recycle-A-Cycle program, or performing clerical work at Syosset's North Shore University Hospital.

Ma is also a classical pianist who holds a Royal Schools of Music Certificate of Merit. "I don't like competing on any scale anymore, but I still enjoy playing," he said.

Ma is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Dartmouth College Book Award, the New York State Science Education Leadership Association Chemistry Award, the George Washington University Engineering Medal and the Brookhaven National Laboratory Microcomputer Club Award of Achievement.

Ma began school in the Syosset district, but after his family moved, Ma spent his third- and fourth-grade years in Arizona. He returned to Syosset for fifth grade, and claims to this day that he could tell the difference in the quality of his education.

In Arizona, said Ma, the district's educational program was "substantially weaker than it was here" in Syosset, where the curriculum is "way more advanced."

Robert Wong is the first of two Syosset salutatorians. A National Merit Finalist, an AP Scholar, a New York State Merit Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society, Wong will be attending Yale in September.

Wong served as captain on the Varsity Quiz Bowl team, and is outgoing president of the Science Club. He was also the music librarian of his school's orchestra, for which he played the violin. Wong first picked up the instrument in third grade. "It gives me a break from my studying," Wong explained. Wong's musical contributions also included his role as chairperson for the New York State's School Music Association Festival.

Wong has received the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Award, the University of Hartford Book Award, the Award for Excellence in AP Chemistry and the New York State Science Supervisors' Awards in Chemistry and Biology. He is also listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students.

According to Wong, Syosset has prepared him well for the college experience. He praised the district because it has "lots of courses to offer, and lets you choose what you want."

Wong believes he will major in biology.

Yohai, the other salutatorian, is an Intel Semifinalist, a National Merit Commended Student and a member of the National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society. He is to attend Princeton in the fall, where he believes he will study molecular biology.

He has served as vice president of the Science Olympiad and Model UN teams, and was co-captain of Quiz Bowl. Among his awards are the Phi Beta Kappa Award, the Harvard-Radcliffe University Book Award and the New York State Education and Leadership Association Physics Award.

Yohai has participated with distinction in the National American History, National Social Studies and National Geography Olympiads.

He also spent his high school days volunteering at two local hospitals, serving as a research intern, and working in both the emergency room and poison control center.

Yohai believes that Syosset's many AP courses have prepared him for the type of college work that lies ahead for him. With the type of advanced education Syosset provides, said Yohai, "We can almost be going in as sophomores."