The William Floyd School District has announced the valedictorian and salutatorian for the William Floyd High School Class of 2025. Alice Chen has been named valedictorian, while Rachel Chen is the salutatorian.
Alice Chen, with a weighted grade point average of 104.5, will attend Harvard University to major in chemical and physical biology with a minor in government. During her high school years, she was involved in numerous extracurricular activities. As a junior, she participated in the Y-USA National Changemakers Competition, where her team won first place among 80 entries nationwide. The proposal focused on combating nitrogen pollution on Long Island using rain gardens filled with native plants and received a $5,000 grant.
In addition to her environmental work, Alice was active in the YMCA Youth and Government program and held statewide leadership positions such as public defender and attorney general during conferences. She also competed in the YMCA National Judicial Competition and was selected as one of New York’s highest-rated justices.
Alice's involvement extended to the Floyd Robotics Team 287, where she served as safety captain, head of design, and media captain over different years. Her team achieved notable successes including winning industrial design awards and being regional finalists.
She also led efforts under the Stony Brook University Science Technology Entry Program (STEP) as Long Island Nitrogen Plan Lead. Her team won the Long Island Water Quality Challenge securing a $2,100 grant for implementing rain gardens at William Floyd High School.
Rachel Chen earned a weighted grade point average of 102.12 and plans to study health science or biology at the University of Virginia. Throughout high school, Rachel excelled academically while participating in various extracurricular activities and volunteer services.
Her roles included serving as an Emergency Medical Services volunteer with Shirley Ambulance and participating in Northwell Health's Junior Leadership Council. She also volunteered at Long Island Community Hospital/NYU Langone providing patient support services.
Rachel held leadership positions within student organizations such as president of the William Floyd High School Medical Club and vice president of the National Honor Society. She participated in initiatives like donor registry drives and community service projects through these clubs.
Both Alice and Rachel are graduating with AP Capstone distinctions on their diplomas—a recognition given to students who score well on AP Seminar, AP Research exams, along with four additional AP exams.
Their academic journeys began at Moriches Elementary School before progressing through William Floyd Middle School.