High School Class of 2020 valedictorian Grace Gallagher was recently recognized by the Suffolk County School Superintendents Association, which continued its important tradition of honoring the highest-achieving graduates in Suffolk despite the pandemic and early closure of schools. The SCSSA’s 26th annual Valedictorians Luncheon unfortunately had to be canceled, but the valedictorians’ achievements were not unrecognized.

On behalf of the SCSSA, West Islip Superintendent Bernadette Burns presented Gallagher with a commemorative program, congratulatory video, a certificate of achievement and a cherished childhood storybook, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss. The program and video, created especially for the Class of 2020, featured information about each valedictorian’s school district, their formal senior yearbook photo, their college of choice and anticipated major.