Harborfields Central School District

Harborfield High School’s top academic honors belong to Valedictorian Sara Tovar-Guacaneme, and Salutatorian Delilah Shapiro. 

Sara immigrated to the United States in seventh grade and began school as an English Language Learner. She quickly tested out of the ENL program, but never forgot her roots, serving as a tutor to other ELL students and founding the Helping Hands club. This initiative created a place where AP Spanish students can work with ENL students in a variety of ways to foster academic, personal, and social growth. 

A gifted student, Sara maintained a 108.903 grade point average. Her passion for learning and willingness to embrace challenges are evident in her rigorous schedule filled with AP courses. Throughout high school, she’s earned numerous academic excellence awards in AP Spanish, Science Research, AP Biology, Italian, Algebra Honors, and Chemistry Honors. She was named an AP Scholar with Honor, a distinction recognizing students who achieve an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, with scores of 3 or higher on at least four exams. Additionally, she has been recognized twice with College Board National Hispanic Recognition Awards for her exceptional academic performance in school and on PSAT and AP exams.

Sara is deeply committed to her school community, and most of her extracurricular activities reflect a strong service component. In addition to founding and actively participating in the Helping Hands Club, she is involved with Athletes Helping Athletes, Athletic Council, and Mathletes. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and three additional honor societies: Rho Kappa (Social Studies), Honoraria Italica (Italian), and Honoria Hispanica (Spanish). Her exceptional leadership in academics, extracurriculars, and volunteer activities earned her the New York State Senate Youth Leadership Recognition Award, presented by Senator Mario Mattera.

Beyond academics, Sara is a talented athlete. She plays volleyball, runs track, and is an All-League high jumper. 

Perhaps the most impressive highlight on Sara’s resume is her internship at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. She is one of only 15 students on Long Island selected for the prestigious Partner for the Future program. Currently, she conducts research in a breast cancer lab, staining breast tissue samples from mice to examine fibroblasts, fat cells, and other components. 

“Many qualities come to mind when I think of Sara - ambitious, compassionate, responsible, intelligent, and creative,” said her guidance counselor, Ms. DeBatto. “She is dedicated to uplifting others, whether through lending a helping hand or offering words of encouragement. She is not only a leader herself, but also has the unique ability to inspire and nurture leadership in others.” 

After graduation, Sara will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a full-ride as a recipient of the Morehead-Cain scholarship. Her future plans include conducting medical research in the fields of neuroscience or oncology. 

Salutatorian Delilah Shapiro is an outstanding member of the Class of 2025. It’s difficult to imagine how she finds the time to not only participate in so many activities, but truly excel in all of them.  

A remarkably well-rounded student, Delilah has earned awards of excellence in Biology, Spanish, Criminal Justice, AP Environmental Science, as well as Musicianship Awards for excellence in Choir and Vocal Ensemble. As a junior, she was inducted into the National Honor Society and the Rho Kappa Honor Society (Social Studies), and this year earned induction into Honoraria Hispanica, the Spanish Honor Society. Her impressive mathematical ability led to her selection for the Mathworks Math Modeling Challenge, where she collaborated with other students to solve a real-world problem using logic and math skills. Equally gifted in Science, Delilah is a valued member of the Science Olympiad and Envirothon Teams. 

Beyond academics, Delilah’s dedication to service is evident in her extracurricular involvement. She serves as Secretary of the Women’s Empowerment Club and is an active member of the Environmental Club, Key Club, and Interact Club, all of which reflect her passion for making a difference in the community

Delilah is also a highly accomplished athlete. A decorated cross-country and track star, she is a Scholar-Athlete who has earned MVP, Coaches Awards, and All-League honors. She is a member of the Athletic Council, Athletes Helping Athletes, and she also ran the track camp through the Harborfields Booster Club. While her athletic talent is undeniable, she truly shines as a mentor, inspiring young athletes with the confidence and support they need to succeed.

With an academic and extracurricular resume as strong and versatile as Delilah’s, she will be an asset to any college she decides to attend. 

“While Delilah's path forward is not yet firmly defined, her aspiration to continue studying Spanish highlights her appreciation for diverse cultures and her awareness of the value of language skills in our increasingly globalized world, said Delilah’s guidance counselor, Mrs. Ortiz-Lucin. “Delilah's openness to exploring new academic horizons and her eagerness to engage with different disciplines will undoubtedly enrich any college community she joins.”

Both Sara and Deliliah have left an indelible mark on the Harborfields community through their commitment to excellence, service, and leadership shaping a legacy that will continue to inspire students for years to come.