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Massena Central announces Class of 2015 leaders; valedictorian believed to be first Native American student to achieve the honor

Posted 5/19/15

MASSENA -- Massena Central High School’s Class of 2015 leaders are valedictorian Alanna Pyke and salutatorian Annika Sandvoss. Pyke’s average is 98.29. She will earn Regents with advanced …

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Massena Central announces Class of 2015 leaders; valedictorian believed to be first Native American student to achieve the honor

Posted

MASSENA -- Massena Central High School’s Class of 2015 leaders are valedictorian Alanna Pyke and salutatorian Annika Sandvoss.

Pyke’s average is 98.29. She will earn Regents with advanced designation with honors and international baccalaureate diplomas.

"She is also believed to be the first student of Native American heritage to earn the distinction of valedictorian at Massena Central School,” a statement from the school said.

She is the daughter of Patrick and Michelle Pyke of Hogansburg.

Pyke applied to all eight Ivy League schools and was accepted at seven. She plans to attend Yale University in the fall to study biomedical engineering.

“As a participant in the IB diploma program, Alanna has truly taken the single most challenging academic program available to Massena students. She is known for her maturity as a student,” the school said. “Alanna attends meticulously to her work, constantly striving to assure that every detail is completed to the best of her ability. She has a reputation for humility, quiet self-confidence and grace.”

Pyke is a member of the varsity soccer, track and lacrosse teams, MCS said. She is an assistant captain on the lacrosse squad. She is a yearly winner of Section 10’s Academic All-Northern award.

She is a member of Link Crew, where she volunteers time to mentor a group of freshmen. She has a seat on the Student Council and was elected vice president as a junior. She is a member of Interact Club, Yearbook, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and Spanish Club. As a senior, she competed with a Massena team against other teams from around St. Lawrence County at St. Lawrence University’s 71st Pi Mu Epsilon math contest. She placed fifth overall and third among seniors.

In her free time, she has learned traditional Native American arts, such as basket-making and beading. She attended Dartmouth University’s College Horizons program. She also attended a summer enrichment program through the Akwesasne Area Management Board, as well as various multi-cultural open house events while searching for a college.

This year, she traveled with a Massena student group to Costa Rica.

Pyke received the Clarkson Leadership Award, as well as the New York State Academic Excellence Scholarship. She will wear the Spanish National Honor Society stole at graduation, signifying that she is the student with the highest overall average in Spanish.

Sandvoss finishes her high school career with a 97.48 average. She has been accepted at SUNY Plattsburgh, Clarkson University, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the University of Maine. She plans to attend SUNY Plattsburgh where she will study in the nursing program. She plans to become a registered nurse practitioner.

She will earn a Regents diploma with advanced designation with honors, and has excelled in international baccalaureate math, science and visual arts classes.

She is the daughter of Kirk and Jill Sandvoss, of Massena.

Throughout high school, Sandvoss has particiapted in a wide variety of extra-curricular pursuits, including several academic competitions and enrichment activities.

“In all things, she seeks to understand ‘the big picture.’ Annika is not satisfied with learning by rote, rather she constantly seeks to understand the ‘how’ and the ‘why’ on which her learning is based,” Massena Central said. “Possessing a sharp intellect, a competitive spirit, dogged persistence, and an analytical mind, Annika has been a natural choice to be selected for such teams.”

As a senior, she competed at the Annual Pi Mu Epsilon math contest. She has also competed in Clarkson University’s Myth Olympics. As a junior, she was a participant in Clarkson University’s Project Challenge enrichment program.

Sandvoss is a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society. She has been a member of Student Council since ninth grade, and has served as the Student Council President in her junior and senior years.

“Because of her respected standing and reputation as a student leader, Annika has been asked to serve on two different student stakeholder groups that have interviewed candidates for the district superintendent position,” the school said.

She served as the secretary of her sophomore class, was a member of varsity track for two years, and also a Ski Club member.

Annika has been employed throughout high school as a hostess and expediter at Italian Affair, and she also has received training through the Resource Center for Independent Living to assist and provide care to the disabled.

“It is noteworthy to consider that, in addition to all of the myriad commitments that occupy her time, Annika is a loving and dedicated big sister who plays a very significant role within her family as she helps care for her younger sister who has intensive special needs,” the school said.

Sandvoss has received numerous honors, awards, and scholarships. Among them are the Clarkson Achievement Award, the Rosenbaum and Wanzer Awards for Chemistry, a New York State Academic Excellence Scholarship and the Alcoa Sons and Daughters Scholarship.