Valedictorian and Salutatorian Announced

The valedictorian and salutatorian for the Carmel High School Class of 2027 are not only great students who are involved in a wide variety of activities, they are friends.  

Robbie Wright, who is a star baseball player and musician, in addition to being a scholar, was named Valedictorian. Colin Weindel, who is also an athlete, musician and scholar, was named Salutatorian. The two students, who are each in the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society, are supportive of one another.  

"When I heard it was you who made valedictorian, I was really happy," Colin told Robbie.  

The high school administrators and Carmel Central School District Superintendent Michael Plotkin invited the young men down to the College Room of the Counseling Department on Friday, Oct. 2, to surprise them with the news.  

"We are so proud of the two of you," Mr. Plotkin said. "You not only achieved fantastic grades, but you are also active in school and community life. I'm sure you both have great things ahead of you." 

Robbie, 17 and from Stormville, is already committed to Moravian University in Pennsylvania, where he was recruited to play baseball.  

"I still want to play baseball, but I also hope to become a sports team doctor," he said. "Moravian has a great science program."   

This year, Robbie attends News Visions, an academically challenging Putnam-Northern Westchester BOCES program in which he works in a hospital shadowing health care professionals while also taking college-level classes.  

"It's been an amazing opportunity," he said.  

Colin, 17 and from Carmel, plays basketball and volleyball, and plans to study to be a veterinarian. He has volunteered with the Putnam County 4H Club for many years and, this summer, worked with a genetics researcher at Stanford University to study how animals could reduce anxiety in Alzheimer’s patients.  

"When I saw it was the two of you, I was so pleased," Principal Brian Piazza said. "There couldn't be two better students to represent the Class of 2027."  

The school counselor for the two high achievers agreed that Robbie and Colin would set a great example to the student body. 

"They are both kind, considerate, self-motivated and humble," Counselor Tim Mahon said.