At Bayport-Blue Point School District’s recent board of education meeting, the district’s Class of 2021 valedictorian and salutatorian were each presented with a certificate and a medal in recognition of their outstanding academic and extracurricular accomplishments.

Valedictorian Lindsay Lessing and salutatorian Cecily Phua have each established themselves as highly motivated individuals both inside and out of the classroom, and have often crossed paths while doing so.

Lessing and Phua have each enrolled in 11 AP courses throughout their high school careers and have earned the designation of AP Scholar with Distinction. Both students are also heavily involved in the Tri-M Music Honor Society, Lessing as the chapter president and Phua as the treasurer, and are active members of Bayport-Blue Point High School’s Interact community service club.

Throughout high school, Lessing also been part of the symphonic band, jazz band, full orchestra and pit orchestra, and has represented the district in the All-County ensembles on the oboe. She was a starting defender on the field hockey team that went on to win the county championships in 2019. While she is still deciding which college she will attend, she hopes to pursue a degree in engineering or physics in the fall.

Phua studies several instruments, with flute as her main focus. She has been named a NYSSMA All-State musician, having been selected as an alternate for both flute and piccolo. She has enjoyed performing in the pit orchestra, the LIFC Honors Flute Choir, SCMEA All-County ensembles and the Bay Area Summer Orchestra. She is also involved in the Peer Education Program and the Students Against Destructive Decisions club and has played on the girls varsity golf team since her freshman year. She is also still in the process of deciding which college to attend but plans to study both science and music performance.

Bayport-Blue Point School District congratulates both Lessing and Phua on their extraordinary achievements and thanks them for being such exemplary and well-rounded representatives of their district and community.