West Babylon Names Class of 2014 Valedictorian, Salutatorian

West Babylon Senior High School seniors Nicole Cutrone and Julie Barrett have been named valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, of the Class of 2014. Each is an exceptional student whose academic achievement is equaled by her athletic, co-curricular and philanthropic pursuits.

With a 109 grade point average, Nicole maintains that her personality is partly behind her academic success. “With my personality, I was never able to slack off. It mattered that I did the work,” she said. “It is really nice to know that all my hard work has been validated.”

Nicole is a National Advanced Placement Scholar and a Board of Regents Scholarship recipient. As a member of the Science Olympiad team, she placed in three regional competition events and acquired fourth and fifth place at the New York State competition. The Town of Babylon recently granted Nicole an Historical Society scholarship for top scores in history. 

Nicole is a member of the Leaders Club, where she organizes and participates in local fundraisers, and the Leo Club, which focuses on community service and local charities. She is editor of the Yearbook Club and a member of the National Honor Society, as well as the Vincent Foley Foreign Language and math and science honor societies. 

Nicole has been a member of the field hockey team during all four years of high school and has received two varsity letters for her achievements on the field. She also volunteers at the library, where she teaches young children how to read, and tutors peers in math. Nicole will attend Fordham University, where she will pursue her studies in biology.

With a 108.5 grade point average, Julie received the rank of class salutatorian. Like Nicole, she explained that hard work is the key to being one of the top students. 

“There are students who are smarter, but did not take the time to do homework or to work hard,” Julie said. “Doing the work everyday is the key to success.”

Julie is an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction and the recipient of a Board of Regents scholarship. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the math and science and Vincent Foley Foreign Language honor societies. Julie was a gold medalist in the Russian Olympiada and secretary of the Science Olympiad team. 

Julie is an accomplished percussionist and a member of the jazz band and marching band, where she is section leader and drum captain. She recently received the West Babylon Music Parents Scholarship for her music achievements. Julie is a member of the cross-country team and has received six varsity letters and a sportsmanship award during her high school athletic career. 

Since fourth grade, Julie has been an active Girl Scout and regularly gives her time to the community as a church camp counselor and altar server, as well through honor society community service events. She will attend Binghamton University this fall.

Photo provided by West Babylon School District