by: Janice Godshalk
Almost every year in practically every school in America, students get assessed to see where they are compared to their peers in the academic stance. The top two students are typically honored and celebrated throughout the graduation season. The top student in the grade is called a valedictorian and the second spot is called the salutatorian.
At the conclusion of the 3rd marking period of this year, Eric Sampson, guidance counselor, and his administrative team looked at the top six students of the class of 2026 for the highest weighted cumulative average. All six had an average of over 106.
Sampson said, “These students have sacrificed a large amount of time and effort over the past four years to achieve this remarkable honor. The staff here at PAHS are very Green Knight proud of them for all of their efforts and look forward to hearing about their future accomplishments.”
The salutatorian of the Class of 2026 is Nicholas Haros, class president. His weighted average is 107.058. Which is only a 0.023 difference from the Valedictorian.
Haros expressed that being the salutatorian means a lot to him because of how hard he worked for the title. His current plans are to attend the University of Notre Dame to major in electrical engineering.
For Haros’s speech as class president, he aims to bring up the friends, family, and teachers who helped him in high school. He also intends to tell his peers to be consistent and all that a person can do is try their best.
Photo Courtesy of Nicholas Haros
Nicholas Haros, Class of 2026 president, has been named this year's Salutatorian with a weighted GPA of 107.058.
He also said, “My favorite part of my student career has been on the baseball team due to the friendships, teamwork, and memories built over the years.”
Lincoln Kuster, senior, has been on the same baseball team as Haros since they were eight. He conveyed that he enjoys and looks forward to all of Haros’s rhetorical questions every day.
Kuster said, “I am extremely proud of Nick, he has worked so hard for everything, and he is one of the most humble and deserving kids I know.”
Cayden Vishnesky, senior, has also been on the same baseball team as Haros for around 10 years.
Vishnesky said, “Nick works his butt off day in and day out. He also has the ability to play a sport, so balancing academics and athletics is very challenging. He deserves to be the salutatorian. I am very proud of him.”
After graduation, after the speeches and the walking. The Class of 2026 will generally be considered adults, and more importantly, Pen Argyl alum. Haros will no doubt continue to make Pen Argyl proud.