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HIGHLAND, N.Y. — Highland High School has named Sahar Mokal valedictorian and Elaine Shebey salutatorian of the class of 2025.
Valedictorian Mokal, the daughter of Sultaan Mokal and Javeria Sultaan, served as president of the National Honor Society and Peer Leadership, co-president of Science Olympiad, vice president of Model UN and secretary of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. She is also a member of the National Art Honor Society, French Honor Society, Mathletes, FED Challenge, World Languages Club, Multicultural Club, Interact Club, and Environmental Club. She also served as a Highland High peer tutor, helping students improve their skills in algebra and geometry.
Outside of school, Mokal volunteers for the non-profit All for One-United We Stand, which advocates for human rights and the Dutches Outreach Food Pantry. She previously served as a visiting tutor at SOS Children’s Village Lahore orphanage in northeastern Pakistan.
Mokal is considering a few colleges, including the SUNY Binghamton College of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Yale, or the University of Rochester. She plans to major in physics or chemistry with a minor in English.
Salutatorian Shebey, the daughter of John and Carolyn Shebey, serves as treasurer of the Spanish Honor Society and is a member of the National Honor Society, Science Olympiad, Interact Club and Mathletes. She also competed on the spring Track and Field Team during her freshman and sophomore years.
Outside of school, Shebey plays the piano and volunteers at the Reformed Church of New Paltz. She is an avid hiker who has completed several hiking challenges in her free time, including the Catskills 3500 Challenge and the Catskills Winter 3500 Challenge.
Shebey is currently deciding between North Carolina State University of Maryland, where she plans to study aerospace engineering with a goal of working in the space industry and possibly contributing to satellite development.
Editor’s note: This story was updated to correct the spelling of Elaine Shebey’s last name.
