Meet Nottingham's Class of 2026 Valedictorian & Salutatorian!
We are proud of all of our Class of 2026 graduates! Today, learn more about the Nottingham High School Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Stay tuned throughout the week to meet all of our Class of 2026 Valedictorians and Salutatorians.Nottingham Valedictorian Feature – Mina Alsafi
What activities have you been involved in outside of class/outside of school? I’ve worked with my brother to create short films on humanitarian crises in Sudan and Palestine, which have been shown at film festivals in New York City and internationally. I’ve also been a class rep at Le Moyne College’s Upward Bound Program; I’ve done Biophysics research at Syracuse University; participated in National Honor Society; participated in Inspiring Girls Expedition’s Girls on Rock program; served as a National Common App Advisory Council Member; participated in the NY Civil Liberties Union’s Teen Activist Program; and served as a science and math tutor.
What has been the best part of your high school career and why? The best part of my high school experience has been meeting people who come from different circumstances, who all attend an under-funded school district, but who all still have the motivation and drive to reach for their goals!
What was your proudest moment in high school? My proudest moment was getting a full ride to Princeton. It proved that my parents’ sacrifices coming to America weren’t in vain. Being at Princeton will give me the opportunity to give back to my parents eventually.
What are you most looking forward to about college? I’m most looking forward to being in an environment that can fully support my passions and interests. Princeton allows its students to create their own internships – so I can get paid to do something I’m passionate about. I’m excited to network and work in a collaborative environment and taking advantage of all the opportunities that will be before me.
What’s the best thing you’ve learned over the course of your time in the SCSD? Don’t overthink! Do what you want to do and don’t worry about what others think. If it makes you happy, that’s what’s important!
What advice would you give to other students as they continue their studies here? You’re more capable than you think you are. Don’t sell yourself short! Advocate for yourself, and better yourself by taking advantage of the opportunities presented to you.
What is something major you hope to achieve in life? My parents are from Sudan, where healthcare is not accessible and is not good. I hope to become a doctor and have the opportunity to give back to that community and that place that my parents are from. I’ve never been there, but I’d like to visit for the first time when it’s safe to do so. It’s part of me and I carry it with me.
Nottingham Salutatorian Feature – Layal Thabet
What are your plans after graduation (what college, what interest in terms of major)? I will be attending Syracuse University on a Pre-What activities have you been involved in outside of class/outside of school? Muslim Student Association Treasurer; LINK Crew Leader; National Honor Society; American Red Cross Blood Volunteer; Rahma Clinic Volunteer; MAS Volunteer; Yearbook Club; Le Moyne College Liberty Partnership Program Member; Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA); Community Service Project building book houses for SCSD middle schools.
What has been the best part of your high school career and why? The best part of my high school experience was joining clubs and meeting people I wouldn’t have otherwise talked to. Sometimes, you see someone and think you wouldn’t have much in common – but you end up connecting and becoming friends.
What was your proudest moment in high school? My proudest moment was becoming Salutatorian. It was unexpected and it reminded me of how hard I worked. It helped me realize that while people helped me along the way, this was all my doing and the work I did helped get me here.
What are you most looking forward to about college? I’m most looking forward to taking advantage of every opportunity college will offer! I can’t wait to have more opportunities and enjoy more experiences and take in all that college has to offer. I hope that my Pre-Med experience will allow me to advance in the clinic where I volunteer so I can actually be in the room with patients.
What’s the best thing you’ve learned over the course of your time in the SCSD? Advocate for yourself. Put yourself out there. The teacher here are here to help you… they want to help you! They will find things that will be of interest to you – but you have to take the initiative. Apply to everything you can, try things out, and see what’s of interest to you.
What advice would you give to other students as they continue their studies here? Take advantage of every opportunity. Try things to see if they’re a good fit for you. Don’t think anyone is better than you, an don’t think you’re better than anyone.
What is something major you hope to achieve in life? I want to create a life where I can support and raise a family, give back to my parents for their sacrifices, and work toward making the healthcare system more fair and accessible for communities. I see how unfair things can be to people in our community, and no matter where I end up, I want to come back to Syracuse and find a way to give back.
