Honor Vals & Sals at Shea

BY VICTOR G. MIMONI

Wednesday, August 27, 2008 7:02 PM EDT

Each year, The Queens Courier gives honorable mention to the top two scholars in the graduating classes of the borough’s high schools - the valedictorians and salutatorians.

Again this year, The Courier teamed up with the New York Mets to honor some of these superior students on the “field of dreams” in Shea Stadium.

Back in July, we asked our readers to vote for their favorite “Vals” and “Sals” on our award-winning web site, www.queenscourier.com, to decide which of these best and brightest would be honored before a game in August.

The winners were: Christopher Tromp, Holy Cross High School valedictorian, who received 1,335 votes; Kristi Vuksevic, William Cullen Bryant High School salutatorian with 1,187 votes; Alisha Martinez, the salutatorian of Renaissance Charter School, 1,057 votes, and Lauren Buchner, Benjamin N. Cardozo High School salutatorian, who got 983 votes.

Their moment in the (field) lights came on Thursday, July 21, just before the Mets played the Atlanta Braves.

The honorees and their families and friends gathered at the stadium, where they were met by a team official. As the accompanying group went to their complimentary seats in the loge, our Vals and Sals were escorted through the labyrinthian passageways beneath the seats and out onto the field.

Even the smartest kids just out of high school can be struck dumb by the sight of thousands in the grandstands, and for a while, so were they. All admitted to being “excited” and “nervous,” and never thought they’d be out on the field.

After recognition for these college-bound champs and The Courier, they rejoined their groups in the stands, where they watched an exciting Met win.

Congratulations to them, and to the Mets.

PHOTO BY MARC S. LEVINE/ COURTESY THE NEW YORK METS
Top vote-getters in The Queens Courier contest to honor the best and brightest of this year’s graduating class (from left,) salutatorians Kristi Vuksevic, Alisha Martinez and Lauren Buchner and valedictorian, Christopher Tromp weren’t the only winners on Thursday, August 21 at Shea Stadium. The Mets came from behind to beat the Atlanta Braves in the ninth inning.