Sun Valley Celebrates Top 10% of Class of 2026 with President's Education Awards

Sun Valley High School proudly honored the top 10% of the Class of 2026 during a special ceremony on Thursday, May 28, recognizing these outstanding students with the prestigious President's Education Award for Educational Excellence.

Held in the Sun Valley auditorium, the event opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Jack Abate, followed by a rendition of the National Anthem performed by the Chamber Choir. Principal Mr. John Paul Roskos welcomed families, faculty, and honorees before introducing guest speaker Gianna Ellis, a member of Sun Valley's Class of 2022, who shared words of encouragement and inspiration with this year's scholars.

The President's Education Awards Program, established in 1983, honors students for their academic achievement and commitment to excellence. Each honoree received a certificate and commemorative pin in recognition of their accomplishments.

The 22 recipients have distinguished themselves through their dedication in the classroom, involvement in extracurricular activities, and ambitious plans for the future. Together, they represent a diverse group of future leaders, innovators, educators, healthcare professionals, artists, engineers, and public servants. Among this year's honorees are Class of 2026 Valedictorian Braeden DiGiovanni and Salutatorian Emily Weissenburger.

Following the ceremony, students, families, and staff gathered for light refreshments as the Sun Valley community celebrated this significant achievement.

Meet the Honorees

Congratulations to the following recipients of the 2026 President's Education Award for Educational Excellence:

Samantha Baron will be attending the University of Pittsburgh where she will major in Biochemistry and plans to pursue a career at a hospital or university as a Biomedical Researcher. She is a member of the National and core Honor Societies and an AP Scholar. Samantha was named captain, All-Delco Honorable Mention and 2nd Team All-Delco for basketball and was a 2-year Varsity Captain for soccer. The University of Pittsburgh recognized Samantha with a University Scholarship. 

Andrew Bernstein will continue his academic studies at the University of Pittsburgh to focus on Business. He has an interest in working at a major firm or corporate entity with his goal of working on the business side of an NFL team. He is a member of the National, English and Math Honor Societies and has maintained distinguished honor roll while working part-time at Dairy Queen. He received a University Scholarship from Pitt as well as guaranteed admission to the MBA or MS program in the business school.

McKenzie Burgos will further her education at Messiah University majoring in Musical Theatre. Her career goal is to be cast in a profes-sional production and possibly work in theater in a technical capacity. She has maintained distinguished honor roll while being involved in the theater program, chamber choir and National Honor Society, playing Varsity Lacrosse, and holding officer roles in the English, Science, Spanish and Choir Honor Societies. McKenzie was awarded multiple scholarships from Messiah University. 

Leo Cianci will attend The Ohio State University focusing on Political Science with a goal of becoming a lawyer. He is a member of the Na-tional, English, Math, Science, Social Studies and Spanish Honor Socie-ties. Leo’s activities include being a member of the Tennis, Cross Country and Track and Field Teams as well as Student Senate. Leo was named 2025 Tennis Rookie of the Year. 

Ysabelle DeGuzman will be attending Kutztown University where she will major in Communications Design where she wille arn her de-gree and become a UIUX Designer or freelancer. She consistently re-ceives Distinguished Honor Roll and is a member of the National Honor Society and Marching Band. Ysabelle has been recognized for her academic achievements with a Presidential Scholarship from Kutztown University. 

Braeden DiGiovanni will be studying Chemical Engineering at Northwestern University. He would like to work to improve processes behind the creation of medicine and make them more effective and efficient with an ultimate goal of earning his doctorate in Chemistry. He is a member of the National, English, Science, Tri-M and Social Studies Honor Societies and has held cabinet roles in the Art, Spanish and Math Honor Societies. Braeden is a member of the Jazz and Con-cert Bands and flute section leader in the Marching Band. In his spare time, Braeden is co-captain of the Vex V5 Robotics, Science Olympiad and Hi-Q teams and participates on the Reading Olympics Team and Kindness Initiative. Braeden achieved four years of Distinguished Honor Roll, is an AP Scholar with Distinction, a National QuestBridge Scholar Match and the Class of 2026 Valedictorian. 

Amos Fayehun will study at Brigham Young University majoring in Computer Science with an emphasis in animation and game design. His ultimate dream is to become the lead director and writer of his own animation and game design studio. His accomplishments include being section leader in the Marching Band, winning the Greater Philadelphia Cappies Award for Creativity, starting the Sun Valley Badminton Club, and participating in theater, concert band, concert choir and National Honor Society. Amos is a National Merit Commended Scholar, an AP Scholar with Honor and was has been published with the American Library of Poetry. Amos received a University Scholarship from Brigham Young. 

Lucas Habich will be continuing his education at Salisbury University majoring in Business Administration. He plans to own and grow his family’s home services business. He is a member of the National, Math, English and Social Studies Honor Societies Lucas competed on the swim team where he was captain his senior year and had accolades that include three time MVP and four time district medalist.. He at-tended Delaware County Technical School where he was top of his program class and earned the Education Association Award presented by the DCIU. Lucas is the proud recipient of a Presidential Scholarship from Salisbury University. 

Dakotah Hermann will attend Bucknell University majoring in Cell Biology/Biochemistry. He aspires to become a doctor of osteopathic medicine. He is a member of the National, English, Math, Spanish, Social Studies and Tri-M Honor Societies and President of the Science Honor Society. He is a Homeroom Representative, participates in Sun Valley Theater and was a member of the District and Regional Honors Choir. 

Cindy Hsu will continue her education at Kutztown University. She will be studying Art Education to earn her degree and become a teach-er and share her love of art with the younger generations. Cindy has been a recipient of Honor Roll or Distinguished Honor Roll consist-ently during her academic career. 

Max Kimball will be majoring in Aerospace Engineering at The Uni-versity of Miami. In his future, he aspires to specialize as an aerody-namicist for a professional motorsports team. He is the Treasurer of the Cultural Alliance Club, Cabinet Member of National Honor Society and Recruitment Committee Head for Mini-thon. Max is a College Board National Student Recognition Program recipient and has been named an AP Scholar with Honor. The University of Miami has awarded Max a Presidential Scholarship. 

Jackson Loftus will study at the University of Pittsburgh with plans to earn a degree in Finance. He aspires to join the International Banking or Finance Industry, buy his parents a house on the beach and travel the world. Jackson’s activities include: Captain of the Boys Basketball Team and member of National, Science and Math Honor Societies. Jackson was named a member of the ChesMont All-Academic Team and an AP Scholar. 

Robert Neuman will attend George Washington University to study Political Science: Public Policy Focus. He would like to get a job in a congressional office on Capitol Hill and possibly run for political office one day. He is a proud Eagle Scout, member of National Honor Society and PA-05 Congressional Youth Cabinet. George Washington Univer-sity has awarded Robert with a Presidential Academic Scholarship. 

Victor Nguyen-Hernandez will be attending Temple University where he will study Forensic Chemistry. He hopes to work at the state level or a private firm as a Forensic Toxicologist applying his knowledge to in-vestigations. He is a member of the National, Science, Spanish and Tri-M Honor Societies, section leader in the Marching Band for the past two years and participates in the Jazz Band. Victor was named All-State on Tuba and is the proud recipient of Temple University’s Provost Scholarship. 

Ethan Oreski will be attending Bucknell University studying Electrical Engineering. He is a member of National, Spanish, Science and Tri-M Honor Societies. He participates in Robotics, Science Olympiad and Jazz Band and holds leadership roles in Hi-Q as Captain, and Marching Band as Trumpet Section Leader. For his academic achievement, Ethan is the recipient of a Dean’s Scholarship from Bucknell University.

Luke Oreski is enrolled at Bucknell University to study Cell Biology/Biochemistry with plans to investigate the structures of known viruses, diseases and chemical weapons aiming to discover ways to prevent the harm of other life forms. He is a member of National, Science, Spanish and Tri-M Honor Societies and participated on the Sun Valley’s Hi-Q and Science Olympiad Teams and played in the Marching and Jazz Bands. 

Mandy Ou will be studying Human Resource Management at the University of Pittsburgh. She plans to work at a renowned business to create a safe workspace and supportive environment, helping other succeed and feel valued. Mandy is Vice-President of the Spanish Honor Society and a member of the National, English, Social Studies, Science and Tri-M Honor Societies. Mandy has been involved in activities that include Chamber Choir, Homeroom Representative and Vie-President of the Cultural Alliance Club. 

Alison Riley will be studying Health Policy and Administration at Pennsylvania State University in State College. She plans to obtain her master’s degree and pursue a leadership role in a hospital or healthcare organization. She has consistently maintained distinguished honor roll status and is a member of the National and core Honor Societies. She was a two-time captain of the SV soccer team and earned All-Delco Honorable Mention and All Ches-Mont Second Team for her talents. 

Ana Sofia Robb will attend West Chester University majoring in Early Childhood Education. She plans to pursue a career as an Elementary School Teacher. She is a member of the National, English, Science, Math and Spanish Honor Societies, Reading Olympics, Science Olympi-ad and Marching Band where she was named Drum Major her senior year. She took advantage of dual enrollment classes the past two years, volunteers at her church facilitating Sunday School and has travelled in-ternationally volunteering to spread the gospel. Sophie is a Golden Rams Grant recipient. 

Vivian Sok is enrolled at Widener University in the Nursing program. She aspires to become a labor and delivery nurse while exploring other specialties like pediatrics and the NICU. She is a member of the Nation-al, Science and Spanish Honor Societies as well as bring the manager of the Cultural Alliance Club and Social Media Manager of FCCLA Club. Vivian was awarded both a Presidential and Future Nurse scholarship from Widener University. 

Reyka Sy plans to major in Actuary Science at Pennsylvania State in University Park. Her plans include working as a Actuary in Insurance while continuing to work as a freelance artist, balancing her passions of art and mathematics. She is a member of the National, Math, English, Science, Social Studies and Tri-M Honor Societies. Reyka is involved in the Sun Valley Theater and Choir and is an AP scholar. 

Emily Weissenburger will attend the University of Pennsylvania to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She intends to pursue her nurse practitioner license, earn her DNP and work in an emergency de-partment. She is a cabinet member of National Honor Society, Presi-dent of English Honor Society, Treasurer of Science Honor Society, participates in choir and theater, and helped plan the SV Inaugural Mini-Thon. Her achievements include: Challenger and Leadership Awards for swimming, three-time blue ribbon Reading Olympian and Class of 2026 Salutatorian.