By Delaney Morrin – Staff Reporter

Jonathan Law senior Siya Patil has been named Valedictorian for the Jonathan Law Class of 2026.

Patil will be attending the University of Connecticut, majoring in Biological Sciences in the Honors Program and pursuing the Pre-Med track.

“When I found out I was Valedictorian, I had tears in my eyes,” Patil said. “It had been a goal of mine since freshman year, so knowing that all of my hard work and dedication paid off was an incredibly rewarding and emotional moment for me.”

Patil is a very involved member of the Law community. She has set an expectation for future students to be as determined and passionate as she is.

“Siya has been more than just an academic leader at Law,” Law Principal Mr. Darcy said. “She is someone who doesn’t see obstacles as insurmountable; she sees them as a challenge to conquer. She is the expectation that we have for all our students.” 

Patil has completed several achievements throughout her time at Law. She has taken 10 Advanced Placement (AP) classes, including AP United States History, AP United States Government and Politics, AP Chemistry, AP French Language and Culture, AP English Language and Composition, AP Human Geography, AP Biology, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Macroeconomics, and AP Psychology.

One of the teachers who has been most impactful on Patil has been science teacher Mr. KoorejianKoorejian has witnessed Patil grow since her freshman year in The Living Earth to her senior year in AP Biology.

“Siya is that student who is always ‘in control,'” Korrejian said. “She is not timid, but she understands the importance of listening to others. She is a hard worker, but also recognizes the value of being a good team player. Honestly, she makes the entire class more enjoyable and my job more rewarding.”

Patil is also active in various National Honor Societies. She is the Vice-President of Operations for the Science National Honor Society, Secretary for the National English Honor Society, and a member of the National Honor Society, National Math Honor Society, and the French Honor Society.

“I’ve always believed that working hard early creates opportunities for future success,” Patil said. “My motivation to excel academically came from wanting to build a strong foundation for college and beyond, while also proving to myself that dedication and persistence pay off.”

Patil has earned many academic award throughout her years at Law, including the Yale Book Award, AP Scholar with Distinction, Mayor’s Youth Award, Academic Excellence Awards in The Living Earth, French, AP Human Geography, AP Biology, AP Macroeconomics, and, finally, received a Silver Medal in forensics for the Science Olympiad, which she now serves as President of the Jonathan Law Science Club

Other than these remarkable academic achievements, Patil is also a captain of the Law girls tennis, playing a mix of singles and doubles throughout her career. The team’s coach, Mr. Kulenych, has had the pleasure of watching Patil balance both academics and athletics.

“Siya has done an incredible job balancing the demands of academics and athletics, all while maintaining a strong work ethic and pushing herself to improve every day,” Kulenych said. “Her encouragement, support, and ability to motivate her teammates have had a lasting impact on our team, helping create a culture built on confidence, accountability, and respect.”

Patil believes that attending Law has helped her prepare for the future socially, academically, and athletically. 

“High school has helped me build academic and social skills that I’ll carry with me into the future,” Patil said. “Through leadership roles, challenging myself academically, and learning how to stay organized and manage my priorities, I’ve grown both as a student and as a person. Law has also taught me the importance of surrounding myself with supportive and motivated people who push me to be my best.”