Mineola High School’s valedictorian and salutatorian plan on walking in their parents footsteps after graduation.
Anisha Shah, valedictorian, said she plans on being a pre-dental student next year at Hunter College as part of the Macaulay Honors program.
Shah’s mother is a dentist.
Anmol Patel, salutatorian, is entering a six-year doctorate of physical therapy program at Northeastern University when she leaves the halls of Mineola this months – a career shared by her father.
“He’s actually been trying to make me not do physical therapy, but I liked it too much,” Patel said. “I got some experience las summer … and I just saw myself doing it.”
Although the girls have their eyes set on next year and beyond, they said they look back fondly on their years in Mineola.
Shah is an Albertson resident who’s lived there since she was three-years-old.
Shah said she’s looking forward to moving to the city next year for school, but will miss Mineola.
“It’s a good feeling because you’re moving on with your life and can do so many good things,” Shah said. “But it’s sad because we created so many memories here.”
In addition to her classes, Shah was a member of the Key Club, National Honors Society, Science National Honors Society and the string ensemble.
Patel, also an Albertson resident, was the president of the Student Service Center.
The organization gets kids involved to volunteer at soup kitchens and the Ronald McDonald house, Patel said.
“It’s really nice to give back to the community,” Patel said.
Patel shared similar sentiments as Shah, noting that while she’s looking forward to her future she’ll miss her time at Mineola.
“It’s so bittersweet, I’m excited to move on and take this new step in my life, but Mineola is such a close-knit community and it’s hard to leave because you get so close with all your teachers and friends,” Patel said. “But we left our mark where it needed to be.”
Principal Whittney Smith said Shah and Patel are “two of the most wonderful young ladies” in the high school.
“They’re role models,” Smith said. “Not only intelligent, but giving of themselves, helpful, kind and humble.”
