Ellenville Senior High School recently announced its two top students for the Class of 2023. Shyama Patel has been named valedictorian and Antonella Silva is this year’s salutatorian. In addition to their academic prowess, these students also participated in a variety of extracurricular activities.

Patel, the daughter of Jigisha and Dipakkumar Patel of Ellenville, currently holds a weighted GPA of 99.8. She is the president of the National Honor Society, vice president of the Spanish National Honor Society, and vice president of her class. Patel also serves as vice president and co-founder of Students Against Violence In Our Schools, and participates in the Art Club. She has earned a place on the High Honor Roll every semester since her freshman year, has taken several Advanced Placement (AP) classes, and is graduating with an Advanced Regents Diploma.

Patel also played on the varsity tennis team, earning Athlete of the Month, and making it to Sectionals with her team. She volunteered as a Spanish tutor and helped staff the school concession stand during football and basketball games.

According to the school district, she credits several Ellenville educators for her success, as well as her family. “My mother has also been a great influence,” she added. “She always pushes me to be the best version of myself.”

Patel, who plans to pursue a career in computer science, is waiting to hear back from her top college choices.

“I am very proud of myself and the work ethic I put forward. This accomplishment demonstrates that I can do great things with hard work and perseverance.”

With a weighted GPA of 99.5, Antonella Silva is ranked second in her class. She is a member of the National Honor Society, and has maintained placement on the High Honor Roll throughout her academic career. In addition, Silva will graduate with an Advanced Regents Diploma.

Antonella, who is the daughter of Miguel and Ivon Silva of Ellenville, participates in Jazz Band as a tenor saxophonist, and has been in the school band for about eight years, playing the B flat clarinet. She has attended the New York State School Music Association festival and was selected for the Zone 9 area All State Band. This fall, she played on the varsity tennis team, and received the Scholar-Athlete award in recognition of her academic excellence during a sports season. Silva has also participated in the Environmental Club and Art Club, and was awarded Honorable Mention in the NAACP Black History Month Contest. In her spare time, she enjoys playing tennis, drawing, sewing, painting, and baking.

Silva also gave some praise for Ellenville teachers and her family, which she described as being a strong source of support. “My dad has always encouraged me with my studies,” she explained. “He has consistently expressed his pride in my academic achievements.”

In the fall, Silva will attend SUNY New Paltz, where she plans to focus on visual arts. She said she hopes to be a freelance artist to “be her own boss,” and to travel the world.

“I am very grateful for the people in my life who have always believed in my ability to succeed, which has kept me motivated,” said Silva. “The success I have experienced only makes me more excited about what’s to come.”

Rounding out the Top 10 for the Class of 2023 (in order of rank) are Nurzina Rahman, Landon Hembdt, Mya Espinosa, Max Dickman, Justin Coniker, Nathan Towne, Danne Escalante, and Joseph Smiles.