WHS announces Class of 2026 Top 10

JOSEPH MULLAN  
Class of 2026 Valedictorian 

Joseph Mullan is the son of Cindy and Brian Mullan, and older brother of Cassidy Mullan. He will be graduating valedictorian of the class of 2026, and would like to thank God, his parents, family, teachers, and the entire staff in the Washingtonville School District for  supporting his journey.

Joseph enjoys taking challenging courses like AP Calculus BC with Mr. Brown, APES with Mr. Williams, and Physical Education with Malvey. He also enjoys exploring areas like foreign language and would like to shout out Mrs. Matias for teaching him three years of Spanish, up to Spanish 5. He would also like to thank Mrs. Bierling Powers and Mrs. Giordani, who teach economics and business respectively, and who have inspired him to pursue a career in these fields.
 
Joseph serves as the treasurer of the National Honor Society and the Math Honor Society and was also inducted into the World Language Honor Society, National English Honor Society and the National Science Honor Society. He is also a leader in the Recycling Club  at WHS, a member of the High School’s new spikeball club, and a member of OCAL this  year.

Throughout high school, Joseph has earned eight Certificates of Recognition, the Sojourner Truth Award for Outstanding Accomplishments in the area of Mathematics, and the St Michael’s Book Award for Community Engagement.  

Joseph has also excelled on Washingtonville’s Varsity Cross Country and Track teams as well, and serves as a captain on both teams. His work ethic and dedication are reflected by  his positions on the top 10 on Washingtonville’s all time results, his podium spot on the New York State Cross Country Championships, three time Most Valuable Runner Award, and OCIAA Scholar Athlete of the Year Award. Joseph thanks his whole team and coaching staff including Coach White for supporting his athletic career at Washingtonville.  

Outside of school, Joseph has enjoyed his time spent volunteering as a buddy for Beautiful People Adaptive Sports, and as a camp counselor at the Wizards Summer Track Camp for young athletes. Joseph also enjoys eating healthy and working out, inspired by one of the most impactful teachers in the school, Mr. Lepere. This fall, Joseph will be attending the University of Notre Dame and will be majoring in finance. 

CAROLINE KORBA  
Class of 2026 Salutatorian 

Caroline Quinn Korba is the eldest daughter of Christopher and Corene Korba, and the older sister of Lillian Korba. Before anything, she’d like to express her sincere gratitude for everyone in her life who has shaped her and helped her become the daughter, sister, cousin, niece, granddaughter, friend, student, athlete and person she is today.  

From Round Hill Elementary to Washingtonville High School, Caroline is so grateful to have made such  meaningful connections with all the teachers, coaches and peers that he did. Her academic career has been  one driven by curiosity and replete with intellectual challenge, having engaged herself with a variety of  rigorous courses including AP Calculus BC and college-level Spanish 4 and 5, U.S. History, Biology, Criminal  Justice, Statistics, Macroeconomics, Public Affairs, Writing and English. Caroline is also thrilled to have been  named a 2026 National Merit Scholarship Recipient.  

However, the opportunities she’s had outside of the classroom have been her most treasured. Caroline was  selected to attend the FBINAA Youth Leadership Program as a rising sophomore and then ALA Empire Girls  State as a rising senior. These programs, while distant from her hometown, only strengthened her love for her  community right in Washingtonville. Her work with the Moffat Library – particularly with Carol McCrossen, Jeremy Joseph and Joel Solonche – has given Caroline a home base from which to build even stronger  connections. She is Editor-in-Chief of local newspaper The Blooming Grove Post and founded her own  program, Junior Scientists Club, alongside Lila Sinacori.

After school, Caroline has participated in Special  Olympics, Best Buddies and Peer Tutoring. She’s led the Community Service Club for the past three years, is President of the National English Honor Society, secretary for the World Language Honor Society and a proud member of the National, Math and Science Honor Societies. Her internship with Judge Craig S. Brown, involvement with Mock Trial and victory in the 2026 County Championship have been privileges as well.  

A student-athlete for five years, Caroline is a varsity runner for Coaches White, Dubs, Boerke, Wilson, Quinn  and Mr. Mallard. While Caroline has run many races on the clock, truthfully, her best times are the memories and friendships she’s made along the way.
 
To be named the Washingtonville High School Class of 2026 Salutatorian is the utmost honor, and Caroline  shares this achievement with all those who made it possible. Thank you to her parents for their endless love  and support; thank you to her sister for being her built-in best friend; thank you to her family members, mentors, coaches and teachers (especially Ms. Frey, Ms. Bac, Ms. Matias, Mr. Sale, Mr. Bacher, Ms. Massari  and Mr. Powers) for believing in her; thank you to her friends for always coming through with a joke, advice or much-needed hangout; thank you to everyone who made her four years at WHS worth it.  

In the fall, Caroline will attend Fordham University at Rose Hill, having been awarded the prestigious full tuition Fordham Scholarship. She will pursue a Bachelor’s Degree, majoring in History and minoring in  Spanish on a Pre-Law Track. In her future, she hopes to further her education through law school and become  an attorney, giving a voice to those who otherwise don’t have one. Caroline wishes all the best to each of her  classmates in their future endeavors. Once a Wizard, always a Wizard! 

LILA SINACORI

Lila Sinacori is the daughter of Julie Hanus and Anthony Sinacori, and the older  sister of Ava Sinacori. She would like to thank her family and friends for all of their support throughout her high school career, as they have been a major factor in her  success. She would also like to thank all of her teachers and coaches for continuously motivating her and pushing her to do her best.  

As Washingtonville’s female Scholar Athlete, both academics and athletics have always been a major focus of Lila’s. She was the captain of the swim team, indoor track team, and outdoor track team. In both sports, she has competed in the New  York State Championships. In track, she has also competed in Nationals. She holds two school records in track for the 4x800m relay and the mixed 4x400m relay. Both of these sports taught her about discipline and positivity, therefore contributing to  her academic drive.

Lila has challenged herself academically in both AP and dual enrollment courses, such as AP Calculus BC, AP Physics, College Biology, College US  History, Spanish 4 & 5, College Statistics, SUPA Writing & English, SUPA Public  Affairs, Macroeconomics, and Science Research.

Lila has been involved in a variety of extracurricular activities throughout her time in Washingtonville. She is the president of her class, the president of the Science Honor Society, and a member of six honor societies in total. She has been the  student representative for the Board of Education for the past two years as well. She  also has participated in SSA, I-Decide, Special Olympics, and a variety of other clubs throughout her time in Washingtonville.

Outside of school, Lila created and  currently runs a children’s science club at the Moffat Library with her best friend. She has attended various leadership programs as well, such as Fearless, RYLA, and Girls State. She has also attended the NYSPHSAA Student-Athlete Leadership Conference. Lila has prioritized community involvement and leadership throughout her time in Washingtonville, founding her desire to serve her country.  

Lila will be attending the United States Military Academy at West Point, where she will be running Division 1 cross country and track. She hopes to major in biology, attend medical school, and later serve in the Medical Corps as a surgeon for the US Army. 

OWEN VINARUB  

Owen Vinarub is the son of Jordan and Deborah Vinarub, and the younger brother of  Jackson and Julia Vinarub, but strives for an individuality not defined by others.
 
As a student, Owen was always captivated by the STEM courses, focusing his schedule to  accommodate his enthusiasm with notable classes such as AP Chemistry, AP Calculus BC,  AP Physics, and Electronics. And yet, Owen’s liberal arts hardwiring allowed his success in classes such as SUPA Writing, SUPA Public Affairs, Spanish 5, and Advanced Clay. Although an excellent academic in the classroom, much of Owen’s learning is self driven; Owen’s curiosity and devotion spans the crafts of ceramics, mixed martial arts, electrical engineering, rocketry, 3D design, and bike building. His perpetual aspiration to obtain new skills led him to skateboarding, skiing, snowboarding, biking, climbing, skimboarding, extreme camping, and many more to come.  

Throughout his high school career, Owen stayed true to his community through means of  the Scouts of America, becoming an Eagle Scout in 2025 with a project that had accumulated well over 200+ service hours in total. Following this, he is a member of National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, National English Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, National World Language Honor Society, and the Math  Honor Society, providing service and time to each. Owen has led multiple groups in his years in I-Decide and will surely miss continuing the program, educating the youth about a topic he wholeheartedly believes in.  

Owen’s favorite parts about his time at WHS stems from personal relationships. From bowling in the Bowling club with his friend Lucas Robles, to snowboarding in the ski club with his group chat members at “Creek”, to having a collective homework session, Owen’s tight-knit friends were paramount to his success as a student. The few close relationships he has had with some faculty members not only built upon his infatuation with learning, they proved to be valuable, thought-provoking interactions that changed his perspectives or provided an outlet for changing others’ opinions.  

In the coming fall of 2026, Owen will be attending Hamilton College, where he will study physics, but take advantage of the open curriculum, to advance all of his polarized interests. In reflection of his time at WHS, Owen wants to thank those who have helped him grow as a character. 

ISABELLA MEYER  

Isabella Meyer is the daughter of John and Denise Meyer and the younger sister of James and Nick Meyer.
 
Throughout high school, Isabella challenged herself with a rigorous academic schedule, enrolling in  courses such as General Biology 1 and 2, U.S. History 1 and 2, Criminal Justice, SUPA Public  Affairs, Macroeconomics, SUPA English 181, SUPA Writing 103, AP Chemistry, AP Calculus BC, and College Spanish 4 and 5. In her junior year, she was honored with the R.I.T. Women in STEM  Award.  

Isabella has been actively involved in a variety of clubs and organizations that have shaped her  growth. She served as Secretary of the National Honor Society during her second year as a member and is a three-year member of the National Science Honor Society. She is also a two-year member  of the World Language, Mathematics, and National English Honor Societies. In addition, she is the  president of Adolescents Against Drug Abuse and a member of Wizards Against Cancer Club, Gems in STEM, Special Olympics, Ski and Snowboarding Club, and Spikeball Club. 

Outside of school, Isabella has shown strong dedication to her extracurricular activities. She was a two-year varsity volleyball player and a four-year club volleyball player. During her senior year, she participated in the Unified Basketball team, playing alongside the Aspire class. She has also taken piano lessons for the past 10 years, a commitment she has maintained throughout high school. Within her community, Isabella strives to stay actively involved. She has completed over 100 hours of volunteer work at Garnet Health Medical Center and has participated in various opportunities, including chaperoning Kids’ Night Out events and volunteering at the ReHeart Rescue Shelter. 

Isabella is deeply grateful for the support she has received from her parents, siblings, friends, and teachers, which has encouraged her to push beyond her comfort zone. She would like to thank all of  her teachers, especially Mr. Kaman, Mr. Brown, Mr. Cerar, Mrs. Matias, and Mrs. Connolly, for recognizing her potential and guiding her along the way. She also appreciates her friends for their constant encouragement and support. Most importantly, she thanks her family for their unwavering love, sacrifices, and trust in her ability to always strive for her best.  

After high school, Isabella plans to attend Florida State University, majoring in Chemistry with a minor in Neuroscience. She plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in anesthesiology. 

GIANNA PEREZ  

From the moment she entered Washingtonville High School, Gianna has lived by this quote from Nelson Mandela, “it always seems impossible until it’s done.” Through this ideology, Gianna has approached every opportunity with determination and a strong drive to challenge herself academically and personally. She strives to make the most of every experience and is grateful for the opportunities she has had to grow.  

A major part of Gianna’s journey has been her involvement in extracurricular activities, with her most dedicated being Masque & Mime as well as Step Club. Being a four-year member and captain of the Step team has allowed her to build teamwork and leadership. Masque & Mime has held a special place in her heart, and she is grateful to have grown in collaboration and leadership while performing on stage. In addition, Gianna participates in I-Decide where she works with elementary students to promote healthy decision-making and teach the dangers of drugs and alcohol. She has also been a part of Wizards Against Cancer and academic societies such as National Honor Society and the National Art, Science, and English Honor Societies.
 
Academically, Gianna has challenged herself by enrolling in accelerated and college level courses. She pushes herself to achieve strong grades while engaging with material on a  deeper level, like AP Chemistry and College English and History courses. Even when courses become demanding, she remains committed to doing her best. No matter how  impossible it seemed, she worked through it. A meaningful part of her experience has been her commitment to community service. She enjoys helping others and takes pride in contributing to causes to make a difference. Whether its mentoring younger students or contributing to fundraising initiatives, she values the opportunity to show empathy and kindness.
 
She would like to express her sincere thankfulness to her family and friends for their  continuous support and encouragement, and she would like to thank her teachers for pushing her to her full potential.

As she looks forward, Gianna will be continuing her education at Florida Atlantic University in Fall 2026 in their honors program for a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience. She hopes to combine her passion for science with her desire to help others in the medical field. Throughout her journey she has embraced challenges with persistence. Gianna is excited to see where this next chapter takes her. 

RILEY BUTLER  

Riley Butler is the daughter of Richard and Jeanine Butler and the older sister of RJ Butler. She is very appreciative of the assistance, inspiration, and support she has received from all  her family, friends, and teachers throughout her journey.  

Riley has always strived for academic success. Throughout high school, Riley has  challenged herself by taking enriched, AP, and college-level classes, including College U.S. History, College Biology 1 & 2, College Statistics, College Macroeconomics, AP Chemistry, Spanish 4, SUPA Public Affairs, and SUPA English. This rigorous course load has taught  her discipline, as well as pushed her to grow as a student. She has been an active member of many honor societies, including National Honor Society, English Honor Society, Math Honor Society, World Language Honor Society, and Science Honor Society. Her dedication to both academics and service is evident through her consistent involvement in school organizations and her commitment to contributing to her community.
 
Service has played a significant role in Riley’s high school experience, as she has completed over 200 community service hours, contributing her time to a variety of meaningful causes. She has volunteered as a tutor, at Washingtonville’s Country Kids Food Pantry, assisted  with literacy nights and STEM fairs, and supported the Class of 2026 fundraisers. She is also the co-secretary of the Community Service Club, where she has developed leadership and teamwork skills by helping to organize meetings, as well as generating ideas to  positively impact the local community.  

Riley’s interest in helping others has shaped many of the activities she participates in. Through her involvement in the I-Decide program, she has worked with elementary school  students to educate them on the harms of drugs and alcohol. This experience confirmed her desire to work in a field where she can make an impact in others’ lives. She is also a member of Gems in STEM, a club that encourages young women to explore opportunities. This has further strengthened her interest in pursuing a career in health care.  

In the fall, Riley will attend Monmouth University, where she will major in nursing. She looks forward to building a career centered around compassion, care, and making a meaningful difference in many lives.

LUCAS ROBLES  

Lucas Robles is the son of Karina Montas-Robles and Ruben Robles, and the  younger brother of Samuel Robles.

Lucas has always been a quick learner of concepts, with the intention of mastering any subject that interests him. Throughout his high school career, he has taken many intensive courses,  including AP Physics, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, and SUPA English.  

Lucas has also spent a plentiful sum of hours doing extracurricular activities as well. He has spent all four years of high school doing clubs such as the  Community Service Club, Peer Tutoring, Bowling Club, and the Math Team, where he was selected to be the Washingtonville C Team Leader in the team. Along with that, he joined the Science Honor Society as a sophomore, then  went on to join the Math Honor Society, the World Language Honor Society, and the National Honor Society. He was awarded the Sojourner Award for French in his sophomore year, and his dedication to his studies earned him a Business Leadership scholarship  from Rochester Institute of Technology. Over the summer of his sophomore year, he did a pre-college program at Fordham University, doing a pre-law intensive, earning him a certificate. In his junior year, he started doing Mock Trial and saw significant improvement by his senior year, allowing him to become a Mock Trial Regionals Finalist.  

Lucas would like to thank all his friends, his family, and his dog, who have all been positive sources of support over the past 17 years. Lucas would like to especially thank all the teachers he has had over the years; each and every teacher has helped Lucas grow into someone he is proud to be. Lucas is a very stress-free, happy person. He is so excited to travel and see what the world has to offer. He knows he has a lot to look forward to moving  on to this new chapter of his life.

In the fall, Lucas will be attending Rochester Institute of Technology to study Business Administration. 

MEGAN BUSHEY  

Megan Bushey is the daughter of Michael and Noell Bushey and the younger sister of Raymond Bushey.

Throughout her time at WHS, Megan has consistently pushed  herself to excel, approaching every challenge with 100% effort. She views learning not just as a test of memorization, but seeks true comprehension of material. Megan would like to thank her parents for their endless support, advice, and encouragement; she hopes to grow to possess her mother’s compassionate spirit and  her father’s natural ability to connect with others.  

While at WHS, Megan has tackled a rigorous academic schedule, including AP Chemistry, College Spanish, College Biology, and College Statistics. She has  practiced the art of balancing academics with extracurriculars as an active member  of the National Science, Math, Tri-M Music, and World Language Honor Societies. Furthermore, Megan serves as the Service Chair of the National Honor Society. As a  dedicated STEM student, she is also the Vice President of Gems in STEM—a club  that empowers young women interested in math and sciences—and participates in  both Wizards Against Cancer and Morgan’s Message.  

Outside the classroom, Megan plays varsity softball for the Wizards and will always  cherish the lifelong friendships and memories made on the field. Her greatest  passion, however, she found in competitive Irish dancing. Whether at practice or  competing locally, regionally or nationally, Megan treasures sharing the stage with  her best friends, Saoirse and Emily. She is incredibly thankful for all her friends and  wishes they could all join her on her next adventure.  

Next year Megan plans on attending the University of Tennessee and majoring in biology. She aspires to pursue a career in ophthalmology. Megan extends her  gratitude to the teachers who encouraged her curiosity, showed her kindness, and helped her succeed. She is especially grateful for her dance teacher, who provided her with countless opportunities while demonstrating the power of strength,  generosity, and resilience.

As she moves forward, Megan offers one piece of advice: “Life moves pretty fast; if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it” (Ferris Bueller). Congratulations to the Class of 2026, and best of luck in all your future endeavors! 

SOPHIA ZUPANCIC  

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not” (Dr. Seuss).
 
Sophia Zupancic was born on January 10, 2008. As the eldest daughter to Michelle and Anthony Zupancic and sister to Penelope Zupancic, Sophia attributes her success to her family's unwavering support.  

Throughout her time at Washingtonville Sophia has challenged herself with over 9 college/AP classes including College U.S. History, SUPA Science Research, AP  Physics, AP Calculus BC, College Biology 1 and 2, SUPA English, SUPA Writing, SUPA Public Affairs, and College Macroeconomics. Her dedication to academics has led her to receive academic awards in Math, Science as well as the Clarkson High School Leadership Award.  

On top of her course load Sophia made an effort to involve herself in clubs and community service. With roles such as Vice President of National Honor Society, Secretary of Science National Honor Society, President of Special Olympics, President of Morgan’s Message, and Blooming Grove youth lacrosse coach, Sophia takes pride in her contributions to her community.
 
As a student-athlete, Sophia has tremendous passion for her sport. Sophia is a 5 year Varsity starter on the Washingtonville Girl’s Lacrosse team as well as a three year captain. She always did her best to lead her team with a strong, positive example, and help to foster an inclusive environment for all those who love the sport. She is  grateful for the friendships she has made through lacrosse and will always cherish the memories and connections she has made with her teammates and coaches.
 
Sophia has had the privilege of meeting many people whose words, lessons, and actions will stay with her as she takes these next steps. She would specifically like to  thank Mr. Cerar, Mrs. Frey, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Bacher and Trainer John, for doing  just that. As Sophia leaves Washingtonville High School she hopes that she may leave it better than she found it, and that her words and actions may positively impact someone in the same way that she has been impacted.