Second Honors Goes to Katherine Marinaccio

Glen Cove High School senior Katherine Marinaccio can now add salutatorian to her long list of accomplishments. With a 102 percent grade point average, the 17-year-old was recently named as the Class of 2010's second highest academic achiever.   

Marinaccio, a graduate of Deasy and Landing elementary schools, said learning about different topics in her classes was one of the highlights of high school. And although she had a packed schedule filled with advanced placement courses, she explained that she took an affinity to one class in particular. 

"Philosophy was fun," she said, adding that discussing a wide range of ideas and theories in that class was something that she enjoyed the most.

After discovering her interest in philosophy, it was no surprise when Patch learned that her favorite extra-curricular activity was Mock Trial. As a member of the team, she represented Big Red in dozens of competitions against other schools on Long Island.   

Marinaccio said she will continue her Mock Trial activities in the fall when she starts a new chapter of her life as a student at Wesleyan University in Connecticut.

"I applied to 15 schools," she explained. "Wesleyan seemed very diverse and had lots of political activity." 

As a college student, Marinaccio said she is looking forward to having a little more freedom and being able to take a wide assortment of classes each year while determining what career she would like to pursue. 

Until she heads to "The Constitution State," however, she is aiming to spend the summer working at a camp or community center to help pay for her college expenses.  

Her parting words for the younger students is to simply place academics as a top priority, because, she said, a high academic average can go a long way.  

"You don't think it matters, but if you work hard, you get to choose the classes you want senior year," she said as her advice to upcoming seniors. "Also, beware of senioritis, because it started in September for me."

Like this article? Read Patch's story about Glen Cove High School's valedictorian and honorarian. Don't forget to read Patch's graduation coverage next week as well.