The Top Two in North Babylon’s Class of 2026

North Babylon School District proudly recognizes Class of 2026 valedictorian Teyla Lopez and salutatorian Samantha Giraldo for their exceptional academic achievements, leadership and involvement in a wide range of extracurricular activities.

Lopez as a dedicated student-athlete and scholar. A three-year member and team captain of the cross-country team, she has earned All-Sectional honors for outstanding performance. In track and field, Lopez serves as the senior captain and has achieved All-League recognition in the 3000-meter event.

Beyond athletics, Lopez is an active member of several academic honor societies, including the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National Language Honor Society and National Science Honor Society. Through these organizations, she has contributed to community service efforts such as local races, clean-ups and school events, while also participating in peer tutoring and academic enrichment. Her commitment to academic excellence was further recognized with the AP Scholar with Distinction Award. Lopez has committed to University at Buffalo for nutrition science.

Giraldo has also demonstrated a strong commitment to both academics and extracurricular involvement. Serving as vice president of the National Art Honor Society, she has contributed nearly 25 hours of community service, including creating holiday cards for seniors and supporting school events. In addition, Giraldo is an active member of the National Honor Society, participating in community-focused events such as fundraisers and outreach programs that promote engagement and service.

A dedicated athlete, Giraldo has been a member of the girls varsity cross-country and track and field teams since freshman year. Through these experiences, she has developed strong teamwork, time management and leadership skills while contributing to a supportive and competitive team environment. She is undecided between University at Buffalo or Pratt Institute for architecture.