Island Trees HS Salutatorian Profile: Ryan Goepfert

Submitted by Nicholas Grande, Principal at Island Trees High School.

Success is no stranger to the Salutatorian of Island Trees High School, Ryan Goepfert. Ryan scored a 1530 out of 1600 on the SATs. He is also enrolled in the most challenging course loads and has a GPA of 105.58.

Ryan has been described by teachers as a jack-of-all-trades. Although Ryan’s academics are top notch and his transcript can tell a story in itself, what truly stands out about Ryan is his involvement and desire to help. Ryan is an Eagle Scout, a tutor, a musician, a volunteer and an athlete. What Ryan seems to take the most pride in is his dedication to the Boy Scouts; he has been a member since Tiger Scouts in the first grade and has recently completed the necessary requirements to become an Eagle Scout.

 Ryan’s Eagle Scout project encouraged reading around the community. For one part, Ryan ran a story time event at one of the local town pools where he and others read to and played with young children over the summer, a time where many are not involved with reading. Recognizing the Island Tree’s Public library’s need for a new sign, Ryan helped to get a new one installed. He organized and participated in all the fundraising, including multiple car washes. He then helped to install and beautify the sign, in hopes that patrons in the community will better locate the library. What Ryan has learned from being a Boy Scout transfers to his everyday life as well.

 One place these qualities shine is on the Science Olympiad team. His coach has described working with Ryan as “a pleasure.” Ryan has certainly found success on the team, winning 5th place as a first year member in the 7th grade in the Trajectory competition, which he acknowledged as a very special moment. He also won second place as a high school student in the optics competition after putting a lot of time and effort into the event for two years. However, Ryan’s contribution to the team does not stop there. He also volunteers his own time to go to the middle school to help out the team. It is safe to say that without his assistance that team may not exist.

If there was one word to describe Ryan the most popular seems to be altruistic. He seems to truly care about others. Teachers have said that Ryan “wants everyone to feel the joy that he does in learning.” Ryan takes this desire and dedicates himself to being this kind and mature person that seems to radiate helpfulness around the halls of Island Trees High School. He was even awarded for this and his academic success with the St. Michael’s Award in his junior year.

Ryan recently decided to attend Stony Brook University where he will study Computer Science.  Ryan will certainly be successful in the future.