The Public Schools of the Tarrytowns Celebrate the Class of 2022 Valedictorian and Salutatorian

The district is proud to announce that Ryan Lyppens and Charis Polycarpou have earned the ranking of valedictorian and salutatorian for the Class of 2022. Ryan and Charis have each achieved incredible academic success while also pursuing a variety of extracurricular activities. Notably, Ryan has been enrolled in the district since kindergarten and Charis entered in first grade. 

Ryan will be attending Cornell University this fall and plans to study biomedical engineering and business. His interest in these fields began in his Challenge Classes at Washington Irving and grew following a project he led in his science research class at SHHS at the height of the pandemic in which he worked with students from several countries. Reflecting on the experience, Ryan says that while he observed cultural differences among the team, “There was also a real connection and we could relate on a lot of things.”

Ryan also ran indoor track throughout his time at SHHS and now holds the school record for the 600 meter dash. He plays piano and trumpet in the high school band and volunteers for the Irvington Presbyterian Church’s Midnight Run program which provides food to those in need. Ryan attributes his drive, in part, to a saying from his seventh grade soccer coach - “Life is like a tube of toothpaste; you can always squeeze out a little more.” He continues to play club soccer today. 

Charis has been accepted into the creative writing program at Stonybrook University.  She is already writing her first novel, a fantasy, and enjoys poetry. Her passion for writing was also cultivated during the pandemic when her father held a ‘mini writing camp’ for her and her siblings. She also brings her writing skills to her position as co-editor of Hoof Prints, the SHHS newspaper.  

Charis, who participated in the dual-language program from first through fourth grade, earned the prestigious seal of biliteracy in Spanish. She says some of her fondest memories in the district are of the dual-language picnics when she was younger and “how the community came together.” Charis is a dancer with the Rivertown Dance Academy where she also serves as a dance mentor for young children.

Ryan and Charis both praise the district faculty and staff for their kindness and support of students. “If a student puts in the work, teachers will go the extra mile to help in any way they can,” says Ryan. “Everyone really came together to support us during the pandemic,” added Charis.

“On behalf of the entire district, I would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Ryan and Charis for their incredible achievements,” said SHHS Principal Brand. “We’ve been lucky to have them as members of our school community, and we wish them the best in college and beyond.”