Connetquot High School has named Declan Doran as valedictorian and Madison Holzmacher as salutatorian of the Class of 2026, recognizing the two students for their outstanding academic achievement and exemplary contributions to their school and community.

Declan, who served as vice president of the Class of 2026, holds the second highest GPA in the school’s history. He has earned recognition as an AP Scholar with Distinction, has received the College Board National Recognition Program Award, has been named a National Merit Scholarship Commended student and has been awarded the New York State Seal of Biliteracy. He was a winner of the National Toshiba ExploraVision Science Competition and a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society and Science National Honor Society during his time at Connetquot High School. He was also active in Science Olympiad, Robotics and Engineering Club.

A standout athlete, Declan captained both his school and club swim teams, setting three school records in the sport. He qualified for All-League, All-County, All-Long Island and All-State honors five times and received All-American consideration. He was also named a News 12 Scholar Athlete.

Outside the classroom, Declan logged more than 300 hours of community service. He is a Red Cross certified ocean lifeguard and an Eagle Scout, which is among the highest achievements attainable in the Boy Scouts of America.

Madison Holzmacher, named salutatorian, served as president of the Model United Nations Club and as Building Event Manager for Science Olympiad. She is an AP Scholar with Distinction, received the College Board First-Generation Recognition Award and earned the New York State Seal of Biliteracy. 

Madison is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, World Language Honor Society and Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society. She captained the school’s tennis team, earning All-Division honors, and also competed on the badminton team. A musician and performer, she was a member of Connetquot’s chamber singers, symphony orchestra and chamber orchestra, was selected to the NYSCAME Treble Choir and was part of the school’s stage crew.

Madison also dedicated more than 350 hours of community service at the Connetquot Public Library and served as a peer tutor. She is also a member of Girl Scouts.

In the fall, Declan plans to attend Hamilton College where he will major in physics and Madison plans to attend Duke University, majoring in biomedical engineering. The Connetquot Central School District is proud of Declan and Madison for their hard work and achievements throughout their high school careers and looks forward to seeing all they accomplish in the years ahead!