Before Principal Steven Siciliano announced any awards on Senior Recognition Night, on June 2, he recognized the recipients of the top honors for the Class of 2025. Congratulations to Valedictorian Dakota Cameron and Salutatorian Kate Stevens!
Their names would be called out several that evening, as the stand-out students are academically amazing, and more. While both students were awarded the 2025 Scholarship for Academic Excellence from the New York State Education Department, Dakota also received the Jay Award for six semesters of varsity field hockey and track and field; Kate received the Ian Doyle Baren Scholarship for her commitment to community service.
Dr. Siciliano described Dakota as an “active academic”—a student who seeks understanding across disciplines, never tires of learning, and puts her knowledge to good use by engaging in initiatives to help improve the community.
“What sets her apart even more is her humility, compassion, and unwavering moral compass,” said Dr. Siciliano.
Dakota’s deep concern for the environment and love of science led her to her Science Research focus on using recycled plastic from the fast fashion industry to enhance concrete and reduce environmental impact. Her project led to an invitation from the Westchester County Legislature to present her findings to community stakeholders in 25 Westchester municipalities and earned her a 2025 EcoAward.
She worked in a lab at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and presented her work at Westchester Science and Engineering Fair (WESEF). She won the IBM Visionary Engineer Award as a junior and placed 3rd in Environmental Science as a senior, in addition to being a 2025 Genius Olympiad finalist.
In addition to science, Dakota is deeply committed to creative writing. She has been part of the Writopia Creative Portfolio Program since 8th grade, earning three Silver Keys and eight Honorable Mentions from the Hudson Valley Scholastic Awards. She also serves as Vice President of Writopia’s nationwide Enviroactivism Club, where she contributes to environmental campaigns, blog writing, and clean-up events.
Dakota has also participated in field hockey and track and field throughout high school, also volunteering in youth sports.
As a four-year elected member of Campus Congress, she works on curriculum and sustainability initiatives to enhance student life. She also co-leads the French Club, and most recently, interned at Bedford 2030, furthering sustainability efforts throughout Westchester County.
Dakota will be attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the fall.
Kate is described by her teachers and counselors as strong, disciplined, and fiercely committed to all that she does.
“She is a student that stands out for her brilliance and accomplishments in math and science as well as her passion for learning,” said Dr. Siciliano. “She leads by example and has been a role model for peers as they naturally gravitate to her.”
Kate is a team captain of a competitive dance team where her styles include tap, ballet and jazz. She also contributed to the John Jay community through two years on Campus Congress and through Reach out John Jay, Red Cross, Best Buddies and Relay for Life.
She finds much joy in helping others, particularly as it relates to healthcare and medicine. She is an active member in the Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Program and is a Junior Volunteer at Northern Westchester Hospital.
Kate will be attending the University of Virginia in the fall and is looking forward to pursuing a career in medicine.