May 29, 2026- High School East honored groups of students Wednesday who have gone above and beyond in service to others, as well as those who excelled at the SATs.

Students who completed at least 40 hours of community service received the "Spirit of the Raider" award, and seniors who logged 160 hours or more were honored with a Community Service Cord to wear at graduation.

"At High School East, we take great pride in giving back to the community that has given so much to us," said Principal Erin Anders. "Community service is about more than just helping others, it’s about growth. Volunteering teaches empathy, builds resilience, and strengthens perseverance. It opens your eyes to new perspectives and helps you appreciate the blessings in your own life."

Anders noted that High School East completed 16,317 hours of community service this school year alone. The Class of 2026 have completed 17,134 hours over the past four years.

Also recognized during the ceremony were students who made the SAT Honor Roll. Thirty-six students achieved a score of 1200 or higher.

"It goes without saying that the distinguished honor of reaching this mark is due to hard work and dedication to one’s academics," said Anders.

Valedictorian Noah Eichert scored perfect on the math portion of the SATs, while Isabella Merlino logged the highest number of community service hours with 487. Photos below are courtesy of Allison Goodwin.