Grant Creedon is the salutatorian of the Locust Valley High School Class of 2026, boasting a weighted average of 108.73. His curious nature has helped him constantly find new classes and interests that have sent him down an exciting path to college and beyond.
Throughout his four years, Creedon’s love for math has only grown. Besides the fact that his brothers and parents work in the business world, Creedon found his interest in the economy from video games such as Fortnite and Minecraft which have their own trading systems.
Creedon said his favorite class was multi-variable calculus with Ms. Papas during his junior year. There, Creedon started off his days with a class that played to his interests and did not have a final examination, a fact that made him feel like he could focus on digesting the material at his own pace.
“It felt like the class was able to focus on higher level stuff rather than teaching for a test or a final,” Creedon said. “We just learned to learn. It gave a lot more freedom to explore.”
In addition to his interest in math and business, Creedon accidentally discovered an unlikely new passion heading into his junior year. Less than a week before classes began in September, Creedon switched into Mr. Canavan’s psychology class with some friends and found himself enthralled with the subject. He ended up having such a great time in the class that he is now hoping to combine his interests to study behavioral economics in college.
Creedon has balanced his studies with athletic pursuits as a member of the football and wrestling teams, as well as with the National Honor Society and helping to donate books as part of the Book Fairies program. His interest in wrestling led him to contact the head coach at the University of Pennsylvania during his junior year. This connection led him to participate in a summer camp at the school, where he fell in love with the campus and ultimately decided it needed to be at the top of his early decision list. While he won’t wrestle there, Creedon’s used his interest and outgoing nature to make inroads and find the best place for him to continue his academic career.
“Without wrestling, I wouldn’t have applied, let alone picked it as the school for me,” Creedon said. “It was monumental in getting me there, and while I don’t think I’ll be continuing wrestling, it was huge in getting me there.”
During his senior year, Creedon has continued to let his curiosity guide him into new and exciting areas. He took to the stage dressed as one of the aliens from “Toy Story” as part the annual Lip Sync Night, belting “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” with his classmates. Growing up, he enjoyed trick or treating at Safe Halloween, and this year he experienced that event as an organizer with his fellow student government members. He also took on the role of Board of Education ex-officio member with Christian Ciccone, where the two keep the Board abreast of the happenings within the school buildings from a student perspective.
“I think it’s been a really good experience,” Creedon said of his ex-officio duties. “It helps with my public speaking since I have to address the Board, as well as the audience.”
Creedon will take his leadership skills and curious spirit with him to The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in the fall.