Q&A: Sachem North Salutatorian Dylan Cowit

Dylan Cowit is the salutatorian of the Sachem North Class of 2012.

Cowit, of Lake Grove, recently earned recognition as a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. He is headed to Johns Hopkins University with a planned major of pre-law and history. 

Q&A

1. What will you most miss about high school?

I believe the thing I will miss most about high school is the amazing people I have met here. I have made very close bonds with friends over my four years here, and I wish them the best as they move on to the next chapter in their lives as well.

2. What are you looking forward to in moving on to college?

The thing I am most looking forward to in college is the ability to tailor my schedule to include a wider variety of classes. As opposed to high school, where there are mandated classes and very few options, college will hopefully offer a number of novel and interesting courses that could enlighten me about intriguing areas of study or new ways of thinking.

3. What was your favorite high school class?

I believe my favorite high school class was probably AP United States History in 11th grade, taught by Mr. Mallon. While Mr. Mallon unfortunately no longer works at North, his unconventional yet successful teaching methods still resonate with me. His ability to take history and humanize it to make it more personal is astounding, and has inspired me to pursue a history major in college.

4. What clubs or extracurriculars were you involved in?

I was involved in a variety of extracurricular activities, including National Honor Society, Shakespeare Club, Current Events Club, Buddies Club, and Science Honor Society. The club to which I devoted the great majority of my time at North and which is most important to me is Model United Nations, in which members attend conferences and debate current issues as if they were representatives of real nations around the world. It has allowed me to meet such amazing, intelligent people as well as hone my knowledge of current events and public speaking skills. I served as the Co-Secretary General of the club during my senior year.

5. What advice would you give to underclassmen?

I would urge underclassmen to try to create a healthy balance. Clearly, working hard and preparing for your future is very important, but you should also find time to be yourself and do the things you love!

6. Any teachers/staff who stood out through your journey?

I had several teachers who truly inspired me on my journey throughout Sachem North. The first is Dr. Afxendiou, my AP Comparative Government & Politics teacher as well as one of the faculty advisors for my Model United Nations club. Her love for learning and teaching are unparalleled, and she is the main reason I hope to enter politics in the future. The other advisor for Model United Nations, Mr. Miller, has also inspired me. He was my AP World History teacher in 10th grade; his wide breadth of knowledge and keen understanding of history helped my classmates and me achieve success on the AP. Additionally, my AP English Language & Composition teacher, Mrs. Cangelosi, is an amazing woman who singlehandedly taught me how to write effectively and poignantly, a necessary skill in today’s society.

7. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years, I hope to see myself having successfully gone through law school and now working as a constitutional lawyer. If my goals change during the next 10 years, I know I will still pursue a career where I can do what I love every day.

8. Tell us a fun fact about you.

My dream job is to be the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.