For her hard work and dedication on and off the field and court, Westhampton Beach High School senior Matilda Buchen was one of 30 student-athletes across Long Island to be distinguished with a News 12 Scholar Athlete award. Buchen was featured on News 12 and received a $1,000 scholarship from Bethpage Federal Credit Union.

Buchen, who is the Class of 2025 salutatorian, holds numerous awards as a varsity doubles tennis player. She is a state and county doubles champion, a three-time All-State athlete, and a five-time All-County and All-Division athlete. Additionally, she earned the New York State Sportsmanship Award twice, was named a “Top 30 on Long Island” tennis player, and was selected for the Long Island girls tennis team twice. In addition to serving as captain of her tennis team, she has managed the boys varsity tennis team.

Buchen also has an impressive academic record. She is an AP Scholar with Distinction, earned AP Capstone seals on her diploma, and is a member of the school’s National, Math and Science honor societies. Additionally, she is the recipient of the New York State Scholarship for Academic Excellence and a member of her school’s Interact and Debate clubs. She also serves as historian of the National Honor Society.

Outside of school, she serves as a lieutenant of the Westhampton Beach Junior Ambulance and volunteers at a local animal shelter and at East End Hospice.

In the fall, Buchen will study at Stony Brook University in the honors program. She has a goal to become a dentist.

Date Added: 6/24/2025

Westhampton Beach High School seniors Finn Drake and Luciana Reilly were honored by the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance as winners of the Suffolk Zone Student Leadership Award. The two were selected based on their excellence in physical education, leadership ability and service to the community. Drake plays both lacrosse and football and Reilly is a member of her school’s soccer and softball teams.

Date Added: 6/18/2025

Westhampton Beach High School’s community service Golden Canes Club recently donated over $600 to East End Hospice and Camp Good Grief. Club members raised the funds through a second annual pickleball tournament at the Barn in Westhampton. Participating in the tournament were Westhampton Beach High School students and alumni. Congratulations to first-place winners Bobby Stabile and Matilda Buchen.

Date Added: 5/30/2025

Westhampton Beach High School senior Finn Drake was named to the National Football Foundation Golden Eleven team at the Suffolk County Chapter’s annual Scholar Athlete Awards Brunch, held April 27 at the Melville Marriott. This recognition marked Drake as one of the county’s top 11 football scholar-athletes.

“Being named to the Golden Eleven team is a huge honor,” said Drake. “It has shown that all my hard work paid off, both on and off the field. It’s also shown the importance of being not only a good athlete, but also a strong student and leader. It feels great to be recognized for both my athletic and academic successes.”

Drake has played football since the second grade and has played in various positions, from quarterback to wide receiver, linebacker and defense, to help maximize the success of any team he played on. For his efforts, he earned Team MVP and All-County honors for football in his senior year. He also holds an All-County Honorable Mention title for lacrosse.

When not on the field, Drake, an AP Scholar with Honor, volunteers for local PAL sports teams and hospice. He also serves as a representative for the Thomas Cutinella Organ Donation Foundation.

He will be attending Manhattan University in the fall, where he will study finance and play lacrosse.

Date Added: 5/7/2025