Downsville Central School (DCS) has announced the valedictorian and salutatorian for the class of 2026. Congratulations to Valedictorian Aarav Patel and Salutatorian Allison Ruoff.
Aarav is the son of Mr. Umesh Patel and Mrs. Urvashi Patel of Downsville. Besides excelling academically, Aarav has been very active in his extracurricular activities over his high school career. In ninth grade Aarav played on the soccer team, basketball team, and baseball team. He was also a member of Ski Club and SADD. He served as treasurer of STEM Club and as his class treasurer, and was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society. In tenth grade Aarav played varsity soccer and ran varsity track. He was a member of Not Me Not Now, Student Council, STEM Club and Ski Club. He also participated in travel soccer outside of school. As a junior Aarav played varsity soccer as well as travel soccer. He was a member of the Ski Club, SADD Club, and served as Student Council Class Representative. He attended a student leadership workshop while serving as his class representative. He was also inducted into the National Honor Society. This year Aarav played varsity soccer and is a member of Not Me Not Now, Student Council, and is the yearbook treasurer. He participated in indoor winter track and outdoor spring track as well as travel soccer. His leadership skills have developed nicely over the years, and he has been able to be a role model for other students. This year he has served as National Honor Society vice-president and Downsville Board of Education Ex Officio Student Board Member.
Aarav plans to attend Rutgers University in the fall and will study finance. Congratulations Aarav on your excellent achievements.
Allison has excelled academically throughout her time at DCS. In addition to Allison’s academic accomplishments, she has been involved in numerous extracurricular activities during her high school career. In ninth grade Allison participated in SADD, cheerleading, Student Council, National Junior Honor Society, NYSSMA, and Girls Scouts. She also spent much of her time at dance classes weekly after school, including ballet and hip-hop. Allison helped by volunteering her time at the afterschool program to work with younger students. In tenth grade Allison was a member of SADD, NYSSMA, All-State Band, cheerleading, Girl Scouts, National Junior Honor Society and was class treasurer. Allison spent time after school volunteering in the community and continued to take dance classes such as ballet, pointe, lyrical, and jazz. As a junior Allison advanced to National Honor Society and served again as class treasurer and the National Honor Society treasurer. She participated in cheerleading, NYSSMA, and dance. As a senior, Allison is participating in the production of the school yearbook, NYSSMA, serves as class treasurer, and National Honor Society treasurer and band treasurer. Allison continues to dance this year studying ballet and pointe and sometimes assists younger students in dance classes as well.
Allison is the daughter of Eleanor Pepe and Charles Ruoff.
Allison plans to attend Stony Brook University in the fall and is excited to join the Seawolf family.
Congratulations, Allison, on a job well done.
