The Pine Bush High School Class of 2026 is an amazing group of young people, all with unique accomplishments and dreams for the future.

The students who finished first and second in their class, valedictorian Lucas Meisel and salutatorian Leah Meberg, are exceptional in so many ways. Like many in this class, they are smart – really smart – and well-rounded. From STEM clubs and classes to National Honor Society memberships to varsity athletics and leadership roles throughout, Lucas and Leah check all the boxes.

 

Valedictorian Lucas Meisel

“Being valedictorian was honestly never on my radar until I spoke with my counselor at the end of last year and learned it was a possibility,” said Lucas.

Earning the honor, though, validates the hard work he has put into his studies throughout his school years.

“My philosophy has always been to keep my head down, study hard and put forth my best effort,” said Lucas. “That is what I have always done and what has gotten me to where I am today.”

Lucas is a member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, the Peer tutoring Program, Interact Club, Technology and Engineering Club, Class Council and Robotics Club. He has also played soccer on both the JV and varsity teams.

He has earned many awards and recognitions as well, including the Rensselaer Medal Award, Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award, College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award, College Board National School Recognition Award, AP Scholar, Scholar-Athlete Awards, Leadership and Law Academy recognition award for academic excellence, Seal of Civic Readiness and several recognition awards for achieving perfect scores of 100 on Regents and 5 on AP exams.

He attended EJR since pre-K, then Crispell Middle School, before coming to Pine Bush High School. Lucas has many great memories from his time at PBHS. One is winning a soccer tournament at James O’Neill High School when he was a sophomore. “We won the championship game by a score of 1-0 in overtime,” he noted.

 

His other favorite memories are the days before winter break.

“Faculty, staff and students spend time participating in a variety of activities and events,” Lucas recalled. “The entire school gets involved and everyone is relaxed, happy and festive. The days are a great way to spend time team-building, collaborating and just having fun, and they are the perfect lead into winter break and the holiday season.”

In the fall, Lucas will be going to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), majoring in computer and systems engineering.

Before that, though, Lucas said he would like to thank some folks for being his support group throughout his childhood.

“I would like to thank all of my teachers throughout the years, those in elementary, middle and high school,” he said. “They all played a role in my academic journey and I am thankful for everything I have learned and experienced along the way.

“I would also like to thank my friends. They kept me smiling when the work piled up.”

And of course, his family. “Finally I would like to thank my family, My parents and sister have always been my biggest supporters, cheering me on and offering love, guidance and shoulders to lean on. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without them.”

Lucas’s family includes his parents, Jane and Peter Meisel, and his sister Mackenzie.

As he moves on from the halls of PBHS to the world of RPI, he has some advice to younger students.

“Whatever you do, do it as if your younger self is watching you as an example,” Lucas said. “Following others is easy, but it isn’t always right. Have integrity and be a role model for others. Work hard and be consistent with everything you do.”

Sage advice from this bright and wise young man.

 

Salutatorian Leah Meberg

 

Leah Meberg’s list of awards and recognitions is impressive – AP Scholar with Distinction, New York State Seal of Biliteracy, New York State Seal of Civic Readiness, New York Renegades Outstanding Student Athlete Award, RIT Math and Science Award, CollegeBoard School Recognition Award, CollegeBoard Small Town Recognition Award, Rotary Youth Leadership Award and Empire Girls State Citizen. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and the National Science Honor Society

Leah is also an athlete and has competed on the varsity level in all 12 seasons of her high school career and achieved varsity scholar athlete status every season. She competed in soccer, track and field, and lacrosse all four years, serving as a captain on track.

Even with all that happening, her education was always the priority. Leah attended Pine Bush Elementary and Crispell Middle School before PBHS.
Being salutatorian is an honor that Leah puts in perspective.

“Being salutatorian hasn’t been the end-all, be-all goal for me, but it’s always been a welcome possibility,” Leah said. “There are more important things than GPA, but I’m proud of myself for learning to balance school alongside sports, my job and my relationships with friends and family.”

Looking back at her time at PBHS, Leah said her favorite memory is having the opportunity to travel abroad.

“My favorite memory from high school is having the opportunity to travel abroad with my teachers and classmates,” she said. “Thanks to our school’s Spanish department, I got to explore Barcelona, Cordoba, Granada and Madrid over spring break. I learned so much and had an amazing time.”

She is grateful for the teachers who made the trip possible and to her parents who supported the plan, as well as her classmates and new friends who helped make so many memories.

“Now I’ve realized that I definitely want to study abroad in college and hope to return to Spain in the future,” she said.

The advice she has for students coming up is simple – “Learn to enjoy the process. It’s easy to get caught up in outcomes and results, but both success and failure feel better when you’ve had fun along the way.” So very true!

Leah will be attending Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio in the fall, majoring in biomedical engineering with a minor in Spanish. She hopes to design and improve medical devices someday.

Leah has gratitude to so many for helping her reach this point.

“I want to thank my parents, Alicia and Peter, for their never-ending support, encouragement and sacrifice,” she said. “Raising six kids is not an easy feat, but they’ve done it without ever seeming to falter, from the years spent driving each of us to sports practices to the hours they’ve spent cheering us on from the sidelines, they have given my siblings and me every opportunity to succeed.”

Leah is in the middle of the six kids in her family – Ella, Deirdre, twin brother Cole, Audra and Trent.

“I’d also like to thank my siblings for always being in my corner,” Leah said. “I am so lucky to have grown up alongside all of you, and while I’m sad to watch our paths diverge, I’m more excited to see each of us succeed in the future!”

Finally, there are her teachers and coaches.

“I’d like to thank all of the teachers and coaches that have supported me and my fellow graduates over the years,” Leah said. “Not a single one of us would be walking across the stage this June without the educators that’ve helped us get here. Additionally, thank you to all of the adults at Pine Bush who have positively impacted each of our lives, from the custodial staff, lunch personnel and bus drivers to our school administrators, counselors and office workers. We cannot thank you enough!”

Congratulations to Lucas and Leah on your amazing accomplishments here at Pine Bush. We can’t wait to see all you accomplish! You have made us all so proud.