With a sense of determination and passion, Hendrick Hudson High School’s two top students graduated this week, sharing how a pursuit of robotics and running shaped their success. 

Valedictorian Braxton Shoults, and salutatorian Victor Delgado addressed approximately 200 classmates, families and guests at the June 25  graduation outside on the school’s field.. 

The two young men shared their stories of focused determination with the Peekskill Herald right before the ceremony.

For Braxton, it’s robotics. For Victor, it’s track and field.

“One big lesson that I’ve learned throughout high school is to always advocate for something if you need it,” valedictorian Braxton, the student with the highest grade point average, told the Peekskill Herald. “I think communication is a big thing I’ve learned and being able to communicate is really helpful for getting what you need.” 

Salutatorian Victor, the student with the second best grade point average, shared that his success was shaped by running, which became a central part of his lifestyle and overall high school experience. 

Braxton and Victor were happy to share their personal success stories with the Herald, looking forward to studying mechanical engineering and biochemistry at Purdue University and Dartmouth College.. 

Braxton Schoult’s Story

Braxton moved to New York from Colorado just before high school and wasted no time demonstrating elite academic achievement and a growing commitment to robotics. 

After his efforts to start a robotics club at Hendrick Hudson didn’t work out, Braxton persisted, starting a robotics team in the basement of his home. His team joined a competitive robotics program for high school students called Vex Robotics. With the help and support of his parents, his dream came to life, thanks to his determination in designing, building and leading his own robotics team. 

Braxton’s mom coached the team, while his dad modeled hard work and achieving goals. 

As a result of the team’s collective efforts,  it  qualified for the Vex Robotics World Championship for three consecutive years. This year, the team advanced to the division finals, placing in the top 20 teams out of 10,000, while in 2024 and 2025, it was state champion.

Braxton shared that robotics played a major role in shaping both his goals and high school experience. “I’m going to college for engineering, so robotics has definitely influenced me a lot.” 

He added that being on a team and working together with others helped him problem-solve  and come up with collaboratives.  “So I think it’s not only a great experience for me in high school, but it’s teaching me all these soft skills that are really helpful going into college and beyond.” 

But it wasn’t all robotics for Braxton, who edited the Hendrick Hudson High School literary magazine and volunteered at his church, where he was on their lighting and tech production team. 

Braxton will continue pursuing robotics through college clubs and  organizations at Perdue.

Victor Delgado’s Story

Victor has crossed one finish line and looks forward to continuing his award-winning track career at Dartmouth College,  where he will participate in  cross country and track and field.

He said his interest in science is rooted in Hendrick Hudson’s four-year biomedical program. The program introduces students to biomedical concepts, body systems, medical interventions, and an independent application project.

In the final year of the program, Victor  and his group completed a hospital  project that focused on technology innovations to speed treatment. 

“There’s a lot of problems that we witnessed in cases where patients weren’t treated directly or they suffered because they didn’t receive attention. As an athlete, that’s something that’s cool that I want to apply to my biochemistry studies, combining nutrition and sports science. With running, where it’s all scientific, I think there’s a lot of room to maximize both nutrition and supplements.” 

Victor’s accomplishments as a distance runner include two-state silver medals and being named a two-time All-American. Running, he said, gave him an outlet outside of academics. 

“I viewed running as this other outlet of relaxation. It allowed me to take a break from school. It was this cool portal where I could drop everything and focus on a new topic.”

Although Braxton and Victor took different paths, both showed success and determination within their personal interests.