WVHS students honored at 2026 OU BOCES Outstanding Students Luncheon

Congratulations to Warwick Valley High School valedictorian James Curtis and salutatorian Nathan Link, who were recognized at the 2026 Outstanding Student Honoree Awards Ceremony and Luncheon, hosted by Orange-Ulster BOCES at the the Barn at Villa Venezia.

The annual event celebrates outstanding students from OU BOCES programs and two students from each OU BOCES region high school. The students were joined by their families, teachers and administrators to enjoy lunch and the ceremony 

Here is some information about each student, including what led to their nominations, some personal background and their future plans.

James Curtis is an exceptionally driven scholar and researcher with a lifelong passion for space and astrophysics. His remarkable academic intellect is evidenced by his status as a National Merit Scholarship Finalist, a near-perfect score of 1590 on the SAT, and his membership in the National Honor Society and the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society.

Through the Science Research Program, Mr. Curtis conducted advanced scientific work analyzing exoplanet transit data using NASA’s TESS database. He also lends his talents to the DUSO Region Math Team and the Orange County Academic League Team. As the captain of the WVHS Wildcats Robotics Team, he demonstrated superb leadership and collaboration in guiding the team to the Excelsior Regionals and earning the Best Robot Design Award.

The recipient of a significant merit-based scholarship, Mr. Curtis will attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the fall to major in physics with a focus on astrophysics and quantum information sciences.

Nathan Link is an incredibly versatile scholar, performer, and athlete who consistently embraces new challenges with confidence and creativity. His academic excellence is highlighted by his status as a National Merit Commended Student, placing him in the top tier of test-takers nationwide as well as his induction into the National Honor Society and the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society.

Demonstrating remarkable range, Mr. Link has played the piano for ten years, performs with the Meistersingers, and stepped outside his comfort zone this year to take on a lead role in the school musical alongside competing in varsity football, golf, and track.

His exceptional drive earned him a full-tuition scholarship to Michigan State University’s
competitive Honors College. In the fall, Mr. Link will attend MSU to major in physics and potentially minor in piano performance, channeling his deep curiosity into the sciences and arts.