KCSD Announces Top Students for Class of 2026

The Kingston City School District (KCSD) has announced Danica Louie as valedictorian and Christopher Vargas-Hubner as salutatorian for the Kingston High School (KHS) Class of 2026. 

Danica, daughter of Town of Ulster residents Erin Lau and Donald Louie, MD, has distinguished herself through academic excellence, leadership, and a strong commitment to her school community. She leads her class with a weighted grade point average (GPA) of 102.4198  while completing a rigorous course load of 11 Advanced Placement (AP) and two college-level courses.

Danica has taken on leadership roles across multiple clubs, serving as president of Peer Tutoring, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Ambassadors, and Girls Who Code. Through PBIS, she spearheaded initiatives such as a club fair held at the middle schools, where students can learn about ways to get involved at KHS and efforts to build school spirit, including pep rallies and increased student engagement.

KHS Principal Dr. Rachael Scorca described Danica as “incredibly empathetic, motivated, and a holistic thinker,” noting that she consistently looks for ways to improve the school community and support others.

A dedicated athlete, Danica has been a member of the Varsity Girls Lacrosse team since her freshman year and competes at the travel level in her free time. She was named a 2025 USA Lacrosse Academic All-American and earned recognition on the Section 9 All-Star Team. She will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she plans to study biology and continue her athletic career on MIT’s Women’s Lacrosse team.

Reflecting on her experience, Danica emphasized the importance of making connections, saying, “It doesn’t even have to be about school … just getting to know your teachers … you can talk about careers and what they’ve done.” She also credited teacher Karen Garner with inspiring her interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and Guidance Counselor Joanna Lacy for helping her develop ideas and navigate opportunities throughout her high school career.

KHS salutatorian Christopher Vargas-Hubner has similarly made his mark through academic achievement and meaningful involvement in school and community programs.

Chris is the son of Lake Katrine residents Luciana and Manuel Vargas, and holds a weighted GPA of 102.2016. He pursued a challenging course load, including 13 AP and two college-level courses, while participating in a variety of extracurricular activities.

He spent four years competing in Science Olympiads, earning regional honors, including first place in Fossils and second place in Tower Building. Chris also served as president of the Computer Science Club and contributed to his school community through the PBIS program, among other activities. Outside of school, he worked with the YMCA Farm Project, where he participated in hands-on agricultural work as well as community-based projects and design initiatives.

Despite his many accomplishments, Chris is known for his humility and approachable personality. “He has a good sense of humor and is incredibly humble—the type of student who is just happy to chat,” Dr. Scorca said. Chris himself reflected on his time at Kingston with a lighthearted memory, recalling a moment when a permission slip turned into a paper hat and ended up in the trash—only for him to retrieve it and get it signed anyway.

Chris will also be attending MIT this fall. He is planning to pursue engineering, and has particular interests in the environmental and mechanical fields. He will be joining his older sister, Lisa Vargas-Hubner, a 2024 KHS graduate, who is currently studying at MIT.

Dr. Scorca praised both Danica and Chris not only for their academic success, but also for their character. “They’re incredibly motivated, high-achieving students, but also really good people. They embody what it means to be hardworking, kind, and community-focused,” she said.

The KCSD congratulates Danica and Chris on their impressive accomplishments and the positive impacts they have made on the community, and wishes them all the best in their future endeavors.