When Thomas Grygiel learned he had been named valedictorian ofManhasset High School’s Class of 2026, he was surprised.
“I didn’t really fully expect it,” said the 18-year-old. “I was just really grateful.”
That sense of humility is a defining trait for Grygiel, one that those closest to him say has always set him apart.
“He always comes home and tells us how brilliant his school friends are,” said his mother, Lisa Grygiel. “He’s humble. He’s not just focused on himself.”
Grygiel, the youngest of three siblings, grew up in a close-knit household where intellectual curiosity and conversation were part of daily life. Family dinners could turn into discussions about calculus, and learning was encouraged not as a task, but as a passion.
“We gave him a strong reliance on family,” his mother said, noting the influence of both immediate and extended relatives, including all four grandparents. “That foundation is everything.”
It’s a foundation that helped Grygiel thrive in one of Long Island’s most competitive academic environments. Drawn early to science and space, he developed a strong work ethic over time, paired with a natural curiosity about the world around him.
But for Grygiel, achievement has never been the end goal.
“I think success is living a rich life,” he said. “Titles and achievements only bring a certain amount of joy. It’s about surrounding yourself with good people, being loving and generous, and finding beauty in life.”
That philosophy is closely tied to his faith, which Grygiel said plays a central role in shaping how he lives and treats others.
Source: LI Press
