Huntington High Graduates 316

This story was written by George Wallace.
Huntington has been graduating students from high school since the attack on Fort Sumter, the opening shots of the American Civil War in 1861 -- presumably each year with a mixture of attention to tradition and to the circumstances of the moment.

This year’s commencement exercises at Huntington High School -- the 152nd of its kind -- was no different.

“You are a class that is as steeped in diversity and tolerance as you are in tradition,” said Board President Emily Rogan.

Huntington High School’s commencement exercises kicked off Friday with the traditional playing of Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance -- and before the evening was through, the audience was treated to a traditional program of awards and recognitions, comments from prominent members of the school community, conferral of degrees, and tossing of mortar hats.

In all, 316 students were listed in the commencement program, including 68 National Honor Society members, 50 students who received recognition for Advanced Placement (nearly 2/3 with honors or distinction), two National Merit Scholarship commended students (Daniel Gallagher and Ari Moskowitz) and a National Merit Scholarship winner (Alexis Weitzner). 

95 Senior Academic Awards were given to 143 individuals, including Daniel Moya (American Legion Citizenship Award, Art Department Visual Arts Award, Promising Young Writers Award, NHS, Patrick Thomas McCourt Memorial Scholarship); Francesca Gray (At Department Visual Arts Award, John Philip Sousa Award, Tri-M Music Leadership Award, HHS Award for Overall Contribution in Music, NHS, Friends of Phil Memorial Scholarship); Hannah Pipolo (LI Teachers Benevolent Fund, William F. Oliva Memorial Scholarship, Rotary Club Scholarship, James Loebell Memorial Scholarship); Samantha Greenidge (Kevin Sze Memorial Scholarship, Khalil Award, SC School Superintendent’s Scholarship, Associated Teachers of Huntington Scholarship, NHS)   Aasad Miller (Howard Munson Scholarship, Robert Potter Memorial Scholarship, Daniel J Guido Memorial Scholarship, Tri-Community Youth Agency Scholarship); Anna Wertheim (American Legion Citizenship Award, Political Action Award, Joseph Samodi Theatre Arts Award, NHS); Brent Filippini (Rennsalaer Science Medal, Rotary Club Scholarship, T. Christopher Pettit Finalist Award, James Loebell Memorial Scholarship, Boys Fencing Coaches Award, NHS);and Raynisha Witherspoon (PTS Scholarship, St John’s University Women in Science Society Award, Girls Basketball MVP, Girls Volleyball Most Valuable Defense, Joel H. Cohen & Selma Cohen Swaim Vocational Scholarship, T. Christopher Pettit Memorial Scholarship finalist).

68 Senior Athletic Awards were presented, including Hannah Burnett (MVP Girls Soccer, MVP Girls Lacrosse NHS); Nicholas Lupi (MVP Wrestling, G Michael Rizzo Memorial Scholarship, T Christopher Pettit Finalist Award, NHS); Tyler Greenhill (MVP Football, Most Valuable Defense, Boys Lacrosse,  ); and Patrick Reilly (MVP Boys Basketball, Boys Lacrosse, Frank Carino Award for Athletics, Ray Deren Memorial Scholarship).

Salutatorian Molly Prep, winner of a Journalism Award, Robert J Buchanan Jr. Award and DAR Good Citizenship Award, told the audience to never let go of their dreams. “Pursue what makes you happy,“ she said. “You have the power to bring the future into fruition.“ In addition to being in the National Honor Society, Prep -- who is attending NYU in the fall -- was in the Science Honor Society, Math Honor Society, English Honor Society and was an Advance Placement Scholar with Distinction.

Prep was introduced by Laura Ironman (National School Marching Band Award, Joseph Samodi Theatre Arts Award, NHS).

Valedictorian Todd Colvin, recipient of an Alumni Cup and the Robert A Toaz Memorial Prize, told the audience why he believes in Huntington High School. “We went hard or we went home,” he said. In addition to being in the National Honor Society Colvin -- who is attending the University of Virginia in the fall -- was in the Math Honor Society and was an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction.

Colvin was introduced by John Cronin.

Rogan, the president of the Board of Education was introduced by Samantha Dever (NHS). Collin Richardson (Tri-M Music Leadership Award, Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, NHS) introduced the Superintendent of Schools, James W Polansky. Polansky urged graduates to see failure as a step toward success, and to exhibit patience and perseverance.

Principal Dr Carmela Leonardi was introduced by Joshua Solomowitz ( Science National Honor Society Award, NHS) and Kevin Solomowitz (American Legion Music Award, PTSA Scholarship, Vandersall Scholarship, NHS).  Dr Leonardi detailed the accomplishments of the class in the area of service -- including two Relay for Life projects, support for Hurricane Sandy victims and support fot Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. And she noted in detail impressive figures demonstrating the level of academic accomplishment of the class -- including having been offered $24 million in scholarships, up from $12 million last year.

Master of Ceremony for the afternoon was Jonathan Wood (Spanish Award, American Legion Music Award, County Executive Public Service Award, NHS). Class President Stephanie Rafuse (Principal’s Award, NHS) presented the senior class gift, two water treatment systems for the building. The Huntington High School Banner was presented by Stephanie Quesquen and Isabel Casey.