Dylan Payne is Salutatorian of Huntington’s Class of 2009
Dylan Payne is following in the footsteps of his sister, Hannah, as the Huntington High School senior is the salutatorian of the Class of 2009. The gracious, talented and energetic scholar has applied to many of the top colleges in the country and with a 103.2 grade average he appears assured of taking his place among the nation’s elite next fall.
“Simply put, Dylan Payne is outstanding,” said Bernadette Walsh, the high school’s college counselor. “In the classroom, he prods and challenges, seeking and finding alternative solutions. Nothing gets by him. Dylan is focused on his classes with a maturity not often seen among his peers.”
Mr. Payne has always been a quick learner, completing his freshman courses while he was still in the eighth grade. “Because of his academic success, he has often been moved up even further to join honors and Advanced Placement classes, working with much older students,” Mrs. Walsh said. “Throughout this, Dylan has shown the maturity and academic proficiency that has enabled him to fit in and continue to excel at higher levels. He is a highly reflective young man, taking into consideration each of his teachers’ suggestions and weighing the possible outcomes. He is consistently looking to improve his repertoire and knowledge base.”
Teachers marvel at Mr. Payne’s old-fashioned work ethic and his multi-tasking and organizational skills. “He is a bright student who is motivated by his own interests rather than competition or exterior rewards,” Mrs. Walsh said. “He sets his standard for excellence high and has experienced significant academic and personal growth. However, Dylan is about much more than grades. He loves to learn and takes every opportunity to increase his knowledge, reading and researching voraciously! He is a sponge, absorbing all he can.”
Mr. Payne’s sister, Hannah, was salutatorian of Huntington’s Class of 2007. Today she is a sophomore at Dartmouth College. Like his sister, he is mild-mannered and respectful with a healthy sense of humor and sharp wit.
“He is a true scholar who is more interested in the process of learning than the grades earned,” Mrs. Walsh said. “His teachers comment that he is always thoroughly prepared and goes beyond what is required to do well in his classes. He is the student who does the required reading and then reads several more works by that author to find a deeper understanding. Our faculty unanimously accords him the respect given a true scholar. He is a joy to have in class; an active participant who is highly motivated and understands material in a depth achieved by few.”
In addition to being a top student, Mr. Payne is also a fine athlete, competing on the varsity track and fencing teams and making notable contributions in each sport. He is well-known for his sense of sportsmanship and his manner of encouraging and supporting teammates. Instead of focusing on personal accomplishments, Mr. Payne is all about the success of the group, both in athletics and the school’s co-curricular program.
“Dylan does not join clubs just to spice up his résumé; rather he is truly invested in each club’s mission and purpose,” Mrs. Walsh said. “He’s a philanthropist at heart, traveling far and wide to aid those in need. During the summer before his sophomore year, Dylan spent one month in Peru. He lived with a Peruvian family who spoke no English! There, he participated in immersion Spanish language and culture courses, taught elementary school children, and helped rebuild a wall in a hacienda. His construction skills came in handy for his recent Habitat for Humanity build and he’s even a guide dog trainer.”
The president of two honor societies, historian of a third and a member of a fourth, Mr. Payne has also found time for many other activities, including competing on the high school mathletes team and writing for The Dispatch, Huntington’s student newspaper.
At home Mr. Payne has taught himself to cook and developed a fondness for it, whipping up fancy desserts like soufflés. “He was inspired by a friend who cooks gourmet foods, and he picked out his own cookbook and got to work,” Mrs. Walsh said. Dylan demonstrates excellence in all he does. A young man who knows who he is and stands up for what he believes is right, he’s an independent thinker and a leader among his peers. He is a welcome addition to any class and a favorite among our faculty. We are so fortunate to have had him with us for four years. Dylan is a student who will be missed when he graduates.”
All graphics, photographs, and text appearing on the Huntington Public Schools home page and subsequent official web pages are protected by copyright. Redistribution or commercial use is prohibited without express written permission. Comments or Questions? email the Public Information Office