David Stillman Speaks
David Stillman is rarely at a loss for words. The Huntington High School senior is a man of many opinions. He's an exceptional student, keen observer and has learned his lessons well. When he speaks, teachers and classmates listen.
"I guess I would say that my four years at Huntington High School has surrounded me with the most influential people in my life," Mr. Stillman said. "My friends are all brilliant, even the ones who do not show it on paper. I fully believe that somebody from the Class of 2011 will grow up to change the world."
Mr. Stillman has been a key singles player on the Blue Devil tennis squad and has captained the volleyball team. "I absolutely love these sports and am always discouraged to not find the same enthusiasm in others. My coaches, Mr. [Chris] Mooney and Mr. [Jamie] Fishlow have been profound influences throughout all four years of high school. Any growth I may have experienced in character is most likely because of their teaching and discipline."
One of Mr. Stillman's teammates on the volleyball team is John McCarthy, whose mother happens to be Georgia McCarthy, Huntington's director of physical education, health and interscholastic athletics. "Mrs. McCarthy seems to have made it her duty to give me a very tough love approach to my high school life," Mr. Stillman joked. "It seems like every action I take is awaited by her and her enthusiasm."
The teenager said he's also been influenced by some of his academic teachers. "Ever since ninth grade, Mr. [Michael] Graziano, my freshman math teacher, has been nothing but supportive and encouraging to me with any high school issue I have," Mr. Stillman said. "I have also had the pleasure of having Mrs. [Kelly] Krycinski twice, once in ninth grade English and the other time in eleventh grade Bible Literature. She seems to be incapable of steering me or any other student in the wrong direction and I am extremely grateful for having her as a teacher/mentor."
Another very strong influence on the senior has been James Graber, who teaches AP U.S. History and microeconomics. Mr. Graber can be brutally honest at times in his assessments, "but I'm sure it is because underneath that rough erudite goateed exterior, there is a cute teddy bear who wants me to succeed and knows I can withstand his insults," laughed Mr. Stillman.
It was Mr. Graber who convinced Mr. Stillman to join the staff of The Dispatch, Huntington High School's student newspaper. Mr. Graber is the paper's faculty advisor and Mr. Stillman is its business/media editor. "It is new for me, but I love the job and my fellow editors," the teenager said. "Mr. Graber has definitely caused me to push myself in high school more than any other teacher."
Social studies teacher Camille Tedeschi has been another important figure in Mr. Stillman's high school life. The teenager was a student in Ms. Tedeschi's, Global 9 Honors and AP World History classes and she is a "teacher who has definitely helped me mature quickly in high school and has always welcomed me in her classroom, even though she no longer teaches me," he said.
Does the senior have a favorite subject? That would be math. He's president of the math honor society and works closely with faculty advisor Monica Racz. Members of the organization helped out at Southdown School's Math Night and have been active in spreading their love for math.
Huntington English teacher Michael Schwendemann has been a somewhat surprising influence on Mr. Stillman. "I have never had him as a teacher or been a member of one of his clubs, but since my locker is right next to his room we always chat and he always has something hilarious to say," the senior said.
Mr. Stillman has a sharp wit and a healthy sense of humor. While he can be a deep thinker, he also likes to laugh. In many ways he's one of the most colorful characters in Huntington's Class of 2011.