HARTE Recognizes Erin LaSorsa
with Scholarship
The Huntington Association of Retired Teachers and Employees has awarded a $1,200 scholarship to Huntington High School senior Erin LaSorsa, who is headed to SUNY New Paltz in the fall.
"HARTE is proud; very proud, to present this award to a very deserving senior," retired teacher Eileen Darwin said at last week's senior academic awards night in the high school auditorium. HARTE has presented an annual scholarship to a graduating senior for many years. The award is supported by dues from the organization's members.
"I'm not quite sure what I want to study at New Paltz just yet," Ms. LaSorsa said. "I might try out journalism or writing, but I really don't have any clue." The senior has been enrolled in the Huntington School District since kindergarten "and really found it to be a great school district," she said.
Mrs. Darwin said that Ms. LaSorsa "has a strong work ethic and a sense of independence and responsibility." The retired teacher called the senior a "team player" who is "a genuine and trustworthy friend."
Ms. LaSorsa has been involved in as many school activities as she could squeeze into her daily schedule, including Habitat for Humanity, Natural Helpers, yearbook, student government, drama club and Relay for Life. She has served as president of the still fledgling environmental club, "which I keep close to my heart because it is so small and new," she said.
One of Ms. LaSorsa's favorite aspects of the past four years has been the trips she has experienced. "Many of my friends that go to other school districts always say how they wish they went to Huntington because of the traveling opportunities Huntington offers," she said. She traveled to New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama with the Habitat for Humanity club and to Greece on a privately organized trip with classmates and a handful of teachers.
"Traveling definitely opens your eyes to the world and is such a good learning experience," Ms. LaSorsa said. "Being able to travel with your friends and favorite teachers only makes the journey greater."
The teenager will be graduating in less than three weeks with many happy memories. "I am very grateful for the teachers I have had throughout my years at Huntington High School," Ms. LaSorsa said. "One of the first teachers that impacted me was Mr. [Michael] Schwendemann. He was my English teacher my freshman year and ran the drama club, which was the first club I joined at the high school. His enthusiastic personality was a very warm welcome to the high school and I still am close to him today."
Ms. LaSorsa took the opportunity last weekend to reflect on her high school academic experience. "I find that all the English teachers and courses I have taken have been my favorite classes, since I am such a nerd for literature," she said. "However, I do find that classes that you might not exactly click with can still be great. For example, this year I am in Microeconomics with Mr. [James] Graber. I know that economics is a field that I will never take part in, but Mr. Graber really makes it interesting and I find myself enjoying the class."
The teenager cites school dean Robert Gilmor as "another influential person" in her high school career. "I met him during my freshman year because he ran Habitat for Humanity and later grew to know him more through Natural Helpers," Ms. LaSorsa said. "He is the nicest, patient and most loving person I have ever met and he has helped me so much."
As hundreds of current eighth graders begin to turn their sights on the high school, Ms. LaSorsa has some advice for anyone willing to listen. "What I would like to say to incoming freshmen is that the high school isn't like some fictitious, musical movie and it's not the real world, it's somewhere in between," she said. "It's not perfect and who you are here doesn't matter once you leave. High school is a place filled with opportunities and you should not waste one. I started out in extra help classes and ended up in all APs by my senior year. Use this time, whether it is okay or horrible to you, to establish who you want to be when you leave, because that is what matters."