Thomas Hardardt Savors Every Day
Thomas Hardardt is savoring every day that he has left at Huntington High School. The senior has been a student in the district since kindergarten. He takes pride in the solid record of achievement that will be his legacy as he moves on to the University of Rochester in the fall.
Two weeks ago, the teenager was honored as a Distinguished Senior, along with other leading members of Huntington's Class of 2012. Mr. Hardardt has come a long way since those early years at Southdown and Woodhull schools and left a trail of admirers among principals, teachers and classmates.
A member of Huntington High School's National Honor Society chapter, Mr. Hardardt also belongs to the English, science and math honor societies, the latter of which he serves as treasurer. He's been tutoring high school students in math and volunteering weekly at the Huntington Public Library's Huntington Station branch, tutoring elementary school children.
"I give my best to everything I do and I never shy away from challenges." Mr. Hardardt said. "My personal motto is 'never give up,' which has served me well over the years."
Asked to choose his favorite courses, Mr. Hardardt cites math and science. "Although all of my teachers have been great at Huntington High School, my favorites would be Mrs. [Deborah] Beck and Mrs. [Monica] Racz," he said.
The teenager is keenly interested in pursuing a career in medicine. Because of this, he participated in the Suffolk Academy of Medicine's Doctor of Tomorrow program. "Through this program, I was able to accompany a physician as he treated patients in the hospital and in his office," Mr. Hardardt said. "This experience has strengthened my passion for a career in medicine and I plan on studying biology at the University of Rochester in the fall."
A true musician, Mr. Hardardt has played alto saxophone in both the jazz band and concert band for the past four years. He has also earned varsity letters on the Blue Devils volleyball and baseball teams.
"I have most enjoyed playing volleyball for the past four years," the senior said. "The team improved tremendously over the years with the help of head coach Chris Mooney and we were one game away from making the playoffs this year. That final game was one of the highlights of my high school years, as was my final jazz ensemble concert last week."
Honors and awards have steadily rolled in for Mr. Hardardt, who has been on the high honor roll for the past four years, was named a state scholar athlete as a sophomore and junior and earned an All-County Academic Team Award as a senior.
Mr. Hardardt was named an AP Scholar with honors last year. He placed third in the Science Olympian as a sophomore. He's also been involved in many volunteer community service activities.
The teenager has participated in Project HOPE (Helping Other People Eat), preparing and serving food at Sunday suppers for homeless and needy families, volunteered at the Run for Hope, helped coach the Finley boys' volleyball team, performed with the jazz band and helped with the clean-up committee at the Special Olympics Spring Games, raised money for worthy causes with the Key Club as a sophomore, set-up beds and prepared food for the Huntington Interfaith Homeless Initiative and delivered Thanksgiving baskets to families in need as a freshman. He has also provided care and companionship for stray animals through The Grateful Paw.
Mr. Hardardt works hard, in and out of school. He's been a summer counselor at Camp Alvernia, cut lawns, shoveled snow and studied and performed guitar and piano.
"My advice to incoming freshman is to not be afraid to challenge yourself and to remember to have fun," he said. "It is important to keep a balance between strong academic work and consistent participation in extracurricular activities."