No Regrets for Jaime Moskowitz
It's a good thing that Jaime Moskowitz has an enormous reservoir of energy because the Huntington High School senior is always in motion.
The teenager's journey in the district began in 2000 as a kindergartener at Flower Hill Primary School. She will graduate in a few short months as one of the top members of Huntington's Class of 2013.
"There was a point where I was almost pulled out of the district to attend private school, but I'm happy that my parents decided to keep me at Huntington because I've created memories and experiences at these schools and with the people I've met for years to come," Ms. Moskowitz said.
The senior is the student director of the Huntington High School drama club's spring musical production of The Sound of Music, which will have a three-show run this Friday and Saturday. Ms. Moskowitz has also been the student director of two previous club productions.
"Drama club has been such an important part of my high school career, because not only did I have a chance to perform, but I was also able to explore my other strengths, like casting and to form connections with the upperclassmen when I was a freshman, many whom I still keep in touch with today."
Sings in the Choir
Along with the drama club came Ms. Moskowitz's interest in chorus. She joined the class midway through ninth grade and she has stuck with it. "I've now been in the chamber choir for two years and I love being a part of this group as well," she said. "I was hesitant about joining, but through drama club I was introduced to Ms. [Veronica] Escamilla (director of Huntington's choral program) and she convinced me to try it out. In these four years I've changed from a freshman in concert choir to a choral singer in chamber and she's changed from Ms. Escamilla to Mrs. Mainville! I'm so happy I switched into her class. I can't imagine my high school career without chorus in it."
Ms. Moskowitz is also "highly involved" with the Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth organization, which is widely known by the acronym, LIGALY. "There I am a member of a group they call the Safe Schools Team, which is a handful of student activists for the GLBT community who want to erase bullying within schools and make them a safer environment for all students."
As president of Huntington High School's Gay/Straight Alliance, the teenager has worked closely with the group's faculty advisor, science teacher Anna Fabela to enhance the organization's presence in the building.
Headed to Univ. of Vermont
"Next year I plan on going to the University of Vermont with a major in psychology and a concentration/minor in sexuality and gender identity studies, because what I really want to do with my life is dedicate my time to the GLBT community and be a strong activist," Ms. Moskowitz said. "As for a career path, I plan on using both my passion for this area and my personal connections to the transgender community to become a gender and sexuality therapist for youth or adults who are struggling with their identity and need a GLBT-friendly psychologist to talk to."
Voted "Most Likely to be Famous" by classmates, Ms. Moskowitz said she plans on using "my 'fame' to help this marginalized community be recognized not as a minority, but simply as human, as I would wish for every current minority group."
Several years ago Ms. Moskowitz was advised to take the Huntington High school social studies elective course Women's Studies. "Although sexuality, gender identity and sexism are all different, they involve similar struggles to overcome," she said. "I signed up for the class once it was offered my senior year and I am so happy I had a chance to take it. Ms. [Camille] Tedeschi is so passionate about the subject matter and she really made all the students become engaged in the material."
Would Change Nothing
As she begins the final marking period of her high school career, the senior took the time to reflect on her experiences and offer her insight to those who will come after her.
"To the current freshman, the soon to be freshman and any other student awaiting their own freshman year no matter how far away it is, don't enter high school expecting to have regrets," Ms. Moskowitz said. "Yes, we all have moments that may not have been our best, but at the end of the four years when you look back on it you realize four years isn't all that long and I know I'd change nothing about my time here. Remember to be yourself and don't let anyone take that right away from you. Although bullying still exists, we're privileged enough to have a diverse and accepting school, which means that every student is able to be who they are. Don't let the small things set you back. There will always be someone on your side to support you, whether it's family, friends, staff, or a combination."