Trustworthy, loyal and reliable are just some of the words that can be used to describe Tara Wilson. The Huntington High School senior has sparkled for the past four years and she’s determined to graduate next June on a high note.
Ms. Wilson’s academic schedule includes five Advanced Placement classes. She’s enrolled in AP Calculus AB, AP Physics, AP Literature and Composition, AP Government and Politics, AP Microeconomics, African American Politics and Creative Writing. She’s also engaged in a full-year credit bearing internship with social studies teacher Peter Crugnale in an AP Psychology class.
The teenager plays on the Blue Devil soccer, basketball and lacrosse teams. Ms. Wilson also participates in the Young Leaders youth development organization, Natural Helpers and Habitat for Humanity. A member of the National Honor Society as well as the English, Science, Spanish and Social Studies honor societies, she intends to help with Huntington’s Relay For Life next spring.
“I’m trying to be a better student and be more self-sufficient by the end of this year in order to prepare me for college,” Ms. Wilson said. “I also hope to make a lot of unforgettable memories with my friends during our final days left of high school.”
Huntington High School
senior Tara Wilson.
The senior has developed several close relationships with faculty members. “Throughout my classes over the years, Ms. [Camille] Tedeschi (9H Global History and AP World History), Mr. [Edward] Florea (Honors Chemistry) and Ms. [Deborah] Beck (AP Biology) have been the best teachers I’ve had,” Ms. Wilson said. “I always get anxiety over tests and each of these teachers have helped me feel more confident when it comes to school as well as teaching me different ways to study their intriguing, yet challenging subjects of history and science.”
Ms. Wilson especially benefitted from working with several teachers. “I had Ms. Tedeschi for ninth and tenth grade and initially she and her class were extremely intimidating, but as I continued into the class I came to love how she teaches and travels, her course and her,” the teenager said. “I am now striving to be a Global History teacher in the future. Additionally, Ms. [Maria] Canino and Mr. [Robert] Glimor have been there for me throughout my high school experience. They haven’t taught me anything through a textbook, but they truly have made me a better person by guiding me through any situation I was in.”
The senior is jamming as much as she can into every day with the intention of making her final year at Huntington High School the most special one yet. She’s made so many friends that it will be hard not having daily interactions with them next year as Ms. Wilson embarks on the next stage of her life.
“Participating in the Huntington athletic program has certainly been a big part of my high school experience,” Ms. Wilson said. “All of the players become so intimate with one and another, bonding through the sport. I love competing with all my friends and hanging out with them in and out of the season. Even watching my peers compete in their own games and matches is something I very much enjoy doing. Most of the time after practices my teammates and I stay late to watch if there’s a home game.”
Ms. Wilson and fellow senior Anna Gulizio have been friends since kindergarten and the duo plays on the soccer and basketball teams together. “Tara is a really hard worker in school and in sports,” Ms. Gulizio said.
Huntington girls’ basketball head coach Michael Kaplan will be counting on Ms. Wilson to play a key role on the team during the coming season. “Tara is one of the hardest working players that I have coached,” Mr. Kaplan said. “She is extremely responsible and a pleasure to be around. She is able to balance school work and being a three sport athlete and always has a smile on her face.”
School is more than just grades on a report card or points on a scoreboard to the teenager. The human component has loomed large during Ms. Wilson’s time in Huntington.
“Among the things that have made my experience so special are the relationships I’ve made since I entered the district,” Ms. Wilson said. “I’ve established friendships that will last me a lifetime and made amazing relationships with multiple mentors within the school. They have truly impacted me and made me view things differently.”
Ms. Wilson hasn’t finalized her college plans yet, but she intends to study history and education with the goal of becoming a social studies teacher.
“My overall experience at Huntington High School has been unforgettable,” Ms. Wilson said. “I’ve learned so much and had an amazing time with all the events the school and community has to offer.”
