Noelle Harvey has ridden a roller coaster through the past four years, but the Huntington High School senior is headed to the finish line on a high note.
The teenager battled through a serious knee injury and endured arduous rehabilitation as a freshman. There were many long days, but Ms. Harvey has worked hard to regain her form and she’s earned a reputation as one of the best lacrosse players on Long Island.
An optimistic young woman by nature, Ms. Harvey is an integral member of Huntington’s Class of 2017. A fine student, she’s enrolled in several Advanced Placement classes as well as Honors Spanish, Physics and even a Bible Literature course. The senior holds down membership in three academic honor societies.
Ms. Harvey is verbally committed to play NCAA Division I lacrosse at Wagner College in Staten Island. “I hope to have a career as a physician assistant,” the teenager said. “Realizing my dream of becoming a physician assistant would fulfill my interests in the medical field and my hope to help and give back to my community.”
Huntington senior Noelle Harvey.
The senior is in the midst of her sixth and final season with Huntington’s varsity swimming and diving team. Ms. Harvey is also expected to be one of the top members of the Blue Devil lax team next spring, helping to lead the defensive unit.
Vice president of Huntington’s Habitat for Humanity chapter, Ms. Harvey is also a contributing member of the high school’s Interact club. She has embraced Huntington’s academic, club and sports programs and thrived over the past four years.
“Huntington High School has shaped the person I am today,” Ms. Harvey said. “I grew up in the hands of a loving community and it has only made me a better person. I know the lessons and the experiences I have enjoyed at Huntington will take me far in the future.”
“Noelle is such a kind and genuine person”
Ms. Harvey sets high goals for herself and she pursues them with every bit of energy she can muster. When the teenager hurt her knee, she displayed a degree of determination few can match as she battled to return to form.
While many terms can be used to accurately describe Ms. Harvey, “valued friend” might fit her best. She has surrounded herself with high quality people and they all support and encourage one another.
“Noelle is such a kind and genuine person and a really good friend,” said Emma Petrizzi, a classmate and lacrosse teammate. “She’s always there to talk about whatever, whenever.”
Ms. Harvey is striving to qualify for Huntington High School’s High Honor Roll in all four marking periods this year. “Not only is working hard in school important to me, but I hope to make this final year as fun as possible,” she said. “I want to stay involved and keep up the school spirit by going to sports games and school activities.”
Close relationships are important to the teenager and she has developed several with classmates, teammates and faculty members. Her outgoing personality and kind nature attracts others and quickly earns their affection.
“Noelle is so special”
“Noelle is so special because she’s always looking to make everything better, whether it’s her grades, her community, her friends or herself,” classmate and close friend Grace Curran said. “She will not stop until everyone is happy and everything is perfect and even though that’s a difficult task sometimes, she does it with a smile.”
Ms. Harvey has developed a close relationship with Robert Gilmor III, a high school dean and the Habitat for Humanity club’s faculty advisor. “Mr. Gilmor has always been a joy to know,” she said. “His presence can make my saddest days into the happiest. He is very understanding, easy to talk to and an overall joy! Mrs. [Kaitlyn] Hanft, my tenth grade Global History teacher and now my AP Government and Economics teacher has always been one of my favorites, too. Having a teacher that I can easily connect with is something I’ve always hoped for. She is someone I can go to for help, not only with school issues, but also with other social problems I may need help with.”
Ms. Harvey is “excited” about the different learning experiences her senior year courses are providing. She’s looking to make each day special as her time at Huntington High School grows shorter.
Enjoyed plenty of unforgettable experiences
“While spending four years here I’ve had plenty of experiences that I won’t forget,” Ms. Harvey said. “I had the great opportunity to go to New Orleans and build with Habitat for Humanity and several of my classmates. On top of building in New Orleans, I began to build a house on Long Island for one of our own, Ms. Youlanda [Carey]. Giving back to a person close to home and to one who truly deserves it was an incredible experience. Being able to build with such wonderful people was an unbelievable experience and I hope many other people can experience it as well.”
When graduation rolls around next June, Ms. Harvey will be both excited for the future and sad that her time at Huntington High School has run its course.
“The one thing I can’t stress enough to freshmen is that high school goes by so quickly,” Ms. Harvey said. “It’s hard for me to even believe that I am a senior already. I want the freshmen to try and make the best of every day because before you know it will be over.”
