When it comes to her work and friends, it’s hard to find anyone more dedicated than Lia Shechter, one of Huntington High School’s most exceptional Class of 2020 members.
Ms. Shechter is one of those rare people who does everything well. While some of it comes naturally and easy to her, she works very hard at all of it. It’s her cheerful nature and strong work ethic that has endeared her to everyone she comes in contact with from classmates to teachers and administrators.
Huntington High School junior Lia Shechter.
The junior’s slate of activities includes playing a key role on the high school’s county championship mock trial team, holding down memberships in the National Honor Society, Social Studies Honor Society, Science Honor Society and Math Honor Society, participating on Huntington Science Olympiad team and in the environmental club and playing flute in the Blue Devil marching band.
Ms. Shechter’s academic schedule includes classes in Advanced Placement English Language & Composition, AP Chemistry, AP Statistics, AP US History, Pre-Calculus BS, Virtual Enterprise and Band.
The teenager’s closest friends are Shannon Anderson and Peyton Kalb. But just to be clear, there isn’t a soul at Huntington High School that Ms. Shechter doesn’t get along with or command respect from.
“Lia is one of the smartest and funniest people I know,” Ms. Kalb said. “She never gives up on anything or anyone. Lia’s been my best friend since seventh grade and I honestly don’t know what I would do without her.”
Among Ms. Shechter’s favorites teachers are Suzi Biagi, Dame Forbes, Lynn Hendricks, Victoria Lombardi, Danielle Lusardi, Kenneth Donovan and Patricia Avelli. Regardless of who happens to be standing at the front of the class, the teenager always finds plenty to learn and whet her intellectual appetite.
“Lia is a bright, kind and special young lady,” said Mrs. Forbes, a high school science teacher. “She is a natural leader and one of the best that Huntington has to offer. As a teacher I was so very fortunate to have her as a student and share my passion for STEM education with her.”
An integral member of this year’s mock trial team, Ms. Shechter is working closely with legal advisors John LoTurco and Xavier Palacios. Last year as a sophomore she was named the Blue Devils’ Rookie of the Year Award recipient.
“Lia is a very bright young lady,” Mrs. Lusardi said. “She shines in my AP Chemistry class, she is a part of the CPC program to learn about the development of composite materials and she’s been an intern at BAE Systems for engineering. I foresee a very promising future in STEM for this young lady.”
Ms. Shechter is really not focusing on life after high school just yet. “I’m not sure what college I plan on going to, but I plan on studying something in the STEM field,” she said.
Since her first days of kindergarten at Flower Hill Primary School, Ms. Shechter has been making friends and earning admirers on the faculty. Her powerful presence has never gone unnoticed in any class.
“I have enjoyed my years in Huntington,” Ms. Shechter said. “I had great teachers who inspired me to want to learn more. I also made amazing friends that I am confident I will stay in contact with through college, especially from marching band. I wouldn’t trade it for any other school.”
