Quinn Blackburn’s winning smile and engaging personality can win over anyone. It’s done just that over the past four years at Huntington High School where the teenager has captured the respect of affection of classmates and faculty members.
One of the top members in Huntington’s Class of 2018, Mr. Blackburn has decided to attend Syracuse University next fall. “I will be majoring in the Bandier program in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and earning a Bachelor of Science degree in recording and allied entertainment industries,” he said.
Huntington High School senior Quinn Blackburn.
Mr. Blackburn applied to four colleges and was accepted by all of them, with the three others being Binghamton University, Emerson College and Belmont University. “Belmont was the only one really competing with Syracuse, as it is another top ten music industry school,” he said.
After spending plenty of time thinking it over, Mr. Blackburn decided that Syracuse University is the best place for him to pursue his goals. “The selectivity of the Bandier program really caught my eye, as only 25 people are admitted per year,” he said. “I feel this small class size will give me the personalization, opportunities and drive I need to push my limits and bring me to the top of wherever I end up.”
President of Huntington High School’s Habitat for Humanity and Interact clubs as well as the Art Honor Society and vice president of A World of Difference and the stage crew club, Mr. Blackburn is planning a music festival for Habitat that is tentatively slated to be held in May.
Mr. Blackburn’s senior year schedule includes Advanced Placement Biology, AP Government and Politics, AP Microeconomics, AP Calculus AB, AP Research and AP 2D Design. The teenager is also engaged in a credit-bearing internship with high school photography teacher Pamela Piffard-Williams.
“I am constantly changing my mind about what I want to do when I grow up, but something I do know is that I want something exciting, creative and impactful,” Mr. Blackburn said. “As of right now, an end career of becoming a creative director seems ideal.”
Mr. Blackburn has worked especially closely with Mrs. Piffard-Williams, business teacher Suzie Biagi and English teacher Dianna Molenko, but he gets along with everyone else, too.
“Quinn Blackburn is an amazing guy,” Mrs. Piffard-Williams said. “He is kind, creative and hard working. Last year Quinn told me he’s ready for real life to start and he wants to do things that matter. It speaks volumes to who he is. He know what he wants and he will accomplish his goals.”
As he makes his way around the high school building, Mr. Blackburn is surrounded by people of all ages who hold him in high regard. “Quinn embodies all the best of the Huntington spirit,” said Rob Gilmor, a high school dean who is also the Habitat for Humanity club’s faculty advisor. “His passion, creativity and hard work will take him very far as he sets sight on his future plans.”
Being accepted into the Long Island’s Best exhibit at the Heckscher Museum and winning a $250 scholarship award for his work and garnering more Best in Show Awards at the Long Island Media Arts Show than any of the Huntington High School AP Photography students while Mr. Blackburn was taking the Advanced Photo course are among the teenager’s highlights over the past four years.
“Meeting such a diverse and friendly community wherever I go in Huntington, being able to get so involved and travel, volunteer and build relationships so easily at Huntington High and traveling with Habitat to New Orleans during last year’s spring break are also among the highlights,” Mr. Blackburn said.
As his days as a high school student grow shorter, Mr. Blackburn has grown whimsical at times. “My overall Huntington High School experience has been fantastic,” he said. “Of course there were some bumps in the road, but it is safe to say I took advantage of what Huntington has to offer and enjoyed every minute of it. I will always remember the diverse and accepting community this place has been to me and so many others.”
