Several Huntington High School graduates will be returning to their alma mater this Friday for the guidance department’s first ever Alumni Day program.
Alumni will kick-off their day at an 8:15 a.m. breakfast with school counselors in the high school college office. “Graduates will represent various colleges and majors, ranging from public to private schools,” said Kitty R. Klein, district director of guidance and testing. “We are excited to welcome back our alumni as they speak candidly regarding their transition into college, the majors they are pursuing, study abroad opportunities, co-curricular involvement and even employment.”
The Huntington grads will meet with current seniors in the School Heritage Museum (Room 140). Sessions will be held during third and fourth periods. Students scheduled for class during those times are required to get permission from their respective teachers to attend the program. Entire classes of seniors are invited to participate as a group. Permission slips are available in the guidance offices. The department has spent more than two months planning for the event.
Huntington alums can be found in every career field.
“Alumni Day is a new initiative,” Ms. Klein said. “Its purpose is for our current seniors to convene with graduates and hear about their college experiences. To be able to host such a program in an environment where the education and community foundation was laid, is extremely valuable and memorable.”
Huntington’s Class of 2018 consists of 345 students. The high school’s 157th commencement exercises will be held on Friday, June 22. Huntington has been graduating students since 1862 when six seniors earned diplomas.
“We all know that students identify with other students closest to their age and as such, they are more open to hearing about the do’s and don’ts of college, as opposed to what adults might share,” said Ms. Klein about the impetus behind this Friday’s Alumni Day. “As a result, what can be better than listening to the stories from those they may have passed through in the hallways, taken classes together or ate lunch with?”
School counselors are looking forward to the event. “Our hope is to increase student awareness prior to our next set of graduates entering post-secondary schools,” Ms. Klein said.
Alumni Day panelists include:
• Oscar Aguilar Cruz: A Class of 2016 member who is attending Clarkson University and majoring in civil engineering.
• Aaron Feltman: A Class of 2016 member who is attending Pennsylvania Academy of Fine arts and studying painting.
• Daniel Mollitor: A Class of 2016 member who is attending Binghamton University and double majoring in geological sciences and human development while carrying a minor in education.
• Kyle O’Brien: A Class of 2016 member who is attending SUNY Maritime College and majoring in marine transportation.
• Ally Arleo: A Class of 2017 member who is attending LaSalle University and majoring in social work and carrying a business administration minor.
• Manyara Cuadra: A Class of 2017 member who is attending SUNY Old Westbury.
• Katy Dara: A Class of 2017 member who is attending University at Albany and majoring in communications and journalism while carrying a minor in theatre arts.
• Ryann Gaffney: A Class of 2017 member who is attending Boston University and playing Division I lacrosse.
• Sarah James: A Class of 2017 member who is attending Fordham University and majoring in journalism.
• Jacob Strieb: A Class of 2017 member is attending Carnegie Mellon University and studying mathematics within an interdisciplinary model.
• Tania Ulloa: A Class of 2017 member who is attending CUNY-John Jay College of Criminal Justice and studying forensic psychology.