Nicole Arenth is a cheerful young women with an engaging personality and a great sense of humor. The Huntington High School senior is also one of the top members of the Class of 2018, with an enviable academic record and a long record of accomplishment with the Blue Devil track team. She’s headed to the University of California San Diego to study politics and law.
“Ever since I was young I’ve been interested in living in California,” Ms. Arenth said. “This dream turned into a reality when I began applying to college. When I visited San Diego for the first time, I not only fell in love with the school, but also the city. It offers a variety of things to do, from farmer’s markets to museums and zoos to the beach.”
Huntington High School senior Nicole Arenth.
The organization and structure of the college itself was a big draw for the Huntington senior. “The way UCSD is set-up each student picks an individual college within the school,” Ms. Arenth explained. “Each school offers a different general education, location on the campus and motto. This makes UCSD very much unique. Although it is a large school, the smaller colleges make the classes much more individualized. It gives the school a small liberal arts feel while still allowing it to be a Tier 1 research university, have world renowned professors and multitudes of other advantages.”
Ms. Arenth plans on majoring in political science and minoring in law and society. “UCSD also offers a variety of internships and opportunities to pre-law students that I hope to participate in,” she said. “Being in a larger city will also provide me with the ability to intern with politicians or lawyers in the area and truly get involved.”
The teenager considered the University of Rochester, Boston University, City University of New York’s Macaulay Honors College, UCLA and UC Berkeley before choosing the University of California San Diego.
Integrally involved in high school life
Ms. Arenth has been integrally involved in the high school community since her freshman year. She’s performed with the pit and chamber orchestras, played a role in the Relay For Life fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, served as president of the French Honor Society, co-president of the History Day club and secretary of the Social Studies Honor Society and been a member of the English, Math and Tri-M Music Honor Societies. She’s also been involved with A World of Difference, the anti-bias education group more commonly known by the acronym AWOD.
The senior is most closely identified with Huntington’s cross country and indoor and outdoor track programs. She has served as a captain during all three seasons and risen to be one of the best race-walkers in the nation. Ms. Arenth placed seventh at the New Balance Nationals Indoor, coming within one place and four seconds of All-American honors.
“Going to [UC] San Diego will also give me the chance to continue race-walking,” Ms. Arenth said. “I was given the opportunity to train with a group of elite athletes and Olympians. I’m hoping that this gives me the ability to continue to succeed and compete at higher levels.”
Ms. Arenth’s senior year academic schedule includes Advanced Placement Chemistry, AP Government and Politics, AP Calculus AB, AP Seminar, French V Honors, Honors Orchestra and a credit bearing career internship with social studies teacher Lauren Desiderio.
Interested in attending law school
“After college, I have my eyes set on going to law school,” Ms. Arenth said. “My ultimate goal is to work either as a human rights or civil rights attorney. Since I’m majoring in political science and also plan on minoring in law and society, I will be quite prepared for law school.
The senior’s favorites on the high school faculty involve Mrs. Desiderio and her department colleague Kenneth Donovan. “I’ve had the privilege to know Ms. Des all my four years of high school,” Ms. Arenth said. “Ironically, when I first met her we didn’t really hit it off, but she has grown to be my favorite teacher and someone I look up to. She has always been there to help me out and has helped me grow as a person and student. I’m so glad that I have been able to continue to work with her in my career internship. I have learned so much from her throughout the years.”
The teenager has also developed a wonderful relationship with Mr. Donovan. “I really enjoyed his AP US History and AP Government classes as he styled them similar to a college course and was able to interject modern day politics, something I enjoy thoroughly, into the curriculum. He is someone I give credit to for helping me find my love for politics as he pushed me to look into studying a social science. I’m grateful for all he has taught me and appreciate all the time and effort he has put into teaching his classes.”
Ms. Arenth has benefitted from her interactions and studies with many teachers. “Ms. [Stacey] Byrnes and Ms. [Dame] Forbes have also been teachers who have impacted me greatly, as in both of their classes, AP Physics and AP Chemistry, respectively, they pushed me to try my best and to not give up,” she said.
Many highlights in cross country and track
Many of the teenager’s highlights over the past four years center on the cross country and track teams. “I have met and been able to spend time with such a great group of people,” Ms. Arenth said. “I can confidently say that joining my freshman year was one of the best decisions I made. It has not only helped me grow as an athlete, but also as a person. I’m so thankful for the amazing group of coaches and teammates I have met and would not have succeeded without. I will always remember traveling to compete at New Balance Nationals Indoor and Penn Relays. It was such a fun opportunity to go and compete at these meets with my teammates, but it also was a great feeling of success and accomplishment to go.”
Academically, Ms. Arenth has been one of the best in Huntington’s Class of 2018. She has excelled across departments and disciplines. Along with her research team partners, she took first place in the National History Day Long Island regional finals and vied in last year’s State History Day competition in Cooperstown. “It is something that I won’t ever forget,” she said. “It felt amazing to have something my group and I work so hard for pay off.”
When Ms. Arenth steps off the stage on June 22 at Huntington High School’s annual commencement exercises she can do so with the confidence she has made every day of the last four years count.
“Huntington has provided me with endless opportunities, from amazing teachers, coaches, and friends to lasting memories that I’ll be forever grateful for,” Ms. Arenth said. “I can confidently say that without Huntington, I would not have grown into the person I am today.”
