Amber Stieve likes to have fun. It’s impossible to be around the Huntington High School senior without having a good time. But the teenager has a serious side, too, and she has notched spectacular achievements over the past four years.
Ms. Stieve possesses a contagious smile and laugh. She draws in friends like a magnet. She’s a good heartened soul, but put her on an athletic field or in any other type of similar forum and she becomes one of the most competitive teenagers you’ve ever seen.
Huntington High School senior Amber Stieve.
A three-sport athlete for the Blue Devils, Ms. Stieve is headed to Old Dominion University in Virginia where she has been recruited to play on the college’s NCAA Division I lacrosse team.
Ms. Stieve has won varsity letters with Huntington’s soccer, lacrosse and winter track teams and she has contributed to the success of each of those squads. She’s always given her coaches everything she had on any given day.
The senior talks in terms of “we” and “us” rather than “me” or “I.” She usually deflects credit away from herself and toward her teammates. It’s a quality that hasn’t gone unnoticed and has endeared her to classmates, teammates and friends.
Ms. Stieve would rather be known as a loyal friend than to have any award or honor affixed to her name. She plays for the love of the game and the competitive high she gets from being tested against others. But at the end of the day, she values her family, friends and teammates more than any trophy or medal.
“Amber has been my best friend for as long as I can remember,” senior Nicole Abbondandelo said. “She’s always there for me when I need it, no questions asked. I know she’s going to do great things in college.”
Recruited by Old Dominion to play as a midfielder/defender, Ms. Stieve plans to study at the college for a career as a physical therapist. She’s been active in the high school’s Natural Helpers program and in the Young Leaders youth development organization.
“I’ve known Amber for as long as I can remember,” senior Sarah Agrillo said. “She has been nothing but an amazing friend. I can count on her for anything. Amber is the kind of person that truly cares about people. I’m lucky to have her as a best friend.”
Ms. Stieve has one of those smiles that stands out in a crowd. It’s the type that makes a person feel good, regardless of the whether they happen to be having a good or bad day.
“Amber is a great friend that I am lucky to have,” senior Bella Annunziata said. “She is so smart and talented on and off the field. I can’t wait to see her succeed at the next level.”
Honored earlier this spring as a Distinguished Senior after compiling an academic grade average of 90 or higher during every semester of high school, Ms. Stieve is one of the top students in Huntington’s Class of 2018.
“I’ll always remember Huntington’s family feel,” Ms. Stieve said. “Being able to feel safe in a place and having great friends; having the security guards, teachers and other staff members interact with you to make it feel like home. I will never forget the passion that the teachers and staff have for each kid to make them achieve their goals and be better people. Huntington will always be my home and I will never forget that.”
