Sam Roberts can hold his own with any high school senior in the country. The Huntington teenager is really that impressive.
Mr. Roberts has compiled an academic record that would be the envy of just about anyone. But his talents and accomplishments go far beyond Huntington’s classrooms.
The senior’s current academic year schedule includes Advanced Placement Physics, AP Calculus AB, AP Micro/Macro Economics, AP Biology, Video II, Holocaust Literature and Science Research.
The teenager’s favorite faculty and staff members include teachers Kristen Fortunato, Keith Mattis and Lori Kenny and teacher aide Ilene Messina. Mr. Roberts has developed many worthwhile relationships with his teachers on every grade level and he’s earned the respect of his classmates. He’s a high achieving young man who doesn’t shy away from difficult courses or any academic challenge.
President of Huntington’s Science Honor Society chapter, Mr. Roberts’ closest friends include Terrel Cox, Thomas Peer, Lucas Arloff, Cameron Mills, Nina Danseglio and Alyssa Sorensen.
The senior intends to make his final year of high school a truly memorable one. “I plan on being really involved with Science Honor Society,” Mr. Roberts said. “I hope I can make it an enjoyable year filled with interesting events. I also plan on helping Mrs. Kenny with the science research program. Finally I plan on helping out student government.”
Mr. Roberts is currently reviewing and researching his college options. The senior is interested in Columbia University, Stony Brook University, Dartmouth College, New York University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He has career interests in scientific research involving medical and environmental issues and also in engineering.
This past summer, Mr. Roberts and classmate Sara Frawley interned at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. The opportunity in New York City came about through a different internship with the Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition.
“It was three days a week and we commuted by train to east Harlem,” said Mr. Roberts about his work at Mount Sinai. “Two of the three days we were in a lab conducting environmental research on the effects of Roundup on rat gene expression. The other day of the week we worked on finding ways to effectively spread information on pesticides use. We also sat in on Region 2 PESHU (Pediatrics Environmental Health Specialty Unit) meetings, which involved environmental advocates, scientists and doctors discussing medical cases that people couldn’t figure out or environmental issues.”
Outside of the lab, Mr. Roberts and Ms. Frawley worked with Dr. Sarah F. Evans, an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Medicine & Public Health. She’s a postdoctoral fellow in environmental pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Dr. Evans works closely with pediatricians, researchers and health educators to develop community targeted messaging. Her own research focuses on the effects of exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals such as bisphenol-A and phthalates on the brain and behavior.
Mr. Roberts has enjoyed a wonderful experience at Huntington High School. “It’s been a very positive one,” he said. “The teachers have been great and helped me find topics that I enjoy. Mrs. [Catherine] Croke is one of the nicest and most helpful people I have ever met and I’ve made some great connections with other students.”
