Kiara Rafailan is one of the most kind-hearted, good natured and all around nicest people to ever walk the halls of Huntington High School. That’s a big statement to make, but every word of it is true. The teenager is a scholar, too. She recently captured a full scholarship to attend St. John’s University, where she plans to study for a career as an elementary school teacher.
Ms. Rafailan is on the high school’s academic high honor roll. She’s earned varsity letters with the Blue Devil soccer and track and field teams and she’s been integrally involved in the after school club program.
Huntington senior Kiara Rafailan.
Intellectually sharp and with a wit and sense of humor that is second to none, Ms. Rafailan is surrounded by an exceptionally supportive family and a remarkably loyal circle of friends.
“At first I didn't know much about St. John’s University, but once I continued to research more about it, thanks to my cousin who’s an alumni from the university, I fell in love with it,” Ms. Rafailan said. “They had the major I wanted to study and the day I stepped foot into the school, I knew it was going to be my new home. Everyone there was so friendly and helpful with anything I needed help with and that’s what I was looking for in a school.”
The Huntington senior earlier considered Adelphi University, Hofstra University, Binghamton University and Nova Southeastern University in Florida before deciding to accept St. John’s offer of a full scholarship.
Ms. Rafailan has been accepted into St. John’s honors program. “I’m majoring in childhood education with a minor in biology and Spanish,” the teenager said. “I want to get involved in Relay For Life since they have that event at St. John’s. I would also like to become an ambassador because I get to have that connection with other students and the community.”
The teenager plans to study for a career as an elementary school teacher. “I know that I will succeed at St. John’s University thanks to the five year program they offered to me,” Ms. Rafailan said. She will graduate with dual bachelor and master degrees.
Since her first day of kindergarten at Washington Primary School, Ms. Rafailan has been smiling, energetic and anxious to please. Articulate, sweet, considerate and easy to like, she has won over every teacher she’s ever studied with along with all of her classmates.
“The things that I’ll remember most about Huntington High School are the people and the community I got to grow up in,” Ms. Rafailan said. “Everyone I encountered throughout my four years of high school taught me a lesson in one way or another and I can’t thank them enough because they’ve basically shaped who I am today. All of the extracurricular activities I’ve participated in have been so helpful in my everyday life because whatever I’ve learned I can practice in the real world now.”
