Alexandra Gerbavsits and Julien Rentsch are two of the stars of Huntington High School’s Class of 2020, shining brightly in the classroom and athletically, in the arts and socially. They have captured the respect and affection of their teachers, coaches and classmates.
The teenagers’ superb academic performance, impressive character, outstanding citizenship and exceptional abilities were formally recognized by the Suffolk Zone of the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance during a dinner at Villa Lombardi’s in Holbrook this past Tuesday night.
Huntington Director of Athletics Georgia McCarthy with Suffolk Zone Award recipients Alexandra Gerbavsits and Julien Rentsch
Superintendent James W. Polansky and District Director of Physical Education Georgia D. McCarthy attended the dinner along with Ms. Gerbavsits and Mr. Rentsch and their family members.
“We are so proud of Alex and Julien for receiving this wonderful award and for their excellent performance over the past four years,” Mrs. McCarthy said.
The Suffolk Zone annually honors one senior male and female student from each high school in the county. The award recognizes outstanding performance in physical education over the course of high school.
“Alex and Julien have thrived academically and on the athletic field, but also in terms of the positive influence they have had on their peers and the school community in general,” Mr. Polansky said. “Others look up to them for all the right reasons. To say their futures are bright is an understatement!”
Captain of Huntington’s girls’ soccer and softball teams, Ms. Gerbavsits volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and the Key Club. President of the Blue Devil Varsity Club, the teenager is a member of the National Honor Society and Italian Honor Society.
“Physical education has always been something I look forward to during the day,” Ms. Gerbavsits said. “It allows me to release my stress that builds up during the week. The connections and friends that I have created during PE class have been very important to me.”
Ms. Gerbavsits is considering James Madison University, University of Delaware, Seton Hall, Sacred Heart, Monmouth and the University of Central Florida. She plans to study nursing.
“I am extremely honored and proud to have been chosen for the Suffolk Zone Award,” Ms. Gerbavsits said. “I would like to thank Mrs. McCarthy and the physical education teachers for nominating me. All of them have been influential with me throughout high school.”
Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky with Suffolk Zone Award recipients Alexandra Gerbavsits and Julien Rentsch
Captain of the Blue Devil varsity boys’ soccer team, vice president of both Huntington’s Class of 2020 and the Tri-M Music Honor Society, president of the high school orchestra and secretary of the National History Day club, Mr. Rentsch is a member of seven different academic honor societies. He volunteers with the Key Club and is also a Natural Helper, assisting classmates as they work through personal issues.
“My favorite aspect of physical education has been the opportunity to interact with students who I normally wouldn’t have other classes with,” Mr. Rentsch said. “I enjoy the common goal of completing a workout with my peers, while having fun in the process.”
An exceptionally gifted musician and composer, Mr. Rentsch is considering Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins, Carnegie Mellon, Yale and Boston University. He plans to study music composition.
To be eligible for the Suffolk Zone Award students must have earned at least a 90 average in physical education class and a minimum 3.0 overall grade point average in all classes prior to the senior year, demonstrate outstanding character, show leadership skills in both physical education class and general school-wide activities and serve as a role model for other students.
