Graham Young is walking around on Cloud Nine. The Huntington High School senior has been accepted as an early decision candidate by Villanova University’s School of Business.
On his first day of kindergarten at Jefferson Primary School, Mr. Graham never could have dreamed of everything that awaited him in the years ahead. He has compiled a remarkable record in and out of the classroom, excelling in his academic studies, participating in clubs and assorted activities and traveling to Yellowstone National Park in Montana and Wyoming to work and learn alongside scientists, outdoor educators and artists.
Huntington High School senior Graham Young.
Mr. Young’s current academic schedule includes classes in Advanced Placement Calculus BS, AP Statistics, AP Micro/Macro Economics, Financial Algebra, Bible Literature and Virtual Enterprise, a new business course.
Captain of the Blue Devil cross country team, Mr. Young is also a member of Huntington’s Mathletes and Quiz Bowl academic teams. Treasurer of the Social Studies Honor Society, he’s also been inducted into the National Honor Society as well as the Math, Science and Tri-M Music Honor Societies.
Mr. Young volunteers with Pink Aid, a charity devoted to the needs of breast cancer survivors and research into defeating the dreaded disease. A talented musician, he plays baritone saxophone in the symphonic band and the jazz and wind ensembles.
The teenager’s favorite teachers have been Lynn Hendricks, Kenneth Donovan, Paige Tyree Furman and Suzi Biagi.
Mr. Young’s closest friends include David Mosden, Michael McCooey, Dan Thompson and Matt Quinn.
Last September, Mr. Young traveled to Yellowstone National Park in Montana and Wyoming (the park area is in both states) through Avalon Park and Preserve’s Western Exploration for Young Environmental Stewards program.
Mr. Young and his counterparts “worked and learned alongside scientists, outdoor educators and artists studying the geology, flora and fauna of this unique landscape,” according to a program description. The group spent six nights in the park. Highlights included visiting Old Faithful, the Yellowstone Grand Canyon and seeing some of the resident wolves, bears, bison and big horn sheep that call the national park their home.
Chief financial officer of one of Huntington’s new Virtual Enterprise classes, Mr. Young is thriving as he pursues his goals. “I was just accepted early decision to Villanova University’s School of Business,” he said. “I am planning to double major in finance and data analytics. I’m looking into becoming a financial analyst.”
With six months remaining in his time as a high school student, Mr. Young is increasingly looking toward the future, including college and what he hopes will be an exciting and satisfying career.
“I’ve had a great experience at Huntington High School,” Mr. Young said. “Not only was I able to develop a course of study in business and finance through the business and mathematics departments, I was also able to soak up everything that Huntington has to offer in terms of music, athletics and clubs.”
Mrs. Furman will be sorry to see Mr. Young graduate. “Graham is a dream student,” she said. “He has a genuine love of learning; he’s smart and he’s incredibly industrious. If you ask anyone in our Virtual Enterprise class, they’d agree that Graham is a big secret to our firm’s success. He was actually just nominated by his peers as our Employee of the Month. But he’d never tell you that; he’s humble and modest and grounded in the best way possible. We are so lucky to have him and Villanova will be too!”
