Danny Arias has the smile and laugh of someone possessing a healthy degree of self-confidence. While the Huntington High School senior has a fun-loving sense of humor, he also has a serious side and knows how to work hard. The teenager’s excellent academic record has propelled him to Colgate University, one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
“I chose Colgate because the first time that I set foot on the campus, I felt a vibe and it just showed me that this is where I want to be.” Mr. Arias said.
Huntington High School senior Danny Arias.
Mr. Arias considered Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota and the University of Virginia, but in the end, Colgate University was the place where the Huntington senior wanted to spend the next four years pursuing a bachelor’s degree.
“When I’m at Colgate, I want to study either psychology or business and I am hoping to join a few clubs” Mr. Arias said. “On my visit there, I learned about a campus radio station that I can be a host with and that’s something I’m looking forward to doing.”
Honored as a Distinguished Senior earlier this spring, the teenager has excelled at his studies. In his free time he enjoys playing sports and “hanging out” with his friends.
The senior said the key to his success has been “motivation and commitment to doing well academically,” which he dedicates to his mom’s memory.
Mr. Arias was crowned Huntington’s Homecoming Day king last fall. He is well-liked by his classmates and respected by the high school’s faculty.
“My career goal is to just be successful,” Mr. Arias said. He is well-prepared for college after completing a challenging set of high school courses, including many Advanced Placement classes. The teenager is on Huntington’s High Honor Roll.
Asked to name an all-time favorite teacher and Mr. Arias struggles to answer. “This question is tricky since I have so many favorite teachers that I can’t even single out one from Mrs. [Kelly] Krycinski, Mrs. [Stacey] Byrnes, Mrs. [Lynn] Hendricks and Mrs. [Suzi] Biagi to Mrs. [Lorena] Hickey to Mr. [Kenneth] Donovan,” he said. “These are some of the amazing faculty members who have helped me when I was in times of trouble and I will never forget Mr. [Robert] Gilmor.”
Mr. Arias will graduate in three weeks as one of the top members of the Class of 2019. He will begin classes at Colgate in late August and there’s little doubt he will find success there.
“The one thing that I will remember about Huntington is all the supporting faculty and staff that’s helped me when I was facing times of adversity and I am so thankful for that,” Mr. Arias said.
