Huntington Town Board members honored Huntington High School seniors Connor Dougal and Hadley Clayton during a public meeting at Town Hall on Wednesday night. The dynamic teenagers were recognized for their outstanding scholarship, community service and athletic achievements.
Supervisor Chad Lupinacci spoke eloquently about the teenagers. Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky and District Director of Athletics Georgia D. McCarthy were on hand for the awards presentation.
Mr. Dougal is headed to the University of Connecticut where he is interested in studying history. Ms. Clayton will be attending Princeton University where she intends to study electrical engineering with a focus on photonics and optics.
Connor Dougal
“As a senior, Connor has excelled in many areas,” Mr. Lupinacci said. “Connor has always taken all aspects of school life seriously. He holds a 92 grade point average while taking all Advanced Placement and honors courses. He has received New York State Scholar Athlete status multiple times while competing for Huntington High School. According to his teachers, they consider him one of the finest young men in their classes and someone that will stick with something until it is accomplished.”
Mr. Dougal has been a two-sport athlete for the Blue Devils, fencing in the winter season and playing tennis in the spring. A team captain in both sports, he was All League and All County in fencing, competing in the Exceptional Senior Meet after five seasons on the varsity. The teenager compiled a 9-5 record in singles and doubles for the Blue Devil tennis team this spring.
“Connor is described by his coaches as a great team member and someone that is dedicated to his sport,” Mr. Lupinacci said. “He is an even tempered young man who is respected by his teammates and coaches.”
Passionate about all aspects of animal care, Mr. Dougal has worked as an assistant at Harborside Veterinary Hospital. He participated in the Teens on the Water initiative to raise monies to repair and preserve the historic Huntington Lighthouse.
“Connor traveled to Europe with his classmates and described his experiences ‘as a great way to appreciate your own culture along with learning other cultures.’” Mr. Lupinacci said. “He was recently recognized as a Distinguished Senior at a dinner at Huntington High School.”
Hadley Clayton
Valedictorian of Huntington High School’s Class of 2019, Hadley Clayton has been a standout scholar and athlete and a very popular young woman around the building and district.
“Hadley holds a 106.5 grade point average,” Mr. Lupinacci said. “She has continually challenged herself with a strong course selection of Advanced Placement and honors courses.”
A member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Science Honor Society, Tri-M Honor Society and English Honor Society. Ms. Clayton also performs in the high school’s chamber orchestra.
A YMCA swimming and lifeguard instructor, Ms. Clayton is also in the teacher training program for Shindokan Buddo of Long Island. “Hadley completed internship programs at the Brookhaven National Lab and BAE Systems working in electrical engineering; a field that she is passionate about and plans on pursuing,” Mr. Lupinacci said. “Huntington has honored her as a Distinguished Senior.”
Ms. Clayton has captained the Blue Devil cross country, winter track and spring track teams. She recently finished third in a field of 17 in the Suffolk Division II 2000m steeplechase, which required her to successfully clear various types of jumps and water hazards. She has repeatedly earned New York State Scholar-Athlete Award honors and helped all of her teams reach the post-season. She’s garnered All-League, All-Division and Academic All-League recognition in multiple sports.
“Hadley’s teachers have always been impressed with her work ethic and they find her devotion to her studies, athletics and community work to be uplifting,” Mr. Lupinacci said. “Hadley will be missed as a student and as an athlete.”
