John Panos could already easily pass right now as a businessman. If anyone has the “look” it’s the Huntington High School senior who has excelled in everything he has touched for the past four years. The teenager is headed to Northeastern University in Boston to begin the quest to accomplish his career goals.
“I chose Northeastern because it has exactly what I’m looking for in order to pursue my career as an entrepreneur,” Mr. Panos said. “Not only will I be able to receive a top business education, I’ll also be able to apply my knowledge in Boston through Northeastern’s co-op program. I intend to major in business administration with a specialized concentration in entrepreneurship and innovation.”
Huntington High School senior John Panos
Creative, organized, articulate and able to process and analyze large amounts of information in a short period of time, Mr. Panos is one of the leading members of Huntington’s Class of 2020.
“I’ll be studying in London during my first semester at Northeastern in order to grasp an understanding regarding international management before I return to the D’Amore-McKim School of Business in the spring,” Mr. Panos said.
The senior has excelled in Huntington High School’s Virtual Enterprise business program and he has led the mock trial team to many victories over Long Island opponents.
“I truly appreciate the opportunity Huntington has provided me throughout the years, especially during my junior and senior year, which granted me the opportunity to put myself through an all Advanced Placement curriculum,” Mr. Panos said. “Now that I have been able to immerse myself in a variety of different concepts, I am well ready for the rigors of college.”
Mr. Panos exhibits the poise of a polished pro. He works hard and “does his homework.” His preparation is the stuff legends are made of and it has repeatedly paid off in his classes and co-curricular pursuits.
“The most interesting course that I took at Huntington has definitely been Virtual Enterprise because it was truly a once in a lifetime experience,” Mr. Panos said. “For a first year firm, it was surreal to see how far our company went during last year’s competition. The experiences that I was able to gain, as well as the connections I was able to make from this class have provided me with so many opportunities I once could only have dreamed of.”
Mr. Panos’ VE company ranked 11th internationally last year, a point of pride for the teenager and he had been selected to serve as a judge for this year’s competition before the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world.
“My favorite activity by far has been mock trial because it wasn’t just a club, it was a family,” Mr. Panos said. “Out of all the activities I’ve participated in at Huntington, none of them shaped me to be the person I am today like mock trial did. Here, I was able to grow as a public speaker, litigator and leader and I truly believe that if our season wasn’t cut short this year, we would’ve very well have been the 2020 state champions. I’m so thankful that I was able to work with such a wonderful group of legal advisors, students and friends throughout this fantastic four year experience.”
The teenager’s advice for next September’s freshmen? “I would really urge incoming freshmen to try to diversify their schedule as much as possible throughout their academic career,” Mr. Panos said. “I came to Huntington thinking I wanted to be an astronomer and after one business management class, I knew that I was very wrong.”
Mr. Panos’ mentor throughout high school has been Huntington business teacher Paige Tyree-Furman. “She was the one that made me fall in love with business in the first place and has taught me almost everything I know from freshman year,” he said. “I am so grateful that I’ve been able to work with her throughout my high school career. Her endless support, as well as competitive nature, has allowed Mrs. Tyree and I to make Huntington proud on several occasions. I cannot thank her enough for allowing me to have such a fantastic opportunity.”
As he starts to prepare for college life, Mr. Panos is excited. But he will also miss Huntington High School, which has become like a second home to him.
“At Huntington, everyone has their own story and I really believe that single quality sets us apart from most schools,” Mr. Panos said. “Huntington has taught me to follow what I believe in, regardless of what others say and because of that, I’ve been able to do the thinkable in unthinkable ways. While of course I will miss the experiences I have had here, I am very excited to see what the future holds.”
