Four graduating seniors who have covered themselves in glory the past four years are this year’s recipients of Huntington High School’s alumni cups and scholarships.
Libardo Ramos of People’s United Bank, which funded the two $1,000 scholarships said that this year’s award winners “have shown academic promise, great character and service to others. They are also children of Huntington High School alumni.”
Claiming the scholarships were Megan Byrnes and Keenan Lyons. Ms. Byrnes plans to study nursing at LIU Post while Mr. Lyons is headed to the University of Miami to study musical theatre and broadcast journalism on a presidential scholarship.
A wonderful young woman who always gives her all to everything she undertakes, Ms. Byrnes wore the Blue Devil uniform with pride while excelling for Huntington’s field hockey, basketball and softball teams. An incredible competitor, teammate and sportswoman, she won’t be soon forgotten.
A gifted actor and vocalist, Mr. Lyons has starred in dramatic productions and musicals for many years. He possesses enormous talent that has earned him recognition across the metropolitan area and state. His volunteer service, including with the Huntington Interfaith Housing Initiative is inspiring.
A pair of coveted alumni cups were also presented during the senior academic awards ceremony by Huntington High School Principal Brenden Cusack.
“This presentation is annually held to the end of the awards ceremony because these alumni cups are held in such high esteem,” Mr. Cusack said. “The alumni cups are a time honored tradition at Huntington High School because they symbolize two students who represent our school in the most positive light possible. The alumni cup recipients are often involved in many parts of school life, including the arts, athletics and service to others. They are excellent students and role models for our school community and beyond.”
This year’s alumni cups went to Daniela Ramos Campos and Julien Rentsch. Ms. Ramos Campos intends to study political science at SUNY College at Old Westbury. President of Huntington’s Class of 2020, she participated in United Amigos and the women’s empowerment club, wrote stories for The Dispatch, the high school’s student newspaper and was a Natural Helper, assisting classmates with challenging situations. She even played softball for the Blue Devils.
An Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction and the salutatorian of the Class of 2020, Mr. Rentsch plans to study music composition at Northwestern University. He ultimately hopes to write music for movies and other types of media. The teenager starred on the Blue Devil soccer team as a defensive specialist.
Vice-president of the school-wide student government, president of the high school orchestra, treasurer of the French Honor Society and corresponding secretary of the National History Day club, Mr. Rentsch sets aside time each day to compose music and play the piano. He plays basketball at his church and has pursued a variety of community service projects.
“Daniela and Julien truly deserving of this prestigious award and they are both incredibly nice and genuine people,” Mr. Cusack said. “It is clear that they will be representing Huntington in fine fashion for many, many years to come.”
