Baylie Larsen is still a teenager, but in her relatively short time on this Earth she has already accomplished an awful lot, including becoming a role model for youth in general. The Huntington High School Class of 2020 member is this year’s recipient of the Friends of Huntington Station Latin Quarter’s annual $500 scholarship award.
An Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor, Ms. Larsen was a member of Huntington’s National Honor Society as well as its Art Honor Society, Math Honor Society, English Honor Society, Social Studies Honor Society, Science Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society.
Tutoring coordinator and historian of the National Honor Society and an active member and volunteer with the high school’s Habitat for Humanity and Key Club chapters, Ms. Larsen has made every minute count.
The teenager cites time management and determination as the key to her success. While Ms. Larsen has always been a busy person, she has strived to put school first and all of that hard work has paid off.
Ms. Larsen originally planned on attending Marist College, but when Boston College offered her admission, she jumped at the opportunity. She intends to major in biology in preparation for a career as a physician assistant.
“Boston College has been one of my dream schools for years and when I got off of the wait-list, I was ecstatic,” Ms. Larsen said. “It was a difficult decision, but I decided to take the amazing opportunity and commit to BC. I am excited to be a part of such a prestigious and challenging Jesuit school and I cannot wait to get involved in different activities and organizations.”
Named a Distinguished Senior in recognition of her outstanding academic record, Ms. Larsen was a member of the Huntington Highsteppers competitive dance team. She excelled in the high school’s fashion design and illustration program and especially enjoyed classes in Advanced Placement Biology and Calculus.
“It is an honor to receive the Friends of Huntington Station Latin Quarter scholarship because helping the Latino community has been a significant part of my life in high school,” Ms. Larsen said. “The scholarship is important to me because not only will it help me with college, but in the future. I hope to be able to give back to my community and the Latino community throughout and after college and this scholarship has helped me to be able to do so.”
Friends of Huntington Station Latin Quarter has been making a difference in the community for many years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our mission is to provide a community of positive role models, pride in education, safety on our streets and unity between neighborhoods,” according to the organization’s website. “The overall community morale has taken a severe blow and the cultural differences have been negatively amplified. A solution to these stigmas lies in the efforts of community leaders and role models that can distinguish the perceived problems from true community issues. HSLQ has adopted the phrase ‘It’s Up to Us’ as the organization’s members believe that empowering, protecting and preserving community values is a vital step in the revitalization of Huntington Station.”
