Kate Balm is enjoying a great experience at Huntington High School where the sophomore is immersed in interesting classes, clubs and sports and benefitting from nurturing and mentoring relationships with several faculty members.
“The courses that most interest me Honors Chemistry with Mr. [Thomas] Van Bell, Advanced Placement World History with Mr. [Peter] Crugnale, and Honors English with Ms. [Aimee] Antorino,” the teenager said. “I am looking forward to continue working with all of my teachers who are all doing a great job. The challenges that we have been facing this year with COVID-19 have made learning and teaching very difficult.”
Ms. Balm plays of the Blue Devil varsity tennis team and she plans on playing goalie for the Huntington girls’ lacrosse team. She is looking forward to the March-April season. She has several other extracurricular interests, including serving as an administrative assistant with Huntington’s Key Club chapter and participating in the high school’s Habitat for Humanity club.
The sophomore is a great student who values a good education. She’s already thinking ahead toward college and a potential career. In the meantime, Ms. Balm is excelling at Huntington High School. She was recently inducted into the English Honor Society.
“I am very lucky to be surrounded by a great group of friends, especially Nick Zahn, Grace Allen and Kieran Husselbeck,” the sophomore said. “They are always there for me when I need them. Mrs. [Lori] Kenny is one teacher who I have become close to and who has mentored me since I was a freshman. She always makes me feel welcome whenever I see her. She also makes me want to be the best student I can be.”
The teenager has really clicked with the high school’s faculty members and they enjoy working with her. “Mrs. Kenny and Mr. Crugnale are two of my teachers who have really made an impact on my high school experience,” Ms. Balm said. “They have both encouraged me to work hard and push myself to do the best I can.”
Ms. Balm’s advice to incoming Huntington freshmen? “Get involved in clubs and sports as early as you can and as much as you can,” she said. “Personally speaking, I have met so many amazing people one of which is Lily O’Heir, who was my doubles partner on the varsity tennis team my freshman year.”
The teenager is currently interested in Texas A&M and the University of Wisconsin and is considering studying forensic science. “However, I realize I have plenty of time to look at other schools and other careers,” Ms. Balm said.
Echoing her classmates, the teenager is looking forward to the day when the COVID-19 pandemic is but a bad memory and far in the distance of the rearview mirror Ms. Balm can’t wait for life to return to normal. In the meantime, she is enjoying high school as much as is possible.
“My experience at Huntington High School so far has been amazing,” Ms. Balm said. “I look forward to when we can get back to being all together in the classrooms again.”