Shyann Maragh has done everything right the past four years. She’s studied hard, been an active participate in several extracurricular clubs, developed close relationships with her teachers and excelled in many of Huntington High School’s most challenging courses. The senior is perfectly situated to achieve great things at the University of Pittsburgh in the fall.
“I’ve only heard good things about Pitt and everyone who goes there loves it,” Ms. Maragh said. “A big pull for me were the strong science programs and the ability to experiment and really customize your degree. I’ve always wanted to go to a big school and I think Pitt has the perfect atmosphere for me socially and academically. Although I didn’t get the chance to visit because of the pandemic, I’m extremely excited. I’ve always been fascinated with the human body and healthcare, but I have a lot of other interests that I’m excited to explore in college.”
Huntington senior Shyann Maragh is headed to the University of Pittsburgh in the fall.
The Huntington senior will be on a pre-health track. She plans to major in biology and environmental science with a possible minor in criminal justice.
“I think I’m prepared well for college because of the variety of subjects I’ve taken throughout high school as well as challenging myself with honors and Advanced Placement courses over the years,” Ms. Maragh said.
Among the teenager’s favorite courses were classes in Global History as a freshman and AP World History as sophomore, both with social studies teacher Lauren Desiderio. “I love world history and Mrs. Des found a way to make it interesting and fun,” Ms. Maragh said. “I also liked Criminal Justice with Mr. [Erik] Bruckbauer. I learned a lot and it was a fun elective to take senior year. All of my art classes throughout the years with Mrs. [Kristin] Singer and Mrs. [Ayallah] Jeddah were always such a nice relaxing break in my day with my hectic schedule. AP Seminar with Mrs. [Dianna] Cazzalino really improved my public speaking and ability to write research papers.”
Ms. Maragh has enjoyed a well-balanced high school experience, mixing studying and clubs with social activities with her friends. She is very well-liked among the members of Huntington’s Class of 2020 and she fits in perfectly with her classmates.
“The beginning of the school year is always my favorite time of year,” Ms. Maragh said. “Spirit Week, homecoming, float night, pep rallies, football games, etc. were always my favorite activities. In general, I just love any school spirit event that brings everyone together. I’ve also enjoyed my involvement in my clubs such as Key Club and the environmental club.”
Ms. Maragh’s advice to incoming freshmen? “Working hard will pay off in the end in terms of college credit and creating a good work ethic,” she said. “I would also say to get involved and try new things! You’ll make a lot of different friends and maybe discover a new talent or hobby.”
The senior has captured the respect of the high school’s faculty and she has developed many fruitful relationships with her teachers. Those relationships have paid dividends in many different ways.
“I had Mrs. [Deborah] Beck for Advanced Placement Biology in my junior year and she is one of my favorite teachers,” Ms. Maragh said. “At that point I knew I wanted to major in biology so I enjoyed the content. Mrs. Beck is always a friendly face who has been there to help me with bio or anything else. I also had Mrs. Cazzalino junior year for AP Seminar and she really pushed me and helped with improving my skills in the class. This year, Mrs. Cazzalino also helped me to come up with an idea for my college essay and edited it through the process. I’m also extremely grateful for all the help and support from Mrs. [Bernadette] Walsh, Mrs. I’m extremely grateful for all of the help and support from Mrs. Walsh, Mrs. [Linda] Catalano, Mrs. [Lauren] Brunoni and every other teacher I’ve had over the years.”
Founded on the edge of the American frontier in 1787 as the Pittsburgh Academy, the University of Pittsburgh is one of the top research universities in the country. It enrolls about 19,200 undergraduates and another 9,200 graduate students on its urban campus. Its athletic teams compete in NCAA Division I.
Ms. Maragh is excited about what awaits her at the University of Pittsburgh and beyond. One thing is certain, she will never forget Huntington High School or all the people who helped her grow and get to this point in her life.
“I think Huntington’s diversity and sense of community are what make it special,” Ms. Maragh said. “I’m definitely going to miss my friends and all of the staff and teachers at Huntington.”
