Huntington High School Class of 2016 member Katie Reilly is one of eight finalists for Princeton University's Art Lane '34 Award, which is presented annually to an undergraduate student-athlete in recognition of "selfless contribution to sport and society."
A three sport star for the Blue Devils during her high school years, Ms. Reilly is the Princeton women’s lacrosse team co-captain this spring. Unfortunately, the season was interrupted and eventually cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Katie Reilly as a Huntington High School senior.
The Art Lane ‘34 Award will be presented at the Gary Walters ‘67 Princeton Varsity Club Awards Banquet on Thursday night. The annual Princeton tradition will be modified this year, held virtually starting at 8 p.m. Ms. Reilly is one of the hosts for the event.
A senior who is majoring in politics, Ms. Reilly was tied for the team lead in assists at the time of the season’s cancellation. “Yet, Reilly's greatest contributions to her team may have come in the form of her infectious energy, leadership and commitment to serve others, including implementing a ‘positive shout-out session to culminate each practice,” according to award profile.
“I am shocked and totally honored to be a finalist for the Art Lane ‘34 Award,” Ms. Reilly said. “Being at Princeton has been one of the most challenging, yet rewarding experiences I’ve ever endured. It has made me grow physically and mentally and luckily enough I got to be on the lacrosse team with 30 amazing women who also helped me grow, just generally as a person. As my undergraduate time comes to a close, I look back to the experiences that have molded me into who I am today and I just feel so lucky to have had such a supportive community to rely on and share those experiences with. I am especially grateful that I got to begin my lacrosse career in a Huntington jersey and even more grateful and proud to have ended my career with Princeton written across my chest.”
Ms. Reilly captained the Huntington soccer, basketball and lacrosse teams and won All-County honors in each sport. The teenager held elected office with the high school student government, was the sports editor for the yearbook, helped spur the collection of hundreds of non-perishable food items at one of the primary school buildings that were later distributed to pantries throughout the town, assisted with homework and tutored poverty stricken and underprivileged children at a community youth center, assisted with a Special Olympics floor hockey program and participated in a variety of events with Young Leaders, a youth development organization.
As a Huntington senior, Ms. Reilly participated in a credit bearing internship with Huntington High School Spanish teacher Elizabeth Casazza. “Team first; that’s Katie Reilly,” said Huntington Booster Club President Timothy Pillion when he presented Ms. Reilly with a scholarship shortly before her high school graduation. “She would rather assist on the goal than score it herself. Diligent, kind, motivating and inspiring are all words that describe this amazing young woman who has made all of us proud. Sensitive to those around her, she has remarkable energy and a real desire to make the world a better place.”
While studying at Princeton, Ms. Reilly interned with Harlem Lacrosse, an organization that strives to empower academically at-risk children through mentorship and lacrosse. The Huntington alum’s role involved on-field coaching, individual academic tutoring and mentoring and assisting in the administration of organizational resources.
For many years the Huntington grad worked in the summer Project Play state funded camp program for youngsters from financially disadvantaged families where Ms. Reilly supported participating children with academics, athletics and life skills.
While at Princeton, Ms. Reilly has engaged in community work with the women’s lacrosse team, including clinics with middle school students at PS 76 in New York City and a summer evening youth lacrosse clinic in Huntington.
Last summer, Ms. Reilly interned in the office of Supervisor Chad Lupinacci in Huntington Town Hall.
