Kailey Rappel is having the time of her life, even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nothing can stop the Huntington High School junior or keep her down. She plans to make this a year worth remembering and she’s well on her way to doing just that.
Ms. Rappel finds something to get excited about each day. She looks forward to coming to school and interacting with her classmates, teachers and friends and intends to continue savoring those experiences during the coming months.
“I’ve been looking forward to taking Virtual Enterprise this year,” Ms. Rappel said. “I’m super excited to work with my peers and create a company that I’m really passionate about it. With that I’m really excited to work with Mrs. [Paige] Furman, since I had her in ninth grade and absolutely loved her.”
Ms. Rappel plans to keep busy with her classes and extracurricular activities, opting to get as much as she can out of her junior year even with the worldwide health crisis impacting every aspect of school life.
The teenager plays on a elite Long Island soccer academy team. “I’m super involved with the team,” Ms. Rappel said. “I’ve been playing soccer since I was little and fell in love with the game. We have showcases around the country from Florida to Colorado and California. We practice four times a week and play weekend games. It’s a high level of play and go up against elite competition.”
Ms. Rappel said she has been looking forward to participating in the high school’s Habitat for Humanity club chapter. “Although it is virtual this year, I am still excited to see what it is all about,” she said.
Ms. Rappel counts Molly Fallon, Carleigh Tracy, Grace Agrillo, Eliza Walther and Regan Sansivero as being among her closest friends.
“Kailey is one of my best friends,” Ms. Agrillo said. “She is the funniest person I know and if you know her she will always put a smile on your face! She will always come up to you and give you the best compliments that make your day. Kailey always has your back and cheers you up right away. She is full of energy and loves doing crazy and fun things.”
Relationships are important to Ms. Rappel and she generously gives as much to her friends as she takes away from them. Ask her and she will tell you that friends make her life special.
“Kailey is one of my best friends because she is fun to be around and is always positive and trustworthy,” Ms. Walther said. “She is determined and can accomplish anything she puts her mind to. Whenever I spend time with her I know I will have a smile on my face. I have no doubt that Kailey will do great things and I am lucky to call her my friend.”
Ms. Rappel has been sorting through some future possibilities and mapping out her plans. “At the moment, I am interested in the University of Delaware and studying to become a physical therapist,” she said. “I also am hoping to continue playing soccer.”
The teenager is thoroughly enjoying high school and everything that goes with it. Ms. Rappel packs a lot into each day and she gives her classes, clubs, teammates and friends her all.
“I love Huntington and am so grateful it gave me the opportunity to meet so many different people and learn from a variety of different teachers,” Ms. Rappel said.