In a world turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic, Angelica Hernandez is still excited to be a Huntington High School senior. She’s looking forward to a great year filled with interesting classes, an internship with a special education teachers and clubs and other activities.
“I’m excited about Advanced Placement Psychology, AP Research and AP Italian,” Ms. Hernandez said. “I’m excited to have AP Italian with Mrs. [Natalia] Kopshti. I had her in tenth grade Italian Honors and she’s always helped me and pushed me to do the best I can and taking her AP class will be challenge, but with her help I’m 100 percent sure that I’ll do good.”
The teenager said the class she is most excited about is her credit bearing career internship with special education teacher Dr. Erica Murphy-Jessen. “Last year I would try and come in on free periods to hang out with the class and I’m excited to have a whole period with them,” Ms. Hernandez said.
The enthusiastic senior is planning to continue participating in the high school’s Grandfriends and A World of Difference clubs. “I’ve been co-president for three years now and the opportunities that Ms. [Suzie] Biagi has given me are amazing,” said Ms. Hernandez about the clubs’ faculty advisor. “She was a big help in finding a career path. A World of Difference is actually the club that made me have the moment of realization that I wanted to become an elementary school special education teacher.”
Ms. Hernandez said she’s also “excited” to resume working with the high school’s Natural Helpers program. “I was chosen back in tenth grade and so far it’s been wonderful memories with Mr. [Robert] Gilmor,” she said. “He’s also played a huge role in my high school career. Always having his door open anytime has allowed me to learn to be a better person overall.”
The teenager is currently considering Pace University in Manhattan, St. John’s University and Syracuse University. “I want to become an elementary school special education teacher in the future and all of these schools have well known programs,” Ms. Hernandez said.