Alexa Rind is articulate and knowledgeable while participating in a conversation about the pressing public policy issues dominating the news. The Huntington High School senior likes to stay informed and share her opinions and she hopes to one day influence events for the better. The teenager plans to study political science at the University of Michigan.
“Michigan’s been my dream school for as long as I can remember,” Ms. Rind said. “Both of my parents went there so I grew up rooting for the teams and always wanting to go to college there. When making my decision, I realized Michigan was the perfect blend of everything I was looking for. They have amazing academics and are a highly ranked school. They have great programs regarding internships and research and the size and social scene seemed like a perfect fit. Ann Arbor is such a vibrant city and I wanted a school with a lot of school spirit. Michigan is certainly the place for that with all of their sporting events, tailgates, etc. The campus is also so beautiful.”
Huntington High School senior Alexa Rind is headed to the University of Michigan.
The teenager said she plans to study political science at Michigan. “I’m not sure exactly what I want my career to be yet, but I know I want to work somewhere that helps people and I believe politics is a powerful way to do that,” Ms. Rind said.
The senior has enjoyed a very well rounded experience over the past four years, expanding her horizons in and out of the classroom.
“I believe that Huntington has definitely prepared me well for college,” Ms. Rind said. “I’ve sought out challenging classes and participated in many extracurriculars and I hope this will prepare me for the rigor of college life and academics. Huntington has also taught me the importance of forming relationships with teachers and asking for help when you need it and I will carry this with me to Michigan.”
Ms. Rind said she plans on getting involved in as much as she can at Michigan. “I’m going to join lots of clubs and student organizations related to my major and interests and I hope to keep dancing in some capacity,” she said. “I’m going to go to all of the sports games and major events on campus. I hope to get a job, too. I plan on studying abroad and doing research and internships while I’m there as well.”
After completing several dozen academic courses, Ms. Rind finds a few classes to be essential for any Huntington student and she encourages underclassmen to consider taking them.
“I feel that every Huntington High School student should take a government class before they graduate, whether that be Advanced Placement Government and Politics or Participation in Government,” Ms. Rind said. “It can be difficult as a teenager to understand current events and the political climate and to decipher what’s real and fake. Taking a government class can help you understand the way our country is set up, as well as its successes and failures. When students turn 18 and will have the opportunity to vote, it’s important they know how to properly navigate the political climate and how to form opinions on the state of politics.”
Ms. Rind has taken the time to get to know her teachers and several faculty members have played key roles in the teenager’s high school experience.
“Some teachers that have had an especially big impact on me and who I’ll always remember are Mrs. [Amanda] Scott, Mr. [Joseph] Cohen, and Mr. [Michael] Graziano,” Ms. Rind said. “These teachers went above and beyond and it was always evident they cared about their students, not just in the classroom but outside of the classroom as well. They showed me that any subject can be made fun with the right approach. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention Mr.[Robert] Gilmor, who’s shown me and every student the importance of kindness. His positive and caring nature never fails to brighten up my day and will definitely be something I’ll miss next year.”
While Ms. Rind is very excited to be heading off to the University of Michigan, a little piece of her heart will always be reserved for Huntington High School and her hometown.
“As I prepare to graduate and I look back on my years at Huntington High School, I’d tell the community that what they should understand about Huntington High School is that each student is truly unique,” Mr. Rind said. “It’s important to realize that not everyone will be good at everything and that sometimes school can be really challenging. It’s essential to listen to the students. Huntington is filled with so many smart, driven people and their voices should be heard. Their opinions are valuable and what they have to say should always be a part of the way Huntington High School is run. I’d also tell the Huntington community ‘thank you.’ I know I am extremely lucky to have been a Huntington High School student for the last four years. High school really is what you make of it, so get involved and enjoy every experience before it’s too late.”
