Unlike most seniors, Gretel Cassell has known where she will attend college for some time. The Huntington High School senior gave Binghamton University a verbal commitment last year after the upstate New York school recruited the teenager to play on its NCAA Division I women’s lacrosse team.
With her college choice all set, Ms. Cassell is settling in for what she hopes is an outstanding and enjoyable senior year. The teenager has plans covering classes, clubs and sports and she looks to have fun during every minute she has left in Huntington.
“I’m super excited for senior year so far,” Ms. Cassell said. “I’m planning to keep my grades as high as I can so that I can remain in the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. I am also planning on returning to Key Club for my final year.”
Ms. Cassell enjoyed her time away from the high school during July and August. “During the summer, I was thankful for the relaxation time that I had,” she said. “I worked mostly everyday as a lifeguard, but I also finished up my travel lacrosse career after nine years. I got a few days to go on vacation and get ready for my senior year.”
The teenager said she has been looking forward to taking Bible Literature this year. “It has been super interesting and Mrs. [Kelly] Krycinski has been nothing but amazing,” said Ms. Cassell about the course and one of the high school’s veteran English teachers. “I have heard such good things about the course and our teacher. I am also very excited about forensics to be able to learn about science in a different way with its connections to crimes. My sister had Mrs. [Anna] Fabela and she certainly hyped me up for her class.”
Deciding that Binghamton University was a good fit has taken a great deal of pressure off of Ms. Cassell.
“I’m still very happy and thrilled with my decision to verbally commit to Binghamton for women’s lacrosse,” the senior said. “I still want to major in political science and pursue my interests in law. I am intending on visiting Binghamton this fall for my official trip before I sign my letter of intent. It is one of my greatest accomplishments that I have worked for. Binghamton was just ranked No. 33 in public universities in the nation, which makes me feel even more proud of how hard I had worked for the opportunity to attend that school and play for them.”