Olivia Conte and Nathali Ulloa gave their heart and soul to the Huntington High School Blue Devil marching band over the past four years and they will be missed as duo moves on to the college ranks. The two Class of 2022 members were recognized with New York State Field Band Conference Awards at the senior departmental awards ceremony.
Ms. Conte and Ms. Ulloa are both longtime members of the Blue Devil band. Well-liked by their fellow color guard members and musicians and the group’s professional staff, they were integral to the success achieved at competitions across the metropolitan area and in the state championships.
An Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor, Ms. Conte was a member of six different academic honor societies. She said the key to her overall success has been challenging herself academically and athletically throughout high school. She understands that success isn’t guaranteed and comes about only through hard work.
Ms. Conte has been on the high honor roll during every quarter of high school. Natural Helpers has probably been her favorite club and she’s very happy to have been a part of it, assisting classmates as they work to resolve personal issues.
A member of the Blue Devil marching band for the past five years, she has been the color guard unit’s captain as a junior and senior. Captain of Huntington’s track and field team, she is a county and state champion and All-American in the sport. She plans to attend the University of Connecticut and intends to pursue a degree related to the medical field.
Ms. Ulloa is equally gifted. “If you are looking for determination, endurance and consistent performance, look to Nathali,” said Bernadette Walsh, the high school’s college counselor. “She never steers away from a challenge; rather she consistently rises to the occasion with determination and pride.”
A native Spanish speaker, Ms. Ulloa not only mastered English, but she also progressed through Italian 5 Honors and served as president of Huntington’s Italian Honor Society chapter. She played a key role in the high school drama club’s stage crew and is expert at operating the elaborate lighting and sound systems.
“Nathali’s peer leadership skills are impeccable,” Mrs. Walsh said. “Her authentic nature and warm smile allows others to take comfort in her mentorship style. She leads by example, always taking the approach of patience and stability.”
Ms. Ulloa plans to study health sciences at SUNY College at Geneseo.
The $200 New York State Field Band Conference scholarships were presented by Huntington Blue Devil marching band director Brian Stellato.
