As her incredible four year run through Huntington High School nears its end, Emily Plachta is turning her attention to the future. The All-State senior has committed to play basketball and study engineering at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
Huntington senior Emily Plachta
The teenager has been an integral member of the Blue Devil varsity girls’ soccer, basketball and lacrosse teams, playing leading roles in all three sports programs. Ms. Plachta has won awards in all three sports and she’s been an exceptional leader on the field and court, helping to lift every team she has played on to the playoffs.
“I chose Case Western for the people and for the opportunities that make the school unlike any other,” Ms. Plachta said. “The coaches and staff were very welcoming, which left a huge impact on my family and I. It also has one of the top engineering programs and is next to one of the best hospitals in the country, which provides many research and internship opportunities.”
A very strong student academically, Ms. Plachta has been on the high school’s High Honor Roll every marking period since the beginning of ninth grade. She was named a Distinguished Senior earlier this spring.
“Huntington has prepared me for college through the immense opportunities available to students,” Ms. Plachta said. “Having the option to choose from a variety of classes, clubs and sports teams allows you to pave your own way. My time in Huntington has allowed me to discover new ideas and subject matter that have helped me form an idea for what I want my college experience to be.”
Ms. Plachta was on this year’s staff of The Dispatch, the high school’s student newspaper. She volunteers with Helping Hands Rescue Mission and the Huntington Warriors. She plans to be equally involved in college.
“Case Western offers many unique opportunities for students,” Ms. Plachta said. “For one, I am going to be playing for the women’s basketball team, which I am very excited about. I am also interested in joining the American Society of Civil Engineers, Case’s climbing club and the Billion Bottle Project, which will be focusing on universal access to clean water. I also plan on spending at least one summer studying abroad.”
A member of Huntington’s National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Social Studies Honor Society, English Honor Society and Art Honor Society chapters, Ms. Plachta has excelled across all academic disciplines. She even has an internship with Mount Sinai Beth Israel’s Cystic Fibrosis team in Manhattan.
“I have been fortunate enough to do a lot of traveling in my lifetime,” Ms. Plachta said. “In the past couple of years I’ve been to Spain, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia, but favorite place in the word would have to be Poland. I can’t pick any particular part because every city and town is so unique in its own way. If I had to choose I’d say either Pieniny, Nowy Sącz or Beskidy.”
A new door is opening for the teenager and she intends to make her time at Case Western memorable. But Ms. Plachta will always remember her alma mater regardless of where life takes her.
“Huntington is so special because of all the opportunities it provides,” Ms. Plachta said. “There is something new and exciting for everyone to try and everyone has a chance to learn from others.”
Since her first days as a Washington Primary School kindergartener, Ms. Plachta has been a high achiever. She is driven to succeed and loves any type of challenge.
“I have absolutely enjoyed my Huntington experience and it will always hold some of my fondest memories,” Ms. Plachta said.
