Huntington senior Ryan Porzio has garnered the $1,000 scholarship Ira Schwartz Scholarship Award presented by the Long Island Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Widely regarded as a humble and respectful young man, Mr. Porzio likes to challenge himself academically. He plays on the varsity football and lacrosse teams and is known as a very hard worker.
Huntington High School senior Ryan Porzio
Mr. Porzio plans to attend Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. He is interested in studying business.
“I’m beyond excited to be attending Washington and Lee next fall because I believe it is the optimal learning environment for me,” Mr. Porzio said. “It’s a small liberal arts college.”
The Huntington senior hopes to join Washington and Lee’s sports analytics club along with the Williams Investment Society and participate in the school’s mock convention. “Every four years, the school hosts a realistic mock presidential nominating convention that is entirely student run,” Mr. Porzio said.
The teenager is thriving this year and especially enjoying the Virtual Enterprise business course he’s currently enrolled in. Mr. Porzio is the chief operating officer of Paladin, a VE firm he developed with his classmates. The company recently qualified for the National Business Plan Competition finals in Manhattan this spring.
Frequently referred to as either Mr. Reliable or Mr. Dependable, Mr. Porzio is both. Always there for family and friends when they need his help, the senior is a people person at heart.
While working as a town lifeguard last summer, Mr. Porzio notched his first save. He is currently involved in a credit bearing internship with math teacher Patricia Avelli.
“Ryan is such a kind kid who works so hard and puts 150 percent into everything he does,” Huntington guidance counselor Lauren Brunoni said. “He completely flies under the radar. Each year he pushes himself academically. He is taking five Advanced Placement and two honors classes this year. He also has an overall weighted average of 100.”
Founded in 1749, Washington and Lee enrolls about 1,800 undergraduates and another 400 graduate students. It’s 325 acre campus includes many buildings recognized as historic.
“Another reason that I chose Washington and Lee is that it has a phenomenal and highly ranked business school along with its fantastic liberal arts curriculum,” Mr. Porzio said. “According to Niche, it is the third best liberal arts college in America and also the 10th best college for business and economics, two areas of study that I’m very interested in majoring in.”
On Monday afternoon, Mr. Porzio will kick-off the spring athletic season with Huntington’s boys’ lacrosse team. Along with his teammates, the senior hopes to help lead the Blue Devils to the county championship.