Robert Eriksen loves to play lacrosse. The Huntington High School senior enjoys it so much that he has committed to play on the Hood College team next year.
Mr. Eriksen is interested in studying early childhood education at Hood College, which is located in Frederick, Maryland. Founded in 1893, about 2,100 students are enrolled at the school, which boasts a 50 acre campus.
Huntington High School senior Robert Eriksen
Lacrosse season officially begins on Monday and Mr. Eriksen couldn’t be happier. “My love of athletics has always been at the top of the list,” he said. “Playing middy for Coach [Julian] Watts allows me to play both defense and offense. As a senior, I’m also looking to support my teammates and be a leader for our new and upcoming players. Doing my part will hopefully contribute to leaving the team stronger than when I joined.”
Outside of school and sports, the teenager tries to make the world a better place. “Volunteering and giving back is and will always be an area that I value and enjoy doing,” Mr. Eriksen said. “Project Hope is a group that I regularly volunteer my time with and it has taught me the importance of helping others and giving back to the people and community that I live in.”
Mr. Eriksen is interested in a career as a special education teacher. “The fact that I have had so many [good] teachers throughout my own education has influenced me in this direction,” he said. “I will minor in history and will have a wonderful historic backdrop in Frederick, Maryland.”
The senior said he has always been interested in history. “From a small boy I remember traveling to historic sites and monuments and learning through family members about the importance of what we were seeing,” Mr. Eriksen said. “Ms. [Joanne] Taormina, Mrs. [Renee] Garcia and Mr. [Anthony] Troffa have all had a lasting and profound impact on my educational journey and will undoubtedly stay with me my entire life.”
The Huntington senior is family oriented and he capitalized on the summer months to spend time with those he’s close to.
“I have a big family with a lot of cousins so anytime I can hang out with them, whether it be a day trip to the beach or a cookout at my uncle’s is time well worth it,” Mr. Eriksen said. “I was particularly lucky to have a few excursions with some family in the Connecticut area. With COVID limiting where and when I can do things, I was afforded the opportunity of more time, which allowed me to focus on improving my lacrosse skill set through clinics and one-on-one training.”
Mr. Eriksen has done a fair amount of traveling. “My favorite place hands down was a trip to Arizona,” he said. “Between the views and atmosphere it is hard to beat. The Grand Canyon was the most impressive site that I’ve seen. My ultimate goal is to travel to Alaska. I hope to be able to do that in the near future.”
The teenager wants the community to know it has a real gem in its backyard. “Huntington High school is a wonderful place,” Mr. Eriksen said. “The level of community combined with culture is at a level that I have not experienced before. All of the faculty and administration come from such a positive and supportive perspective. When I realized this early on in my education, Huntington High School became a special place that made me want to put more into myself and the people that have supported and stood by me.”