Theadora Carnesi and Robert Smith are two of Huntington High School’s most remarkable seniors. The pair has impressed everyone, gaining the respect and admiration of their teachers, coaches, classmates and teammates.
The teenagers’ splendid academic performance, outstanding character, impressive citizenship and exceptional abilities have been formally recognized by the Suffolk Zone of the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
Robert Smith and Theadora Carnesi
The Suffolk Zone annually honors one senior male and female student from each high school in the county. The award recognizes outstanding performance in physical education over the course of high school.
Huntington School Board members and district executives honored Ms. Carnesi, who is widely known as Teddi and Mr. Smith during a public meeting of trustees in the Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School auditorium on Monday night.
Theadora Carnesi
Ms. Carnesi is headed to the United States Military Academy at West Point where she hopes to play on the NCAA Division I soccer team. An All-State soccer player, she has repeatedly been named a New York State Scholar Athlete. The senior has garnered the Congressional Certificate of Merit.
President of Huntington’s Class of 2022, Ms. Carnesi is also Natural Helper, assisting classmates as they work through difficult personal situations. A contributing member of the National Honor Society, she has served on the Suffolk Anti-Bias Task Force and written stories for The Dispatch student newspaper.
The teenager has played on and captained the Blue Devil varsity soccer, basketball and softball teams. She is especially interested in studying political science and international relations. Ms. Carnesi maintains a near perfect academic average along with a grade of 100 in physical education.
“Physical education has taught me skills that I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” Ms. Carnesi said. “As an Army cadet, I have made becoming muscular and fit one of my top priorities. Physical education taught me proper lifting form to gain muscle and also how to eat nutritiously to maintain good health. I am extremely thankful for the vital lessons I have learned in physical education.”
Robert Smith
Mr. Smith will be attending Stony Brook University where he was recruited to play on the NCAA Division I lacrosse team. He has captained the Blue Devil football, wrestling and lacrosse teams.
The teenager won the Suffolk wrestling championship at 215 lbs. and went on to captured All-State honors at the state tournament. A New York State Scholar Athlete, Mr. Smith also has a near perfect academic grade average and a 100 in physical education.
The recipient of the President’s Award for Educational Excellence, Mr. Smith is interested in studying business and finance at Stony Brook.
“Health and physical education classes have provided me with essential nutritional information and helped me build and maintain a healthy mind and body,” Mr. Smith said. “I have also gained knowledge and skills in proper athletic technique and form. As an incoming NCAA Division I lacrosse player, it is crucial that I maintain proper form during workouts to avoid injury and to gain muscle.”
To be eligible for the Suffolk Zone Award students must have earned at least a 90 average in physical education class and a minimum 3.0 overall grade point average in all classes prior to the senior year, demonstrate outstanding character, show leadership skills in both physical education class and general school-wide activities and serve as a role model for other students.