Samantha Palmer Loves it Here
She has one of the sharpest minds around. She's an athlete and a musician, an historian and a humanitarian. She's a leader and a valued teammate and friend. Samantha Palmer is all that. She's also one of the top members of Huntington High School's Class of 2012, too, and appears destined for one of America's best colleges.
"I could not have asked for a better four years of high school," said Ms. Palmer, who is president of the senior class. "I love it here at Huntington. I am kept busy at all hours of the day and there is never a moment where I am not doing something!"
Like seniors across America, Ms. Palmer is anxiously waiting to hear from the colleges she has applied to. Recently deferred by Harvard College, she has also filed applications with Duke University, University of Virginia, University of Pennsylvania, Brown University, Boston University and Northeastern University. "Duke is probably my first choice," she said.
Ms. Palmer has a magnetic personality that attracts people to her side. She quickly gains the trust of others with her sincerity and warm personality. Teachers respect her for what she brings to their classrooms. She's had a great run in the Huntington School District and more than a few faculty members will be sorry to see her graduate.
"It's hard to imagine leaving my friends, some of which I've known since kindergarten," Ms. Palmer said. "However, I am more than thrilled about college. The first four months of senior year have already flown by so fast. As much as I want
to hold on to my life here, I am eager to hear from colleges."
President of Class of 2012
The teenager has been involved with student government throughout high school. Her participation culminated in being elected president of Huntington's Class of 2012. "I admire student government because so many different kinds of people come together for a common goal, to help improve the school and organize student activities. I never realized how hard it is to work with so many people who have so many great ideas. It is definitely a challenge, but the officers of the Class of 2012 have done a great job coordinating everything."
The seniors are a special group. They've won the homecoming float competition in each of the past two years and members get along well. "Right now, our biggest focus is PlayFest, which takes place in February," Ms Palmer said about the student government, which is helping to organize the event. This year's PlayFest them is: "The End of the World."
Ms. Palmer is a member of the math, science, English, French and National honor societies, Ms. Palmer is president of the Class of 2012. She has earned varsity athletic letters with the Blue Devil field hockey team, performed with the school orchestra and participated in the Key club, National History Day, Habitat for Humanity and the student government.
"I've played on the field hockey team since my freshman year (three years on varsity) and I absolutely love it," Ms. Palmer said. She earned All-Division honors this past fall and captained the Blue Devils along with Sarah Smith, Madison Biernacki and Colleen Wright.
"Practice was something I truly looked forward to after school and I'm devastated about leaving my field hockey family, especially after becoming closer than ever this year," Ms. Palmer said. "I would definitely say this was our strongest season. We went into overtime during our game with No. 1 Ward Melville. We made it to playoffs, seeded fourth, but lost to Lindenhurst on our home turf. My coaches, Jillian Talleur and Kathy Wright were really great this season and I plan to keep in touch with them. I have become so close with them over the past years."
She assisted Ms. Talleur over the summer during a Huntington Booster Club camp. The senior is not ready just yet to put her stick away for good. "I hope to join a club field hockey team in college," Ms. Palmer said.
Traveled to New Orleans
The teenager traveled to New Orleans last year with Huntington High School's Habitat for Humanity chapter on a mission designed to assist in rebuilding the city's housing destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. "This experience was absolutely inspiring and I hope to visit there again," Ms. Palmer said. "The people were so nice and appreciative of our service. I got a taste of the exciting life and culture of New Orleans. Everything about it was beautiful."
Ms. Palmer also participated in a local HFH build in Bay Shore last spring. She's serving as vice-president of Huntington's HFH chapter this year. Due to a conflict, the Huntington group cannot travel to New Orleans this year, but the organization and its advisor, school dean Robert Gilmor III are considering trips to Tuscaloosa, Alabama or San Francisco, California.
"If we decide on Alabama, Huntington alum Molly Smith has offered to show us around the University of Alabama," Ms. Palmer said. "I really admire the energy and enthusiasm that Mr. Gilmor brings to the club."
National History Day State Champ
The teenager is a legitimate scholar and she takes her studies seriously. Ms. Palmer relishes academic challenges and is known for her top-notch work. She doesn't hesitate to go outside of regular class hours to pursue topics in greater detail.
"One of my most memorable high school experiences was my participation in the National History Day competition during my junior year," Ms. Palmer said. "Brielle Blatt and I entered the contest in the senior group exhibit category, creating a project on the master builder, Robert Moses. If you were to ask my friends, they would surely tell you that this project became our healthy obsession. We were in shock when they announced our names for first place at the state competition in Cooperstown. Our extensive hours of research, interviews and building paid off!"
Ms. Palmer said she felt "honored" to participate in the national history competition with Ms. Blatt at the University of Maryland. "The feeling I got from marching with students from all 50 states in the NHD parade was overwhelming," she said. "I never knew I could become so passionate for history and research. Brielle was the perfect partner. Most people would find working with someone several hours a day for ten straight months exhausting. However, she made the experience easy. Brielle and I balanced each
other throughout the whole process."
Her senior year finds Ms. Palmer still active as a member of Huntington's National History Day club. She is mentoring students working on projects. "My goal is to help them reach the national competition," the teenager said. Social studies teacher Lauren Desiderio mentored Ms. Palmer and Ms. Blatt throughout their NHD experience and the pair is still grateful for the advice and support.
Relay for Life Planning Committee
Ms. Palmer and Ms. Blatt are working together as part of a planning committee that is organizing a spring Relay for Life cancer fundraising and awareness event at Huntington High School. It's an overnight relay-style event where teams camp out near the track and take turns running or walking. The event is sponsored by the American Cancer Society
"Brielle and I were put in charge of planning all the entertainment for the event," Ms. Palmer said. "This will include reaching out to musicians, school bands and choirs, to perform."
One of Ms. Palmer's favorite activities is volunteering at Have a Heart Children's Cancer Society. "Every week I find time to help out at their office on Main Street, right here in Huntington," she said. "This non-profit organization raises donations to support families who have children suffering from cancer. My jobs include creating brochures, writing newsletters, sending thank-you notes and developing fundraising ideas. On a lucky day, I get to meet with the very children that we help. They are a constant reminder that life should not be taken for granted."
Many Teachers Played Major Role
Many teachers have played a "major role" in Ms. Palmer's high school experience, she said. "My AP Biology teacher Mrs. [Deborah] Beck, who my two sisters and I all
had, prepared me so well for the AP exam," Ms. Palmer said. "I plan to major in biology at college, hopefully studying pre-med."
Social studies teacher Camille Tedeschi is another of Ms. Palmer's favorites. "As my World History teacher for both my freshman and sophomore years, she more than prepared me for the rigorous work of junior year," Ms. Palmer said. "I am glad to continue working closely with Ms. Tedeschi, who is the Class of 2012 faculty advisor."
The senior has enjoyed a very positive experience at Huntington High School, so it's not surprising she has developed strong connections to many teachers. "Mrs. [Joann] Ferazi, Mr. [Keith] Mattis, Mr. [Roy] Dumar and Mr. [James] Graber are all great teachers as well," Ms. Palmer said. "This year I actually really like all my teachers. As a senior, I'm lucky to get to spend my last year in high school with teachers I all really like."
Personal relationships have loomed large over the past four years. "Throughout high school I have made so many new friendships and have strengthened older ones," Ms. Palmer said. "I love having friends from so many different groups. I became especially close with my small math class of ten people. Last year we bonded in our pre-calc class, becoming a math family. This year, we hold each other's backs as we struggle to keep up with the challenging curriculum of AP Calc BC. I have met some of my favorite people in this class."
As the number of days to graduation grows fewer in number, Ms. Palmer sometimes grows philosophical. "If I were to give freshmen advice I would say to make the most of your time at high school," she said. "The opportunities given at Huntington are a privilege."