Huntington Alum Studying at
SUNY Old Westbury
Nicole Giambrone is two months into her first semester as a freshman at SUNY College at Old Westbury. A member of Huntington High School’s Class of 2013, the teenager is playing on the college’s lacrosse team and taking a full complement of classes.
Ms. Giambrone plans to major in either speech pathology or occupational therapy and pursuing a career in one of those fields. She intends to transfer colleges at some point now that she has identified her academic interests.
A sensational photographer at Huntington High School, Ms. Giambrone still shoots on her free time. She enjoyed a close working relationship with Pamela Piffard, the art teacher who heads the high school’s photography program. The teenager has won awards for her intriguing photos.
“Everything is going well,” Ms. Giambrone said about her time at Old Westbury. “So far my impressions on college are pretty good. I like the professors and the classes I’m taking. I also like the atmosphere of college. Taking classes that interest me are always fun. It’s a lot more work than high school was, but I don’t mind it so much.”
The Huntington alum is currently enrolled in Comparative Cultures, Ethics of Engagement, English Composition I and Algebra. “I don’t love the school and I plan to transfer after this year, but I like the friends I made at the school,” Ms. Giambrone said. “They’re really nice and funny. Overall, college is good and the experience is great!”
The Old Westbury women’s lacrosse team competes in NCAA Division III. “It’s a lot of fun,” Ms. Giambrone said about being a member of the Panthers’ squad. “I’ve always like the sport and I like the girls on the team a lot.” The season will open on Saturday, March 1 at Ramapo College in New Jersey.
Ms. Giambrone began her educational journey in the South Huntington School District before moving as a second grader to Bayville and the Locust Valley School District, where she stayed through eighth grade. She came to Huntington High School as a freshman and flourished for the next four years.
As a Huntington senior, Ms. Giambrone won a Best in Show Award at the Long Island Media Arts Show at Five Towns College in Dix Hills. The award-winning photo was shot at Caumsett State Park in Lloyd Harbor. Her model was Sydney Andree. “I was inspired by the environment surrounding me,” Ms. Giambrone said. “I was trying to achieve a photograph containing natural light and nature. I don’t know what I would say it signifies, but I think it shows the beauty of the world around us.”