Emily Williams Finds Cornell to be a Perfect Fit
Emily Williams has always made a good impression with everyone who happens to cross her path. The Huntington High School senior displays a sense of poise and maturity that when coupled with her sharp intellect, personal warmth, sense of humor and a long list of qualities and talents makes her a perfect fit for Cornell University.
Ms. Williams has accepted Cornell’s invitation to be a part of the Ivy League school’s freshman class next fall. The teenager will join her sister on the upstate campus. Lyndsey Williams is currently a Cornell sophomore.
“Ever since I stepped onto the campus I fell in love,” Ms. Williams said. “The campus is beautiful, the people are welcoming and I truly feel at home.” The teenager plans to study biology and hopes to attend medical school in the future.
Outside of class, Ms. Williams intends to stay busy at Cornell. “I plan on getting involved with either the gymnastics team or dance team as well as volunteering for the community as much as I can,” she said.
The senior is currently engaged in a credit bearing internship with high school chemistry teacher Danielle Lusardi. “I enjoy helping the other students learn about chemistry,” Ms. Williams said. “Mrs. Lusardi is a great teacher and is very enthusiastic.”
The past two summers jam packed for the senior. “In anticipation of a career in medicine, I interned at two physical therapy offices and at a pediatrician’s office,” Ms. Williams said. “I will be spending a week on a medical missionary trip with Blanca’s House to Ecuador assisting doctors during medical exams and surgeries.”
Always willing to lend a hand to others in need, Ms. Williams collected used children’s books last summer as part of a community service project. “I then contacted a local homeless shelter and delivered the books to them,” she said. “It was great to see the smiles on the children’s faces when they found out that they could take and keep any books that they wanted.”
There is plenty to like at Cornell for Ms. Williams. “I look forward to joining my sister at Cornell as we have always had a close relationship and we can be there for each other,” she said.
One of the top students in Huntington’s Class of 2016, Ms. Williams has earned membership in the National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Social Studies Honor Society. In addition to serving on the Relay For Life’s planning committee, she has also participated in the yearbook club.
The senior has enjoyed many fulfilling and productive relationships with her teachers through the years. Huntington’s faculty has come to respect and admire Ms. Williams for her approach to learning and her preparation for daily classes.
“I have grown close to both Mr. [Joseph] Cohen and Mrs. [Deborah] Beck as they have contributed towards my love for biology,” she said. Mr. Cohen worked closely with the teenager in Honors Biology during Ms. Williams’ freshman year. “She was never phased by the most difficult of tasks,” the veteran teacher said. “One of the brightest yet humble students I have ever had. She is highly respected in the building.”
The teenager and Mrs. Beck really hit it off with one another. “Emily is a spectacular student,” Mrs. Beck said. “She is motivated, hard-working and intelligent. She is passionate about science and helps to impart that passion to her peers. Last year she was taking two Advanced Placement science classes; AP Biology and AP Environmental Science and despite all the work involved she truly enjoyed the experience. I am so proud of all her hard work and I am so happy she got into the school of her dreams. I know she will continue to be successful at Cornell and I know she will achieve great things.”
Ms. Williams has also kept busy outside of the classroom. “I started gymnastics at the age of seven and have grown to love it more and more,” she said. The senior has competed in local, state and national competitions. The highlight of her career was winning the national vault championship in 2013 in Palm Springs, California.
A member of the Huntington Highsteppers competitive dance team since ninth grade, Ms. Williams said she has enjoyed performing at pep rallies and football and basketball games and competing in local and national competitions.
Ms. Williams has been working at the YMCA as a lifeguard and swim instructor since she was 14. She also works at a local gymnastics center teaching young children the sport. “My experience with children is making me lean towards a medical career as a pediatrician, although I am still undecided,” she said.
The teenager has enjoyed a very well-rounded experience in high school, mixing academics, clubs, sports and outside interests. She’s an integral part of the Huntington community and is highly regarded by her classmates, teachers, coaches and advisors.
“Huntington’s ability to come together during a time of need, including our annual commitment to the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, will certainly always stand out in my mind,” Ms. Williams said. “Over my four years of participating in Relay For Life I have raised close to $4,000 as well as participating in the planning committee this past year. This event means a lot to me as I lost my grandpa to cancer.”
The teenager has become indispensable to Huntington’s Relay for Life initiative. “She has always been there through the years since the early days,” said Mr. Cohen, who as the National Honor Society’s faculty advisor helps coordinate Relay For Life. “Emily is always carrying out any task, little or big to its completion. She is super reliable and I trust her to handle a lot of responsibility.”
As she nears her final semester at Huntington High School, Ms. Williams feels good about all she has accomplished over the years. She’s looking forward to the future and all that Cornell has to offer.
“My advice to an incoming Huntington freshman would be to not let the little things bother you, keep pursuing your dream and always remember to smile,” Ms. Williams said.