Andrew Napurano Headed to
SUNY Plattsburgh
Andrew Napurano carefully considered numerous options before the Huntington High School senior decided SUNY College at Plattsburgh is the place he wants to continue his education at beginning next fall.
Mr. Napurano has been a student in the Huntington School District since beginning kindergarten at Southdown Primary School in September 2002. He has many fond memories of that class and teacher Lauren Wesnofske.
A member of the Huntington varsity baseball team’s starting rotation this season, Mr. Napurano has been involved in the Blue Devil program for many years. A career highlight came earlier this spring when the team played Hauppauge at Bethpage Ballpark in Central Islip. It’s the home of the Long Island Ducks and the groomed field and 6,200 seat stadium gave players a unique experience that they will continue to cherish in future years.
Mr. Napurano hurled a great game that day at Bethpage Ballpark. “I train very hard outside of Huntington’s baseball team with the CGI baseball organization,” the senior said. “I enjoy
traveling with our team and this summer I will be playing on their 18U/college team in the Boys of Summer league.”
The teenager became interested in history while studying at J. Taylor Finley Middle School. Mr. Napurano’s favorite classes have been Global History Honors 9 and 10 with teachers Camille Tedeschi and Peter Crugnale. He won a second place award in the high school’s National History Day competition for his historical paper on the Industrial Revolution and advanced to the Long Island regional finals at Hofstra University.
Mr. Napurano has also enjoyed studying English with teacher Dianna Molenko “who not only was our advisor for Relay For Life, but came to many of our baseball games” he said.
AP US History with teacher Kenneth Donovan was another of Mr. Napurano’s “favorite classes.” He has also enjoyed a close relationship with high school librarian Patricia Dillon. “She was always there for me throughout my years at Huntington,” the teenager said. “I will miss her and her ongoing support. It was nice to know I could go to the library when I needed to.”
A member of the high school’s non-competitive band, Mr. Napurano has played the trumpet since fourth grade. “I marched in all the parades and played at all the home football games in the pep band,” he said. “The May concert will be my last as a senior.”
When he’s not on a baseball field, Mr. Napurano enjoys fishing, boating and working out at the gym. The senior was accepted by SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Delhi, SUNY Potsdam, University of Hartford, University of Bridgeport, Siena College, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Iona College, Nyack College and SUNY Plattsburgh, where he intends to study business administration and perhaps history.
“My advice to all incoming [Huntington] freshmen is to get involved either in a club or a sport and stay focused,” Mr. Napurano said. “I am a very committed person when I want to excel at something. Being committed to baseball during the school year and the summers really helped me academically and personally. I will miss my years at Huntington High School, but look forward to college life and what it has to offer.”