H-ton Senior Benefits from Marist College Summer Study
Gregory Rorke is well into his senior year at Huntington High School and continuing to benefit from a summer educational experience that brought him to the Marist College campus in Poughkeepsie.
The teenager loves sports and he understands the importance of getting a good education, so Mr. Rorke enrolled in a three credit course in Marist’s sports communication program. It turned into the experience of a lifetime. He earned college credits that are transferable to whatever school he ultimately decides to attend next fall.
“I am still undecided as to whether or not I will study sports communications/management or meteorology in college, but having the opportunity to study and work in the field that I love was awesome,” Mr. Rorke said. “I have always been a huge sports fan and can see myself in that field in the future”
The course and material were challenging, but Mr. Rorke said he was happy to receive a 3.0 in the class and is proud to have three credits under his belt before entering college. “Living away was a great experience,” he said. “My suitemates and I became really close and even though we were from all over the United States, we still keep in touch, especially when something exciting happens in the sports world.”
Huntington High School teacher Anthony Troffa wrote a letter of recommendation to Marist on Mr. Rorke’s behalf. The teenager is known as a quiet and exceptionally respectful young man who is quite eager to please.
“Greg was an absolute pleasure to have in class as a freshman and again as a junior,” Mr. Troffa said. “He is one of the hardest working students that I know and he continuously pushes to do better. He is passionate about sports and enjoys talking it up about the Mets, which is his favorite team. I know that Greg will be very successful in whatever path he chooses because of his work ethic and drive.”
The senior is co-president of the high school Grandfriends club and is a member of Huntington’s Key Club, too. Mr. Rorke has been tireless in devoting countless hours as a Special Olympics volunteer and has worked with district Director of Special Education Nancy Wilson at Huntington’s summer program at Woodhull School, helping children with special needs.
Two weeks in Marist’s summer pre-college program has benefitted Mr. Rorke during the opening weeks of his senior year. “I was able to study the business of sports marketing and communication in a hands on environment,” he said. “We travelled to New York City and had meetings and tours at the National Football League and Major League Baseball offices and at Madison Square Garden. We even attended a Mets game at Citi Field.”
The Marist summer initiative is geared towards rising juniors and seniors in high school. Mr. Rorke submitted a completed application, official high school transcript, letter of recommendation and a short essay about his interest in the sports communication program and before he knew it, he was sitting in a college classroom.