HHS Senior Brianna McDonald Chooses Fairfield Univ.
Brianna McDonald is a decisive young woman. The Huntington High School senior rarely hesitates. She knows what she wants and she has a good idea how to get it.
Ms. McDonald is headed to Fairfield University in the fall to study nursing. “Surprisingly, Fairfield was the first college I went to visit,” the teenager said. “The town has a similar vibe as Huntington and being on the Fairfield beaches is just like being at home, yet on the other side of the bay.”
The senior looked into a few other colleges and walked their campuses, but when decision time arrived there was no doubt that Fairfield was the place for her.
“After visiting the campus several times I just knew that Fairfield was the place I was meant to be,” Ms. McDonald said. “After interviewing with the director of the nursing program and learning about all the school’s available opportunities, including small class sizes and studying abroad options, I knew this would be a great fit for me.”
The teenager will graduate from Huntington High School with many good memories. Highlights include a trip to London, Paris and Normandy with EF Tours that was led by social studies teacher Camille Tedeschi and included many classmates. Ms. McDonald will always remember her experiences at the annual Relay For Life and her credit bearing internship with District Director of Physical Education, Health and Interscholastic Athletics Georgia D. McCarthy this year.
A member of five different academic honor societies, Ms. McDonald has served as the G.O. historian and a Relay For Life committee chair. The founder of Athletes Helping Athletes, the senior has also volunteered with Huntington High School’s Habitat for Humanity chapter and participated in the yearbook club.
“Throughout my entire high school career I was blessed to have incredible teachers,” Ms. McDonald said. “Some of the teachers that I would consider my favorites are Mrs. [Judy] Pazienza, Mrs. [Jade] Madden, Mrs. [Elizabeth] Casazza and Mr. [Edward] Florea. “
Before choosing Fairfield University, Ms. McDonald considered the University of Delaware, Catholic University of America, University of Connecticut, Rutgers University and Penn State.
“At Fairfield I plan to major in nursing,” the Huntington senior said. “Growing up as the oldest of seven children, I was constantly taking care of one of them and now it’s just an act of nature to me. I hope to one day go into the field of pediatric oncology or neonatology.”
Ms. McDonald has been a mainstay on the Huntington lacrosse team throughout high school, serving as captain this past spring. She is interested in playing on the club level at Fairfield. At one time or another she’s also played high school soccer and been a member of the swim team.
The teenager hopes to join Fairfield’s Student Nursing Association and participate in Relay For Life and Colleges Against Cancer on the campus.
“Brianna is my best friend and a wonderful, kind hearted human being,” said Meghan Plant, a fellow Huntington senior. “I wish her all the luck next year and know she will be a great nurse.”
“My advice to incoming freshmen would be to enjoy high school while it lasts because it sure passes in the blink of an eye,” Ms McDonald said. “Don’t be afraid to try different things such as clubs and sports, as you can make friends with people you would have never met if it wasn’t because of your involvement. The more you put into it the more you get from the experience. Just embrace every moment and never stop working hard because that’s the only way you achieve goals.”