Savannah Richardson Chooses George Washington University
Senior Savannah Richardson is headed to George Washington University, but she will always remember Huntington High School, where the teenager spent many happy days.
Ms. Richardson is a leading member of the Class of 2016 and she has the academic and co-curricular credentials to prove it. Widely respected by the high school faculty and her classmates, the teenager has mastered many of the most challenging courses offered in Huntington.
“I decided on George Washington University because of its high academic record, great internship and study abroad opportunities and its location in Washington D.C.,” Ms. Richardson said. “The school is only a four blocks away from the White House, so for a history lover like myself, this is pretty ideal.”
The senior considered Boston University, University of Michigan, University of Maryland, and New York University, before settling on George Washington University. “GWU has one of the best international relations programs in the world in one of my favorite cities so I could not pass up the chance,” Ms. Richardson said. “Being in D.C. for the inauguration of our next president will be amazing.”
The teenager hopes to join a political or community service club in college and she “most definitely” wants to continue playing clarinet in an ensemble.
The past four years have been packed with highlights, including a trip with the Blue Devil marching band to Disney World during Ms. Richardson’s sophomore year. “Marching down Main Street in Magic Kingdom was awesome and the whole experience solidified close friendships with many band members,” she said.
Capturing the state marching band championship in 2014 will never be forgotten. “That moment was pretty spectacular and being able to do with such a good group of kids made it much more special,” Ms. Richardson said. “The marching band was the largest and best family I had in high school.” The teenager captained the woodwind section.
Besides being a scholar and musician, Ms. Richardson is also a wonderful athlete. “I loved being on the winter track team,” she said. “Breaking the 4x200m relay record twice and the high jump record multiple times to a current 5’2 was exhilarating every time. I’m going to miss competing because it is such a special feeling. My teammates were also very supportive of each other, creating a great team atmosphere.”
Traveled to Costa Rica
Ms. Richardson traveled to Costa Rica with EF Tours this past February. The trek was led by social studies Camille Tedeschi. “Being in the rainforest and seeing sloths and monkeys was a crazy experience,” the senior said. “White water rafting was exhilarating and fun, especially since I was in a raft with some of my closest friends. But, kayaking next to a volcano was a beautiful sight. It was a once in a lifetime experience.”
During spring break, Ms. Richardson went to New Orleans with Huntington’s Habitat for Humanity chapter members and its advisor, Robert Gilmor III. She said it was an “eye opening” experience. “It made me appreciate what I have and that I should continue to do all I can to help others in society,” the teenager said. “Mr. Gilmor did an awesome job to make it a great experience for the group.”
A member of the wind ensemble and pit orchestra, Ms. Richardson is vice president of Tri M, the music honor society. She’s a Natural Helper, secretary of the Social Studies Honor society, vice president of the Italian Honor Society and a member of the Math, English and National Honor Societies.
Ms. Richardson’s favorite faculty members include Lauren Desiderio, Kenneth Donovan, Victoria Lombardi, Brian Stellato and Jessica Casteneda.
“It was in Mrs. Desiderio’s AP World History class that I realized I wanted to major in international relations because I became aware of how passionate I was about society and how I could make a difference,” Ms. Richardson said. “Mrs. Des is an awesome teacher who always does everything she can to help her students. She really prepared me for the second half of high school.”
The teenager worked with Mr. Donovan in AP US History and again this year in AP Government and Politics. “He has pushed me to really pay attention to our world and how to be an active citizen,” Ms. Richardson said. “He has expanded my knowledge of government so much that I always want to know more. I appreciate the fact that he is open to hearing other student’s opinions.”
Developed many close relationships
Ms. Richardson has developed many close relationships with high school faculty members, including Ms. Lombardi, who was the teenager’s teacher for an AP Language and Composition class. “She allowed me appreciate English more and I became a better writer through her class,” the senior said. “She made class fun and there was never a dull moment.”
The senior is one of Huntington’s top music students and a marching band leader. Ms. Richardson is well known in the high school’s music wing and teachers have the utmost respect for the teenager.
“Mr. Stellato is truly an awesome teacher,” Ms. Richardson said. “He cares very much about his students and he has been a great teacher to go to for advice. Being in junior band, marching band and music theory have been great experiences because of his positive attitude. He is a teacher that has been present in my life all four year of high school, which allowed him to help me grow musically and give me good advice along the way.”
Ms. Richardson has also known Mrs. Casteneda for many years. “She began tutoring me for clarinet her first year as woodwind tech for the marching band, which was when I was in eighth grade,” the teenager said. “She taught me to grow so much as a player and a person. She has challenged me with the hardest pieces and has taught me to conquer fears in and out of band. Having her direct the pit orchestra was definitely the most fun because it was a small group and we were able to create fun memories playing with the cast of musical. Having her as a tutor, a woodwind tech, marching band director and pit orchestra director have all been wonderful experiences.”
It’s a little hard believe that Ms. Richardson will graduate in a few short weeks. She has been an integral member of the Huntington High School scene since the day she arrived four years ago. She’s been a star and teachers and classmates expect her to shine at GWU.
Ms. Richardson advises incoming Huntington High School freshmen “to grab opportunities to try new things and to not be afraid to branch out because high school is full of opportunities to discover who you are.”