Huntington Junior Carmine Carusone Eyes Career in Aviation

Carmine Carusone loves to fly. The Huntington High School junior enjoys it so much he is studying aviation at Republic Airport in Farmingdale through a specialized program offered by Wilson Tech.

Mr. Carusone has earned varsity athletic letters with the Blue Devil football and winter and spring track and field teams. He’s worked closely with Huntington coach Ron Wilson in all three sports. In football, he plays on the line while in track he is a thrower.

“Coach Wilson probably has had the biggest impact on me,” Mr. Carusone said. “I feel that I have a very strong connection with him and I definitely would not be in the same position I am today in sports and mentally without his teaching and advice. I come from a family where no one played American football and he was the one to teach me how to be an offensive lineman and I’ve won many awards as an offensive and defensive lineman from his teachings.”

The teenager has also grown close to high school teacher Peter Fusco. “He taught me how to manage my time with school work and how to get my work done while focusing on other objectives,” Mr. Carusone said. “He has been a very good mentor for me even though I only had him for one semester.”

The junior is sold on a career in the aviation industry. “I’ve been looking at colleges all across the country that have good aviation and piloting programs,” Mr. Carusone said. “Someday I hope to be flying for an airline.”

The teenager is a hard worker who never gives up. He’s responsible and likes to “own up” to his mistakes. He is willing to take risks and make mistakes to grow academically and athletically. He likes to display “a little finesse and confidence” at all times, regardless of the particular activity.

A member of the Social Studies Honor Society, Mr. Carusone joined the high school’s mock trial team and is training to be a witness. He’s in the Skills USA program at Wilson Tech, “which allows me to connect with my community and help out the needy,” he said.

Mr. Carusone is enrolled in his core courses at the high school and then studies aviation through Wilson Tech’s program at Republic Airport in Farmingdale. “In this program, I get to learn some basics with aviation and what the career is all about as well as being able to fly planes, which I have done,” he said.

Mr. Carusone said he’s in the midst of an “amazing experience” at Huntington High School. 
“I’ve made many friends and have had a lot of fun with my classes, sports and clubs, which I’ve joined through the year and which I hope to get even more involved in.”

The junior has traveled to Italy with his parents and brother to visit with family members there. He’s also been to Miami to watch the Dolphins play an NFL game.

“In 10 years, I hope to have graduated college with an aviation degree to also have a master’s degree in aeronautical science,” Mr. Carusone said. “I also hope to be employed in the airline industry as a first officer pilot and officially start flying for the airlines.”