Hispanic Heritage Celebration Honors Huntington Students

Six Huntington High School students were among a group of spectacular teenagers honored at the town’s 28th annual Hispanic heritage celebration at Town Hall.

Huntington High School students Evelyn Benitez, Angie Hernandez-Ramos, Estefany Quijada-Mojica, Brian Romero-Bonilla and Levis Villatoro garnered Student Achievement Award scholarships in the amount of $500 each. Itza Gonzales Ponce also won a Student Achievement Award.

Sponsored by the town’s Hispanic Task Force, the event took on a festive tone following the end of COVID-19 related restrictions. It included a packed town board meeting room and a wide variety of well-received performances. Dignitaries dotted the crowd.

“It was a pleasure to share in the celebration and to watch our incredible dual language students share their bilingual skills and our high school performers share their talents,” Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky said. “Additionally, I share my heartiest congratulations to Huntington High School’s scholarship winners, as this is only the beginning of so many great things to come their way. Honors well earned!”

Several district officials and teachers were on hand for the festivities and looked on with pride as their students either performed for the big crowd or received one of the awards.

“All these students excelled in academics and have clear goals for their future studies,” said Rosario Lorenzana, a Huntington High School science teacher and United Amigos club advisor who was among the district faculty members in attendance at town hall. “To add to their list of accomplishment they are all involved in helping various community activities. It is clear that we have an array student that are not only talented,  but will assist others in Huntington. We are so proud of our seniors.”

Snapshot Bios of Scholarship Award Recipients

Evelyn Benitez

A determined, hardworking and thoughtful young woman, Evelyn Benitez has been excelling in her students. The senior is an active member of her church where she lands the worship team and the youth ministry. At the high school, she participates in the United Amigos, the county champion mock trial team, the New World club and the Spanish Honor Society.

Born in the United States, Ms. Benitez’s parents immigrated to America from El Salvador. The teenager hopes to pursue an undergraduate degree at a New York State college.

Angie Hernandez-Ramos

Dependable, reliable and always willing to lend a hand, Angie Hernandez-Ramos has compiled an academic grade average in excess of 97. A participant in the New York State Advanced Course Access program, the teenager is on the high school’s championship mock trial team. She has been inducted into Huntington’s English Honor Society.

Ms. Hernandez-Ramos is especially helpful to her parents, translating for them and assisting with everyday tasks in a loving manner. The young woman is proud of her Honduran heritage. She plans to pursue a career as an attorney.

Estefany Quijada-Mojica

A studious young woman, Estefany Quijada-Mojica has compiled an envious academic record. The teenager displays the determination and persistence that any successful person needs. A member of the Italian Honor Society, she volunteers to assist in the high school’s guidance office. Secretary of Huntington’s New World Club, she has garnered awards in Accounting I and Accounting II classes. She enjoys spending time helping English language learners.

Born in El Salvador and raised there during her early years, Ms. Quijada-Mojica immigrated to the United States as a 10-year old. She plans to pursue a college degree in accounting.

Brian Romero-Bonilla

A multi-talented and all-around sensational senior, Brian Romero-Bonilla is able to boast of having a 95 academic average while challenging himself by taking multiple Advanced Placement courses.

Mr. Romero-Bonilla has assumed leadership responsibilities with Huntington High School’s robotics team. He volunteers at the Helping Hand Rescue Mission and has assisted during town clean-ups. He even helped erect the Christmas tree in the middle of Huntington village. A member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society, he has also participated in the NYSSMA program.

The teenager hopes to study for an undergraduate degree at Stony Brook University.

Levis Villatoro

Levis Villatoro is an outstanding student who continues to contribute to Huntington High School both academically and in the after school club program.

The teenager came to the United States from El Salvador three years ago and through hard work and determination he has earned an overall grade average of 90, demonstrating nearly complete proficiency in English.

A participating member of both the New World Club and United Amigos as well as his church, Mr. Villatoro holds a part-time job outside of school hours. He plans to attend college and study to become a teacher.

The celebration at town hall kicked off with a splendid rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” by senior Samuel James. Woodhull Intermediate School fourth grade dual language students presented facts about Latino countries and Woodhull fifth grade dual language students read a series of delightful poems.

Huntington’s Alexis Rodriguez performed “Adolescent’s Orchestra” by Virgin while David Chavez-Hernandez performed “Nunca es Suficiente” (Is Never Enough) by N. Lafourcade. Town Supervisor Edmund J. Smyth served as master of ceremonies.