Hispanic Heritage Celebration Honors Six Huntington Students

Six Huntington High School students were among a group of spectacular teenagers honored at the town’s 29th annual Hispanic heritage celebration at Town Hall on Wednesday night.

Student Achievement Award recipients Genesis Acevedo, Zaida Correal and Jannel Marroquin also captured individual scholarships.

Emily Guardado, Andrea Mani-Munoz and Kelly Zelaya also garnered Student Achievement Awards.

Huntington School Board President Xavier Palacios, Huntington High School Principal Brenden Cusack and District Director of Guidance Jeannette Alomia were among a crowd numbering about 150 that filled the Town Hall meeting room.

The evening included inspiring words from a variety of guest speakers along with Town Supervisor Edmund Smith, who was the master of ceremonies. There were also several uplifting dance performances.

Huntington’s three special scholarship recipients are an especially distinguished group of teenagers.

Genesis D. Acevedo

Genesis D. Acevedo is a motivated, optimistic and compassionate senior. She is enrolled in rigorous honors and Advanced Placement classes. She has donated most of her time helping English Language Learners within the community. She is also an active member of the United Amigos club, focusing on helping students new to the country adapt to life in the United States through mentorship and friendship.

Ms. Acevedo is of Mexican descent and extremely proud of her heritage. She was born in Huntington and at six years old moved to Mexico, only to return to Huntington six years later. She strives to excel academically and continues to challenge herself, working hard toward her goals. She plans to study in college for a career as surgeon.

Jannel J. Marroquin

Jannel J. Marroquin is a diligent, motivated, ambitious and compassionate senior who strives to do her best at Huntington High School. She has enrolled in a rigid course schedule, including honors and AP courses.

An active member of the high school’s National Honor Society, as well as the English, Math, Science and Spanish Honor Societies, she runs on the Blue Devil varsity cross country, winter and spring track and field teams. She is also an outstanding musician, and has completed NYSSMA solo levels 4, 5 and 6.

Ms. Marroquin’s after school activities include volunteering for the Helping Hand Rescue Mission, Habitat for Humanity and teaching at her church, always striving to help others.

Ms. Marroquin is of Guatemalan descent. She is extremely proud of her Hispanic heritage and she has a love for the language. She intends to pursue a career as a biology teacher and athletic coach. The teenager wants to make a positive impact on students and inspire them, as her teachers and coach have with them.

Zaida M. Correal

Zaida M. Correal is an exceptional senior with a notable work ethic. She is a bright young lady who challenges herself with numerous AP courses and extracurricular activities. She plays on the varsity volleyball and flag football teams and dances with the Huntington Highsteppers. She’s been in the cast of three separate drama club productions.

The senior is in her fourth year of serving as the Class of 2024’s vice president. She volunteers with the high school’s Habitat for Humanity chapter and is a member of both the French Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society

Ms. Correal speaks Spanish fluently and she hopes to add French and Italian to her arsenal of languages, which she plans to use during a career in government.

Ms. Correal immigrated to the US from Columbia and she is grateful for the impact that living in that country has had on her life and her perspective. She is proud of her heritage and has welcomed every opportunity to share her culture with classmates.