Genesis Acevedo Works Hard to Accomplish Big Dreams

Genesis Acevedo has big dreams and she’s working hard to accomplish all of them. The Huntington High School senior is enrolled in a challenging slate of classes and is participating in many extracurricular clubs along with holding down a part-time job.

The teenager is taking Advanced Placement US Government & Politics, AP Biology, Calculus, African American & Latino Politics, Journalism, Forensics and Ceramics.

“Some activities that I have been involved in since I was a freshman and that I’m currently still involved in are New World club, United Amigos, AWOD and Grandfriends,” Ms. Acevedo said. “Another club that I am planning to be more involved in this year is Habitat for Humanity.”

Ms. Acevedo volunteers at the Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum. She’s interning at the DNA Learning Center in Cold Spring Harbor and she works in a local supermarket on the weekend.

“This year, I am very excited to be participating in the trip to New Orleans with Habitat for Humanity to help build more houses for those in need,” Ms. Acevedo said.

The teenager always keeps her goals in mind. They motivate her and give a sense of purpose to her daily life.

“I am excited to be involved in the DNA Learning Center,” Ms. Acevedo said. “I was given an scholarship when I was in tenth grade by Huntington High School science alumni to attend one of their camps over the summer and since then I have spent every summer there. Now I am officially an intern and I know that I will gain so much experience for my future career path.”

The teenager participated in the Cold Spring Harbor Lab’s STARS program last summer. It’s a two week research experience designed to support the “next generation of minority scientists, doctors and other health professionals.”

Ms. Acevedo learned some of the state of the art laboratory and computer science skills needed to succeed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines in college and beyond. She conducted hands-on science and computer projects and participated in enrichment activities, including discussions with researchers and tours of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Stony Brook University campuses.

She now has a line of communication to mentors who can provide advice on finding future research experiences and preparing for college. Ms. Acevedo is also now part of the program’s alumni network, which includes school-year virtual and in-person activities for mentorship, college prep, and research experiences.

“They have supported me with my college search and have provided me with opportunities to develop more research skills,” Ms. Acevedo said. “I also got to meet with Lucas Cheadle, who has a Ph.D. in neuroscience. He provided me with an opportunity to learn more about his major and his research and since that moment, I knew that I wanted to major in Neuroscience.”

Ms. Acevedo makes good use of her time. She’s always looking to grow intellectually and in every other possible way.

“Over the summer I set my heart to study neuroscience with a minor in psychology,” Ms. Acevedo said. “I want to learn more about the mechanical process of the brain, but also have another perspective on the mental side to further understand how the brain works. One of my top choices is Stony Brook University. I plan to major in neuroscience and then attend medical school and study to be a neurosurgeon.”

The senior said her passion for science began at an early age, but it didn’t fully develop until she was in high school. “Thanks to all the opportunities Huntington High School has provided me with, the amazing teachers from the science department that have always supported me and believed in me,” Ms. Acevedo said.

As each day comes and goes, Ms. Acevedo wins more admirers among the high school’s faculty and her classmates. She has a positive aura about her and a work ethic that is second to none.

“I want to specifically give a shout out to Mr. [Marlo] Romero and Mr. [Kenneth] Donovan because they have been so supportive with my college application process and have always believed in me,” Ms. Acevedo said. “I wouldn’t have gotten the internship and scholarships if it weren’t for them. I think Huntington High School is such an amazing environment and is so welcoming. I wouldn’t have made it so far without them and the support from all my teachers. Thank you so much. I will carry this school in my heart and I will always be a Blue Devil.”