Hope Bilkey Brings Resiliency to Roger Williams

Hope Bilkey is headed to Roger Williams University in Rhode Island to study for a career as an elementary school teacher. The Huntington High School Class of 2023 member played three sports for the Blue Devils and she was great at all of them.

The teenager won league, county and state honors in track and was a key player on the Blue Devil varsity girls’ soccer team. She was even a placekicker on the varsity football team.

The proud owner of a 3.7 academic grade point average, Ms. Bilkey earned the New York State of Biliteracy, signifying she is fully bilingual. She also won the Presidential Education Award.

Ms. Bilkey always bounces back from any disappointment. “My resiliency and never quit attitude started with my greatest disappointment athletically,” she said. “In eighth grade, I was invited to try-out for the Huntington varsity soccer team and I got cut. I could not believe it! It was the first time that I failed at something, but that failure lit a competitive fire in me that still burns today. The following year, in ninth grade, I not make varsity again! So, I realized that I would have to work harder than ever before and I made a commitment to do so. Since then I have had great success, making captain of varsity soccer and becoming a state champion in track. I apply that kind of resiliency in my classes and life in general. I realized that nothing worthwhile is easy and I try to put forth a positive attitude and maximum effort in all aspects of my life.”

While Ms. Bilkey is a hardnosed competitor, she’s also a gentle soul and possess a great sense of humor. A loyal and dependable friend, she will be missed around Huntington High School. But her teachers and coaches are just as excited as she is to see her begin her college journey at Roger Williams.