Sophomore Rafaella Bielska Gregorio Makes Each Day Count

Sensational Huntington High School sophomore Rafaella Gregorio is in the midst of a great run, complete with challenging classes, clubs and sports. Day by day she is finding her way, discerning her long-term interests and growing intellectually, socially and creatively.

In the first marking period, Ms. Gregorio compiled an academic grade average in excess of 98.5. She’s a hard worker and is enjoying working with teachers in every department.

“While a student of Huntington High School, I have developed a strong relationship with my former Honors Living Environment teacher, Mr. [Joseph] Cohen and my current Honors Chemistry teacher, Michael Corcoran,” Ms. Gregorio said. “Mr. Cohen has shown me nothing but genuine kindness and is someone I look to for guidance and help and not just work. Mr. Corcoran is one of my favorite teachers due to his never ending motivational speeches, energetic classroom and peppy teaching, so far being one of his students this year there has never been a dull moment in chemistry.”

The sophomore always tries to make each day count. “I value books and music over the company of most people, although I do love to hang out with my friends, Thomas Smith, Aine Rimkunas and Isabella Careccia-Johnson,” Ms. Gregorio said. “I love to laugh and I find comedy shows very comforting. I am self-reliant and very independent, which sometimes people call “stubborn,” but I like to think it keeps me prepared for the harder tasks that life throws at me.

Captain of the Blue Devil JV field hockey team, Ms. Gregorio is also a Natural Helper, assisting classmates who are working through personal issues. A member of the English Honor Society, she’s also on the staff of the Dispatch student newspaper.

“My favorite class would be Honors Chemistry because I love the hands-on work we do in the lab, working with fire and different chemicals all while having my friends in the class, but I also enjoy AP World History because I have learned much while being taught by Mr. [Peter] Crugnale such as developing my writing skills and looking at history from a different standpoint rather than the facts on paper.”

Through the ups and downs of life as a student, Ms. Gregorio always manages to come out on top. She’s an articulate young woman who likes to see the positive side of any situation.

“I have enjoyed my time at Huntington High School very much, although the start of my journey here has been rocky,” Ms. Gregorio said. “I have met a variety of people, all of which are so amazing through and through. I walked into high school as a different person and slowly by each day I am being molded into someone better and brighter.”

Ms. Gregorio is fortunate to have visited several faraway cultures and another opportunity will present itself soon.

“I have traveled to a few countries such as Poland, Portugal and Canada, all of which have been truly amazing,” Ms. Gregorio said. “Each experience was vastly different and yet thrilling. I am excited to go on the Amsterdam and Paris trip this year in the spring with my fellow classmates and friends. It will truly be a learning experience socially, culturally and academically.”

The sophomore is already thinking outside the box for college. “I am excited to go to college after my time at Huntington,” Ms. Gregorio said. “I haven’t been fixed on a definite career path although I am certain I want to explore a career involving science and or history. I have been looking at many different universities to be able to have some insight as to where I am leaning towards but as of now I am looking towards Scotland and Britain to go and study.”

Ms. Gregorio is exploring a wide range of academic areas and she will have an opportunity to take more electives as a junior and senior.

“In 10 years, I hope to be happily pursuing whatever career I end up in, no matter what category it falls under and to be with people I care about,” Ms. Gregorio said. “I hope that all the hard work I am putting into my uncertain future will help me get to where I want to be later on. Although I don’t know now who I want to be yet, it will all come to me with time and lots of mistakes.”