Huntington Seniors Capture Suffolk Zone Award

Olivia Polinsky and Thomas Girimonti are two of Huntington High School’s most sensational seniors. The pair has impressed everyone, gaining the respect and admiration of their teachers, coaches, classmates and teammates.

The teenagers’ spectacular academic performance, outstanding character, notable citizenship and exceptional abilities have been formally recognized by the Suffolk Zone of the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

The Suffolk Zone annually honors one senior male and female student from each high school in the county. The award recognizes outstanding performance in physical education over the course of high school.

Ms. Polinksy and Mr. Girimonti were joined by their respective parents at last week’s Suffolk Zone Award dinner at Villa Lombardi in Holbrook.

Ms. Polinsky is a key member of the high school’s Natural Helpers and Habitat for Humanity clubs. She participates with the Blue Devils varsity field hockey, winter track and field and Unified basketball teams.

An Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor and a New York State Scholar Athlete, Ms. Polinsky is an ambassador with the Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition, which she has worked with through the high school’s science research program.

A member of Huntington’s National Honor Society chapter, she has captained multiple Blue Devil sports teams and interned with Stony Brook University’s Ecotoxicology Lab. Ms. Polinsky has volunteered as a North Shore Holiday House mentor, educating and stressing the importance of environmental health to underprivileged girls ages 7-11 through interactive discussions and games.

“Health and physical education has taught me that having good mental, physical and social health is crucial to creating balance and achieving my goals,” Ms. Polinsky said.

The teenager has in the process of finalizing her college plans. She is interested in studying public and environmental welfare.

A member of five separate academic honor societies, Mr. Girimonti is president of the Blue Devil varsity club. He plays on Huntington’s golf, basketball and lacrosse teams and captains multiple squads. A New York State Scholar Athlete, he has earned top grades while being a starter on all three varsity teams.

A volunteer with Huntington’s Key Club chapter, Mr. Girimonti has coached youth lacrosse, giving back to the community in sport he loves. He’s an Advanced Placement Scholar and even worked as a sailing instructor.

“Health and physical education has given me the opportunity to bond with my peers while competing in athletics, which is what I love to do,” Mr. Girimonti said.

The teenager has been recruited by Wesleyan University in Connecticut to play on its NCAA men’s lacrosse team. Mr. Girimonti plans to study economics/business.

To be eligible for the Suffolk Zone Award students must have earned at least a 90 average in physical education class and a minimum 3.0 overall grade point average in all classes prior to the senior year, demonstrate outstanding character, show leadership skills in both physical education class and general school-wide activities and serve as a role model for other students.

To be eligible for the Suffolk Zone Award students must have earned at least a 90 average in physical education class and a minimum 3.0 overall grade point average in all classes prior to the senior year, demonstrate outstanding character, show leadership skills in both physical education class and general school-wide activities and serve as a role model for other students.