Damaris Mani-Munoz Wins J.M. West Scholarship

Damaris Mani-Munoz has been one of Huntington High School’s finest. The Class of 2024 member is this year’s recipient of the Joseph Michael West Vocational/STEM Scholarship following an exceptional four year run.

To be considered for the scholarship a graduating senior must plan on either studying a trade or pursuing a college academic major in or related to science, technology, engineering or math.

Candidates for the award must be creative, ambitious, goal-oriented and scholarly. “It is preferred if the candidate is a hands-on learner and enjoys working on projects of any kind both in and out of the classroom,” states the scholarship criteria.

Huntington guidance counselor Diana Bonilla announced the names of this year’s recipients at the senior scholarships and awards ceremony in the high school auditorium.

Ms. Mani-Munoz is headed to SUNY College at Geneseo. She intends to study public health with a concentration in biology and a minor in music.

The teenager said that staying organized and focusing on “protecting” her “peace” have been the keys to her success. Recognized as a Distinguished Senior, Ms. Mani-Munoz excelled across all academic areas while running on the Blue Devil varsity cross country, winter and spring track and field teams.

Ms. Mani-Munoz has won awards in everything from the National History Day contest to All-County honors as a strings musician with the New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education.

As Ms. Mani-Munoz prepares to head off to college she will always cherish the many friends she made participating in the Blue Devil track program.