Danna Flores Enjoying Unforgettable Huntington Journey

Danna Flores is working hard as the Huntington High School senior looks to finalize her college plans. The teenager’s top choices include Mercy University, Long Island University and Stony Brook University. She plans to study medical laboratory sciences and looks forward to a career as a scientist.

Ms. Flores is working to obtain a pair of special diploma seals, including the Seal of Biliteracy and the Seal of Civic Readiness. She’s a member of the New World and robotics clubs and interning in a Global History 10 class.

The teenager participated in Wilson Tech’s SkillsUSA club, placing third in a statewide competition last year. Ms. Flores hopes to vie in the contest again as a senior.

“My journey at Huntington High School has definitely been filled with all types of craziness, but above all I can definitely say that my journey has been one that I will never forget,” Ms. Flores said. “I’ve had an incredible high school experience; one that has allowed for many friendships and new relationships to be created. Though this crazy ride has been fun it will be coming to an end in June when I graduate, but I’m very excited for what’s to come for me and I know that, as said in ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower:’ ‘I know these will all be stories someday and our pictures will become old photographs. We all become somebody’s mom or dad. But right now, these moments are not stories. This is happening. I can see it. This one moment when you know you’re not a sad story. You are alive.’”

The senior works part-time as a style consultant at Target when she’s not at school or socializing. “I believe that no matter who I become in life or the status I gain, I will always remember that many of the life lessons that have taught me so much came as a result of my experience in Huntington and from being a Blue Devil,” Ms. Flores said. “I believe that if I were to have been born in someplace other than Huntington and attended high school somewhere else, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”

Among the high school teachers who have “stood out to me” and had a “really big impact” on Ms. Flores’ life have been Camille Tedeschi, Matthew Liguori and Thomas Van Bell.

“My junior year, I was placed into Ms. Tedeschi’s US History 11 and since I really keep to myself and am quiet unless I’m comfortable, I didn’t participate much unless called on,” Ms. Flores said. “Ms. Tedeschi found this intriguing since I always knew the correct answers, but for some reason just never spoke out. As the year progress, I got more and more talkative while continuing to have good grades and as this occurred I noticed that my bond with Ms. Tedeschi grew stronger. She has introduced me to many amazing opportunities such as the internship that is available in the high school, which I am now participating in with her. I’ve gotten two Pride Awards as a result of Ms. Tedeschi, including one for US History and one for the internship and have gained a whole lot of history knowledge. Overall, she has demonstrated how Huntington High School truly cares for its students.”

Ms. Tedeschi has nothing but praise for her student. “Danna is a unique young woman who values learning and demonstrates a true interest in the world around her,” the longtime faculty member said. “She has developed a strong sense of confidence with a charming attitude while working as a student intern. As a result of her natural leadership abilities, she is an excellent role model for other students and displays a mature approach to her responsibilities.”

Messrs. Liguori and Van Bell have been equally influential. “During my freshman and sophomore years when I had Mr. Van Bell for Living Environment Honors and Chemistry, I was encountering many  hardships,” Ms. Flores said. With COVID already being a hardship for everyone, I knew it wasn’t easy for Mr. Van Bell to go out of his way to try and help me get my grades up or to even let me continue to be in his classes as they were honors, which made it very meaningful to me to see the effort he put in, which he didn’t have to by any means.”

The teenager studied physics with Mr. Liguori last year. “His teaching method and what I believe to be his welcoming and very kind personality helped me to not only be able to express my need for help when I didn’t understand something, but also to see yet again just how much the teachers really care about their students,” Ms. Flores said. “His willingness to help no matter what the question was is what stood out to me and really made an impact and though it is his job to help, I found his willingness to re-explain a topic various times and in various different forms to ensure that we understand it and then later going on and helping students one on one with their issues really helped me a lot. My grades increased greatly and I got a Pride Award from him, which increased the confidence within myself, which is much needed, especially for the students who keep more to themselves.”

The senior continues to do very well academically. Ms. Flores notched an academic average in excess of 97 during the first marking period. She appears well on her way to accomplishing all of her goals.