Senior Duo Shares National School Development Award
July 22, 2024
Mary Marinello and Carlos Gutierrez Castro are two of the most remarkable members of Huntington High School’s Class of 2024. The exceptional duo has been named this year’s recipients of the National School Development Council Awards for Academic Growth and Student Leadership in Learning.
Admired by classmates and teachers alike, the pair will be sorely missed next year when each begins pursuit of a new set of goals at their respective colleges.
The National School Development Council is a confederation of school study or development councils located across the country.
“The National School Development Council embodies the philosophic and operational tenets of the school study and development council movement,” states the organization’s website. “Each of these regional, state, or county-based councils is, in turn, an association of local school systems that work together; usually in conjunction with one or more institutions of higher learning on matters of common concern.”
Huntington Deputy Superintendent Christopher J. Hender presented the teenagers with this year’s awards during the high school’s senior scholarship awards ceremony in the high school auditorium. Mr. Hender presented Ms. Marinello and Mr. Gutierrez with certificates and gift cards.
The two award recipients were both recognized as Distinguished Seniors after compiling academic grade averages in excess of 90 during every semester of high school.
Ms. Marinello will be attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Mr. Gutierrez plans to study at Farmingdale State College.
A Long Island Arts Alliance Scholar Artist Award honoree who was profiled in Newsday, Ms. Marinello is an accomplished ballerina. President of Huntington High School’s Latin Honor Society, the teenager is an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. She plans to study chemistry at UNC Chapel Hill.
Mr. Gutierrez has also sparkled academically as well as athletically. One of the top goal scorers in the county, he helped lead the Blue Devil varsity boys’ soccer team to the Suffolk finals last fall. An incredibly competitive player, he is also a gifted leader, commanding the respect of his teammates and coaches. His bright smile, friendly nature and encouraging personality endeared him to everyone around the high school.
