Huntington senior Taylor Nappi is headed to Syracuse University.
Huntington senior Taylor Nappi is headed to Syracuse University.

Senior Taylor Nappi Chooses Syracuse University

May 22, 2025

Taylor Nappi has enjoyed a spectacular four year run through Huntington High School where she has achieved so much both in and out of the classroom. The senior plans to study photography and art education at Syracuse University in the fall as she enthusiastically opens a new chapter in her life.

Huntington senior Taylor Nappi

Recognized as a Distinguished Senior after excelling academically during every semester of high school, Ms. Nappi is a bright, energetic, articulate and creative young woman. She has especially shined as a photographer, reaching new heights in her Advanced Placement Photography course.

The “sustained investigation” portion of her final project offers insight into her artistic theme and ideas. Ms. Nappi’s work was praised by Huntington photographer teacher Pamela Piffard.

“Within my SI, I explored the question ‘How can I depict the transition between childhood and adulthood through a series of images?’” Ms. Nappi said. “The teenage years are often filled with confusion and emotional conflict. How do you give up youth when it's all you have ever known? How do you become an adult when you also still feel like a child? How do you handle adult expectations and still embrace the carefree side of yourself? Through my work I expressed universal emotions of this transition by investigating concepts such as vulnerability, uncertainty, longing, search for identity and clarity about the future.”

Ms. Nappi is a very hard worker and she devoted an enormous amount of time perfecting her project and the images she chose to include in it.

“In my SI, I let my own experiences guide my work,” Ms. Nappi said. “In image No. 1, I created a dark birthday to show a reluctance to age. In image No. 2, I revised my idea to be celebratory and accept time progression. Images No. 4 and No. 6 explore ideas of identity & expectations. Images No. 7 and No. 8 show a desire to hold onto youth. Images No. 9 and No. 10 explore our many sides and how we change over time. Images No. 11, No. 12 and No. 13 investigate teen angst and how we question who we are & our relationships. Finally in image No. 15 we find solace in moving on. Each image is unique but they fit my AP in a strange way because they were all creations of a confused mind.”

Ms. Nappi interned over the past year with local professional photographer Darin Reed as well as high school English teacher Aimee Antorino. The two internships opened up new avenues for personal growth.

“I’m so proud of Taylor for the honesty and emotional depth in her series on growing up,” Ms. Piffard said. “Each image captures the beauty and complexity of change with such maturity and intention.”

The teenager high school highlights include serving as president of GSA and stage crew, managing the girls’ varsity flag football team and being a member of the National Honor Society, Art Honor Society, Social Studies Honor Society, Tri-M Honor Society and Interact Club.

“The key to my success has been finding ways to involve creativity and the things I love into all of my work,” Ms. Nappi said. “By doing this, I’ve been able to better engage with the material and form stronger connections to what I’m learning. This approach has not only helped me retain information but also pushed me to discover more unique ways to present knowledge.”

Ms. Nappi has won many awards for her photography and her artwork has been chosen to appear at several exhibits. But at Huntington High School, she has really achieved across all disciplines.

“I’ve especially enjoyed exploring different subjects and courses to figure our what best fits my interests, which forming meaningful bonds with peers through clubs and activities,” Ms. Nappi said.