Huntington Latin Students Shine on National Stage

Students across the Huntington UFSD Latin language program are celebrating an exceptional achievement this year on the National Latin Exam, with an impressive two-thirds of participants earning national recognition.

A total of 43 students from J. Taylor Finley Middle School and Huntington High School chose to take this rigorous, voluntary exam—demonstrating both their commitment to academic excellence and their passion for the study of Latin. Of those students, 28 earned awards, a remarkable accomplishment that highlights the strength of the program.

The National Latin Exam assesses students at multiple levels, from introductory Latin to advanced coursework. Participants are challenged in a wide range of skills, including vocabulary, reading comprehension, grammatical awareness, and knowledge of Roman history and mythology. Students who excel are recognized with distinctions ranging from Cum Laude to Magna Cum Laude and Maxima Cum Laude (Silver Medal), culminating in the prestigious Summa Cum Laude (Gold Medal).

The high number of participants alone is noteworthy, as the exam is entirely optional. Even more impressive is the extraordinary percentage of students who earned awards, placing Huntington students among the top Latin scholars nationwide.

Latin teacher Kristin Fortunato praised her students’ dedication and achievements. “I am incredibly proud of all of my students for the hard work and determination they have shown throughout the year,” Ms. Fortunato said. “Their willingness to challenge themselves by taking this exam—and their success in doing so—speaks volumes about their commitment and perseverance. These results are truly something to celebrate.”

The success of Huntington’s students reflects not only individual effort, but also the continued growth and excellence of the district’s Latin program. From middle school beginners to advanced high school scholars, students are building strong language skills while connecting with the history and culture of the ancient world.

A full list of student award winners is as follows:

Gold Summa Cum Laude Award Winners:

Sutter Flynn, Annabelle Donovan, Jade Ingram, Heath Patti, Brianna Zavala Reyes, Anthony Centrone, Cole Lima

Silver Maxima Cum Laude Award Winners:

Behan England, Daniela Andrade Bonilla, Annabel Cassatto, Olivia Puccio, Kaylee Mata, Katherine Gordon, Luis Orrego Salinas

Magna Cum Laude Award Winners:

Zackary Smith, Kevin Harris, Darcy Rimkunas, Hennie England, Bryce Gilroy, Nataly Posada Lopez, Chloe Donovan

Cum Laude Award Winners:

Shelby Patti, Dante Valentin, Cormac Driscoll, Zachary Vidota, Shealyn Gilroy, Samuel Klaaren, Mark Ingram