Shannon Lee Connors is Huntington’s 2008 Salutatorian
Shannon Lee Connors is headed to Yale University in the fall but first the Huntington High School senior will give a speech to classmates at the school’s commencement exercises in June as the Class of 2008’s salutatorian. She’s earned the right by way of her stellar academic performance.
Ms. Connors, who is interested in studying international relations in college, is part of a class that’s chock full of admirable, intelligent, insightful young women and men. But, to a large extent, she has separated herself from the pack.
“Shannon Lee Connors is the quintessential student,” said Bernadette Walsh, the high school college counselor. “She is a scholar. She is a leader. She is a positive influence among her peers. A young woman on the brink of adulthood, she has developed her global, tolerant views through many avenues, including her class work, social experiences in our very diverse high school and various summer institutes, including the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth. Living and learning for three weeks each summer with young men and women from across the country has given Shannon the perspective necessary to see various sides of an issue.”
Not all situations are “black and white” whether simple ones on the local level or complicated global issues. “The vast gray area is what Shannon wrestles with,” Ms. Walsh said. “She is a defender of the underdog. For instance, during the summer of 2006, Shannon enrolled in a class entitled Islam through the CTY program at Dickinson College. However, learning and studying the Islamic culture was not enough for her. In order to truly understand Islam, Shannon felt she needed to live Islam. And thus, she donned the traditional hijab. Walking through the Dickinson cafeteria, dressed head to toe as a Muslim woman, quite a brave step for this Caucasian-Catholic young lady, Shannon felt the stares of bewilderment and confusion. Knowing full well that her dress might cause controversy, Shannon took it upon herself to explain to her peers that in order to bridge cultures, empathy must be prevalent.”
Stepping into the shoes of others to gain insight into differences is part and parcel of who and what Ms. Connors is. She’s known as a strong and ambitious young woman who exhibits a measured point of view on a daily basis.
“Shannon is a mature young lady,” Principal Carmela Leonardi said. “She excels in all that she undertakes. For the past two years, she has been one of the student representatives on the Shared Decision Making Committee. As one of the committee’s permanent members I have gained an appreciation for her quick thinking and refreshing sense of humor.”
Widely respected by faculty and students, Ms. Connors has left a real mark on Huntington. “Shannon has great ambition and has demonstrated her buoyant spirit from day one,” Ms. Walsh said.
A passionate participant in numerous clubs, as a junior, Ms. Connors served as a National History Day officer and submitted a historical paper in the annual contest that earned second place at the Long Island regional finals, qualifying her as a presenter at the state championship.
Co-founder of the school’s environmental club, Ms. Connors has also served as a voice for fellow students with building administrators and teachers, helping to shape various policies and procedures.
In addition to her responsibilities as a member of the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, English Honor Society and the National Honor Society, Shannon is also the co-editor-in-chief of The Dispatch, Huntington’s student newspaper.
In the annals of history, Ms. Connors will go down as one Huntington High School’s best students. She’ll cap off a fabulous four years with a speech on Friday night, June 27. The school community will be all ears.
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