Love at First Sight for Danielle Cerezo
It was love at first sight for Danielle Cerezo. The Huntington High School senior has enjoyed her scholastic surroundings from her first day of classes and is closing out four great years filled with an endless array of achievements, good times and memories.
"When I first stepped inside the building, I knew immediately that I would love it," Ms. Cerezo said. "I was going into high school with a fantastic group of friends, and I'll soon be leaving with an even better one. My various classes allowed me to rekindle old friendships and develop new ones over the years."
Like most seniors she has a list of colleges she is interested in attending next fall. At the top of the list is Colgate University. "I visited this year with my best friend and her father and the campus made a huge impression on me," Ms. Cerezo said. "Everyone that we met was extremely friendly and everywhere we looked there was something beautiful to see." She's also considering Ithaca College, Boston University, SUNY Geneseo, Binghamton University, and several others. She plans to major in biology.
Her career goal is to become a veterinarian. "I've always loved helping animals and my internship at Fort Hill Animal Hospital helped me to realize my calling," Ms. Cerezo said. "When I went in, I had no idea what to expect. I thought that I would be helping out in the kennel or sitting in on appointments. I did all that and I watched surgeries as well, which was interesting, to say the least. It was a rewarding and educational experience that paid off well in regards to my career."
The teenager said she has a list of favorite classes and teachers along with a particular fondness for the school's drama club and its productions. Ms. Cerezo is a hard working student who is serious about academics and is highly regarded by high school faculty members. She has developed strong relationships with a number of teachers.
Schwendemann One of the Best
"I would have to say that Mr. [Michael] Schwendemann has been one of the best," Ms. Cerezo said about Huntington's popular English teacher and drama club advisor. "Not only is he a wonderful teacher, but he is an excellent mentor and director. As a student director, I spend a lot of time collaborating with him for the show, which has been a wonderful experience. When I had him for theatre arts in ninth grade, he was so entertaining and inviting that I took to him immediately. We've been close ever since."
Science teachers Lori Pyzocha Kenny and Deborah Beck have "contributed" to Ms. Cerezo's desire to major in biology in college. "They are both so enthusiastic about teaching and are so committed to their students that they made me really want to learn about their courses," said.
The senior has been enrolled in honors and Advanced Placement courses throughout high school and they are among her favorite classes. "They are challenging and interesting, which is why I love them so much," Ms. Cerezo said.
The senior has participated in drama club activities since fourth grade. It's her main "thing" as far as extracurricular activities. It's a standing joke among its members that the high school drama club is a "dysfunctional family" and Ms. Cerezo readily agrees.
"The family part stems from spending 200-plus hours together twice a year," she said. "The dysfunctional part comes from each member who brings their own special something to the group. Personally, I brought my leadership skills to the table. Since my freshman year, I've participated in seven shows. Four of those shows saw me on the stage as an actor, but for last year's musical, I decided to try out student directing. Surprisingly, I was good at it."
The club will stage the musical "Carousel" next spring. It will mark Ms. Cerezo's third production as the student director. "I am so excited to be a part of the experience again, but there is a constant sadness since I will be saying goodbye to everyone this year," she said. "Drama club will be one of the things that I'll miss most when I leave for college."
Photography an Outlet
Photography is another outlet that has allowed Ms. Cerezo to thrive. "Taking film last year led me to discover my love for taking photos," she said. "My friends have been very enthusiastic about this, since they are usually the ones starring in my work. I love being able to express myself through a lens, since it allows me to put a face to what I'm feeling."
She's a member of the yearbook club and is physically editing this year's edition of The Huntingtonian. "I receive the proofs and check every page for spelling and grammar mistakes," Ms. Cerezo said. "I love it because it ensures that there are little to no mistakes in the finished product, which is something I'm proud of."
The teenager is treasurer of the Class of 2011 as well as the drama club, serves as president of Grandfriends and is the historian of the National Honor Society chapter. She has a hand in several other clubs, too, "which are all rewarding in their own way," Ms. Cerezo said.
The senior is fully aware her time at Huntington High School is nearing an end. "It will be a bittersweet goodbye, I am sure, but I am extremely excited to open this new chapter in my life," Ms. Cerezo said. "I hope to come back often, so I won't consider it a farewell, merely a 'see you soon.'"