Huntington Senior is Going Places
Mary-Liz O'Neill is going places. The Huntington High School senior is headed to Julliard in the fall as a vocal performance major, but that's just the start.
Ms. O'Neill has compiled an impressive set of achievements and honors and the already lengthy list has grown even longer in recent weeks. She was honored at Julliard's pre-college program graduation this spring as one of only ten senior achievement award recipients, and the only one in voice.
At last month's Long Island Scholar Artist Awards ceremony, Ms. O'Neill was the only scholar artist invited to perform for the entire auditorium of arts educators, dignitaries and parents. "She was one of only 20 students from all across Long Island to win the Scholar Artist Award," said Joan R. Fretz, Huntington's district director of fine and performing arts.
The Huntington senior recently earned the top award worth $2,500 in the annual Otto Kahn OHEKA Scholarship program. Ms. O'Neill's classmate, talented pianist and University of Delaware bound Natasha Stollmach also won a Kahn scholarship.
The Huntington Men's Chorus bestowed its annual $1,000 vocal performance scholarship on Ms. O'Neill, too. The scholarship was created to encourage a promising young singer to continue to perform.
"Mary-Liz completed an internship with Huntington choral director Veronica Mainville this year, serving as a vocal coach and assistant director with the choral classes at the high school," Mrs. Fretz said.
At Huntington High School's spring concert, the talented senior conducted a medley of songs from the Broadway musical "Wicked "She conducted a medley of songs from the Broadway musical, "Wicked."
"Mary-Liz is an exceptionally talented young woman," Superintendent John J. Finello said. "She has enjoyed a fabulous four years at Huntington High School. All of us are excited for her as she moves on to Julliard. We are sure that Mary-Liz has many bright days ahead."