A Great Experience for Ally Kiley
Alexandra Kiley didn't start her formal schooling in the Huntington School District but she has finished up strong here, graduating Friday evening near the top of Huntington High School's Class of 2011. She is headed to Harvard College in the fall.
"The Huntington School District has treated me well since I transferred from St. Patrick's in fourth grade," Ms. Kiley said. "Stepping into my classroom at Huntington Intermediate was like stepping into a whole new world. That was the year when I set myself on the path that I would follow throughout my time in school."
It's been a great ride for the senior and Ms. Kiley sees only positives in her classmates and friends. They have all helped each other in different ways and created a steady stream of memories.
"The valedictorian and salutatorian have tutored me in math," Ms. Kiley said. "I've sung with a girl who is off to filling opera houses and acted with a boy bound for Broadway. I've had two future vets available for whenever I need guidance. I've learned from a boy who'll be the next great inventor/artist/businessman. And I walk down the halls and see people who will be just as successful as these examples every day."
Beginning as a fourth grader and continuing right through her senior year, Ms. Kiley has participated in the drama club and student council. "Even though I was the new kid, I ran for fourth grade vice president during my first month," the teenager said. "Not surprisingly, I lost but I had the opportunity to be involved as my home room representative. By sixth grade I was secretary and since I loved it so much student government has been an activity I've stuck with."
GO President
Ms. Kiley served as high school G.O. president this year and helped bring the organization to new heights with her ideas and enthusiasm. "The past three years, as a class officer, my advisers have been Ms. [Lori] Kenny and Ms. [Eliana] Oranges, the senior said. "Though I didn't work with them as much this year because of G.O., our relationship has stayed strong."
In each of the past four years, Ms. Kiley has helped coordinate Huntington's breast cancer awareness walk, which has generated thousands of dollar for the American Cancer Society. "This cause has personally affected my life and Ms. Kenny and Ms. Oranges have always been so amazing with helping us officers run that event in addition to everything else."
Ms. Kiley will always remember the two teachers-class advisors for their good work. "I know our prom wouldn't have been so amazing without them to help us earn money, decorate or even just offer kind words of encouragement," Ms. Kiley said. "I will definitely miss those two incredible ladies next year and our jokes and venting sessions when the work got tough."
Drama Club Her Other Love
Drama club has been Ms. Kiley's "other love" throughout high school. "Since I was a singing tree in 'Into to Woods' as a fourth grader, I've been enamored," she said. "The first play I tried out for in high school was 'Arsenic and Old Lace.' I prepared hard for my audition, researched the play, had an awesome callback, but got cut. Luckily for me, Mr. [Michael] Schwendemann offered me the position of understudy when a cast member was diagnosed with mono. Giving me that position was one of the best things that anyone has ever done for me."
Ms. Kiley said every drama club member feels the "family" aspect of the group, which has been nurtured by Mr. Schwendemann, an English teacher at the school and the drama club advisor.
"In those late nights in the auditorium I met some of my best friends, my boyfriend, and an incredible mentor in Mr. Schwendemann," Ms. Kiley said. "I'm glad that he saw something in that little 'invisible mute' from 'Arsenic' because this year I played my dream part in 'The Skin of Our Teeth.' As Lily Sabina, the family maid to the Antrobuses and the 'Miss Atlantic City' winner, I spoke a three page monologue, wore a bathing suit on stage, screamed, cried, laughed and engaged in suspect cabana activities, which rendered some raised eyebrows."
Although she's loved the drama club, Ms. Kiley doesn't intend to pursue an acting career, but she might not be too far from the stage. "I'd love to do something in the theater industry," she said. "Last summer I commuted to the city and worked a 40 hour week at Telsey & Co., one of Broadway's largest casting agencies. I sat in on auditions for Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theater productions. It was an incredible experience that opened my eyes to career options and allowed me to meet amazing people and even some celebrities!"
Girl Scout Gold Award Winner
Outside of school, Ms. Kiley has been busy, too. She earned her Gold Award from the Girl Scouts this year after completing more than 65 hours of community service creating a library for the Tri-CYA. The senior collected, catalogued and organized a library that now stands at over 800 books, thanks to Ms. Kiley. She has participated in Girl Scouts since pre-kindergarten.
As much as Ms. Kiley has excelled in extra-curricular activities, she's been even better in her academic classes. "I wouldn't have gotten into Harvard if I didn't love my classes too," she said.
Ms. Kiley's favorite subject has always been history. "It sounds silly but I actually used to love studying for A.P. U.S. History last year," she said. "Though I had Mr. [James] Graber again for economics this year, I didn't think that would be enough. I signed up to be Mr. Graber's U.S. History intern this year. I had a lot of fun running evening study sessions with his students at the public library before tests."
The senior and the veteran social studies hit it off. "Mr. Graber challenged me by assigning a documentary project about suburbanization in Huntington," Ms. Kiley said. "I conducted interviews and did a lot of research, but the hardest part was using a video camera for the first time."
Chemistry "Worst" Subject
The teenager took AP Chemistry last year and Ms. Kiley said what was her "worst subject" ultimately "became one of my favorite classes. With only 11 kids in the class, we all became really close, suffering through the same challenging material. Ms. [Dame] Forbes and my classmates helped me do well on the A.P. exam and I felt so accomplished at the end if my year."
"I've never been bored by my classes at Huntington High School," Ms. Kiley said. "Each of my teachers has found some new way to challenge me from my first (12 page) research paper as a freshman in Mr. Schwendemann's theater arts class to Ms. [Kelly] Quintero's outside reading assignments, which inspired me to read some books that really influenced me in 12th grade AP Literature."
People Stand Out Most
The senior said she has "loved" all of her high school activities, "but the people that I've met stand out the most," Ms. Kiley said. As the clock has ticked down to graduation, the teenager has had time to reflect on her experiences.
"This senior year, I've seen my class branch out and pull together a lot," Ms. Kiley said. "I won't say that we're all always on the same page because, in all honesty, that's rarely the case. But, I will say that I couldn't ask for a better group to graduate with. With our incredible Play Fest and other activities, I've realized how talented, smart, funny and nice people are here. It sounds corny, I know, but I'm consistently surprised by Huntington students. I'm so happy to have met such supportive friends. My boyfriend, Louie Contino has been especially supportive of me, helping me with all of my endeavors from college applications to student government functions - impressive considering that he's just as busy as I am."
Looking back over the past four years, "in total, I couldn't have asked for a better high school experience," Ms. Kiley said. "I've met great people, traveled the globe, headed meetings and had fun!"