Weitzner Named
National Merit Finalist
Alexis Weitzner is one of the top seniors in America this year. The Huntington High School scholar was recently named a National Merit Finalist, placing her among an elite group of U.S. Class of 2013 members.
"I am so excited and proud to be a National Merit Finalist," Ms. Weitzner said. "Although there was a lot of work involved - it was basically like submitting an extra college application, it was definitely worth it because it's always rewarding to see your hard work pay off."
In the fall, Ms. Weitzner will begin classes at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. "After doing some research, I visited the campus last October and absolutely loved it," she said. "I applied Early Decision and got my acceptance letter in December. I'd like to give a huge thanks to Mrs. [Aimee] Antorino, Mrs. [Dame] Forbes and Mrs. [Bernadette] Walsh for writing my recommendations. Without them, my college application process wouldn't have been nearly as successful."
Despite having a wonderful high school experience, Ms. Weitzner is ready to leave her hometown and move on with her life. "As much as I've enjoyed my years at Huntington, I can't wait to head down to Vandy," she said. "As of now, I'm considering a double major in philosophy and psychology."
The senior's high school course selection gave rise to her possible college majors. "My interest in philosophy and psychology was sparked when I took them as electives in my freshman and junior years, respectively." Ms. Weitzner said. "The courses I took, both taught by Mr. [Peter] Crugnale, remain two of my favorite classes that I've ever taken. From the course material to the class discussions, Mr. Crugnale's classes were always interesting and thought-provoking, leaving me wanting to learn more."
Hopes to Attend Law School
After college, Ms. Weitzner hopes to attend law school "and eventually become a lawyer at a large firm like Morrison Foerster," she said. "I'm not sure what type of law yet, however I find intellectual property law and business/financial law intriguing."
A Stanford University law program last summer allowed Ms. Weitzner to get "a small taste of what the many different types of law were like and over the two weeks that I was there, I got to experience many different aspects of law, solidifying my decision to pursue law as a career," she said. "I did everything from settling civil cases with other 'lawyers' to prosecuting a 'murderer' in the actual San Francisco Superior Court. It was a great experience that really helped me decide what I want to do later on."
Ms. Weitzner is currently serving as the copy editor of The Dispatch, the high school's student newspaper. "It has been a great experience and I enjoy it so much that I'm considering a minor in journalism," she said. The teenager is also editing the senior class session of this year's edition of The Huntingtonian, the high school yearbook.
The teenager is the treasurer of the art honor society and an active member of the English honor society. Ms. Weitzner is helping to organize Huntington's annual spelling bee. "I participated in my sophomore year, but for the past two years I've helped with choosing the words and administering the tests to English classes," she said.
As a member of the math honor society, Ms. Weitzner recently assisted at Southdown School's Family Math Night, playing math games with students and helping them solve puzzles. She also belongs to the science honor society and Nathan Hale chapter of the National Honor Society at Huntington High School.
Taking Six AP Classes
Ms. Weitzner is enrolled is a well-rounded selection of classes this year, including AP Physics, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Microeconomics, AP Government, AP Statistics and business law.
"I am also taking AP 2D Design, which is quite different from my other AP classes," Ms. Weitzner said. "Instead of taking an exam in May, I'll be submitting a portfolio of my graphic work and photography to the College Board for them to review and score. There are two sections: concentration and breadth. For the concentration you submit 12 pieces that are related to each other and for the breadth you submit 12 pieces that show a variety of different techniques and skills."
Ms. Weitzner's diversified schedule of classes has served her well. "The art teachers that I've had at Huntington have been incredibly inspiring," she said. Both Ms. [Kasmira] Mohanty, who I've had for the past few years and Ms. [Pamela] Piffard, whose class I am in this year, are not only great teachers but great artists as well. Having the guidance of people who really know what they're doing has brought my work to a completely different level."
Ms. Weitzner takes a great deal of pride in being named a National Merit Finalist. She offered her thanks to Principal Carmela Leonardi and guidance counselor Catherine Croke for their letters of recommendation on her behalf.
"I can't even believe how much I've accomplished over the past four years, both academically and outside of school," Ms. Weitzner said. She has consistently earned a spot on the high honor roll while simultaneously balancing all of her extra-curricular activities.
An Accomplished Equestrian
The Huntington senior is an accomplished equestrian competitor, capturing third place in the country. She is a junior representative for the Long Island Professional Horsemen's Association (LIPHA), an organization that helps out at Long Island horse shows, presents awards and scholarships, hosts clinics to raise the quality of horsemanship on Long Island and gives aid to members in need.
As a junior representative, I attend all of the meetings and present the Junior Appreciation Award at the LIPHA dinner each year," Ms. Weitzner said. "The biggest highlight of my past four years was probably when I was third in my division at the 2011 Nationals. Horseback riding has definitely shaped the person that I've become over the past few years, teaching me responsibility, compassion and trust. It's truly a sport unlike any other; you don't have a whole team, but you're not solo either. You have a living, breathing partner that's ten times your size with a mind of its own."
The teenager is planning to ride in college on Vanderbilt's equestrian team and would like to continue riding even after college graduation.
Ambassador for JustWorld International
Ms. Weitzner is a junior ambassador for the United States for JustWorld International, an organization that provides basic education, nutrition, health, hygiene and vocational programs for underprivileged children in Third World countries through a variety of fundraisers.
"I became involved with JustWorld when I was in tenth grade through my horseback riding trainer, who is also a United States ambassador for the organization," Ms. Weitzner said. "Their program, 'Jump for a Just World,' unites riders from around the world in a common goal, bringing them together to do volunteer work and to host various fundraisers. I've met a lot of truly amazing people through JustWorld who really want to make a difference in the world. I hope to one day inspire someone else in the way these people have inspired me."
As she looks ahead to graduation and college, Ms. Weitzner is grateful for the love and support she has received along the way from her parents Steve Weitzner and Bev Allen-Weitzner. "Throughout everything; school, riding, the college application process, my parents have been so incredibly supportive," she said. "There's no way that I'd be where I am now or who I am now without them."