Huntington Alums Unite at
SUNY Cortland
It's just like old times for three Huntington High School graduates who are now suitemates at SUNY Cortland.
Lauren Visbal (HHS '10), Megan Smith (HHS '10) and Emma Hayes-Hurley (HHS '11) are all studying on the Cortland campus and living in the same six-person housing suite. Each of the Huntington alums transferred into the upstate college.
Established in 1868, Cortland has 6,345 undergraduate and 753 graduate students on its 191-acre campus. "Emma and I transferred to Cortland at the same time," Ms. Visbal said. "Luckily, we were able to room together!"
Ms. Visbal is a graduate of Nassau Community College, where she earned an associate's degree. She is majoring in physical education at Cortland and plays on the club volleyball team. She is also a member of Cortland's physical education majors club.
Ms. Smith originally attended Towson University before transferring to Suffolk Community College after coming to the realization that the Maryland college was not the place for her. She is majoring in childhood education. She's a member of Cortland's education club and volunteer club, helping out at soup kitchens and sporting events.
Hayes-Hurley attended Binghamton University as a freshman after accepting a scholarship to play on the women's lacrosse team. She started seven of the 16 games in which she appeared, scoring eight goals and assisting on two others. The former Blue Devil star's 10 points put her seventh among the Bearcats. She fired off 18 shots, including 13 on goal, scooped up five ground balls, drew six charges and caused one turnover. Binghamton finished with a 3-13 record.
"Emma needed a change of scenery, so she decided to transfer to Cortland and play here," Visbal said. Cortland is ranked fourth in the NCAA Division III pre-season poll. Hayes-Hurley is majoring in fitness development and kinesiology.
The three Huntington alums are enjoying their experience at Cortland. "We are all living together in a suite and it's awesome," Ms. Visbal said.
Although the trio is now more than 250 miles away from home, they all feel a strong connection to their alma mater. "We love Huntington," Ms. Visbal said.