It's about the Journey for
Courtney Lawrence
Courtney Lawrence is an enthusiastic, upbeat and entirely pleasant young woman who is among the top students in Huntington High School's Class of 2013.
The senior has pursued advanced studies and participated in a variety of activities all of which has provided Ms. Lawrence a very well-rounded educational experience. As of now, she is planning to major in engineering at Temple University in Philadelphia. "I haven't heard back from all of my schools yet, but so far that's the one," the teenager said. "I also want to be able to travel to the world and experience all different cultures."
Ms. Lawrence has been a student in the district since kindergarten when she was in teacher Joanne Tures' class at Washington Primary School. A district-wide reorganization sent her to Southdown Primary School the following year. The transition was seamless and she has been on a roll ever since.
In her freshman and sophomore years, Ms. Lawrence played high school basketball and softball. "My favorite part about being on sports teams is how everyone works hard and works together," she said. "I really enjoyed them, but over the summer going into junior year, I started my job at Southdown Marketplace and have been there ever since. I love how I got to meet new people from other school districts and I made some great friendships."
Ms. Lawrence's senior year courses include Advanced Photo, Participation in Government, AP Environmental Science, AP Statistics and chorus, a pursuit that has led her to work with high school teacher and choral director Veronica Mainville.
"It's definitely upsetting that this will be my last year in chorus, since I love to sing and Mrs. Mainville is incredible and has helped me tremendously throughout my four years at the high school," Ms. Lawrence said. "It was great being there for the first year she taught at the high school because we were all ready for the adventure together."
Ms. Lawrence's favorite classes have been photography with teacher Pamela Piffard and chemistry with teacher Ed Florea. She also loved working with Joan Lehnert, a high school math teacher who retired last June. The teenager is popular with her classmates and highly regarded by Huntington's faculty members.
"Ms. Piffard is so inspiring and such a talented photographer that it's amazing to have her feedback and advice so accessible," Ms. Lawrence said. The teacher is known to form strong bonds with her students, who regularly produce award winning work.
"Mr. Florea sparked my interest in science and it was a class that I was excited to go to everyday," Ms. Lawrence said about her experience with the teacher. "He is very down to earth and easy to talk to."
A high school highlight came when Ms. Lawrence traveled to Greece as a sophomore with Education First Tours. The private trip included several dozen teenagers. Ms. Piffard was one of the chaperones for the journey, which was not sponsored by the school district.
"The best part was being able to have my close friends beside me," Ms. Lawrence said about the trip to Europe. "We also have plans to go to Belize this June!"
One of Ms. Lawrence's most memorable high school experiences came last June at the Relay For Life. "I was amazed at how everyone in the community came together to raise money and bond together," she said. "I am so pleased we are doing it again this year!"
It won't be long before the senior strolls onto the commencement day stage and is handed her high school diploma. A new crop of more than 300 high school students will replace the Class of 2013 next September.
"My advice to incoming freshmen would be to make sure you're not taking on too much," Ms. Lawrence said. "You don't have to have your whole life planned out. Living in the moment is part of the adventure. It's not about the destination; it's about the journey."