Megan Hansen a Nature Loving Environmentalist
Megan Hansen is not one for pretenses. The Huntington High School senior is very secure in her own skin. She tells it like it is.
"Basically, I'm a Huntington-born, nature-loving environmentalist who loves heavy metal music and being her unusual self," Ms. Hansen said. "That's me in a nutshell and I'm proud of it."
The teenager is one of the top members of Huntington's Class of 2013. Some of her leading college choices are Dartmouth, Ithaca, Colgate, Dickinson and Middlebury. "I am still waiting to hear from many of them," Ms. Hansen said. She's already been accepted to Ithaca and Skidmore with merit scholarships as well as Binghamton University.
"Before high school, it was never really clear to me what path I wanted to go down as far as a career," Ms. Hansen said. "After a while, it finally hit me; environmental science. I had always been intrigued by nearly all the fields of science and in the seventh grade had spontaneously acquired a great love for the environment, which has grown exponentially since then."
It was as a seventh grader that Ms. Hansen penned a letter to the Huntington School Board requesting the district stop using Styrofoam trays in its cafeterias. While her campaign ultimately failed to elicit the response she sought, her persistence led trustees to recognize the teenager and garnered an article about Ms. Hansen and her letter on the district website.
Pursues Science Research
Upon beginning her studies at Huntington High School, Ms. Hansen enrolled in the elective science research course and she continued with the class throughout the past four years. "The class certainly takes a lot of work, dedication, patience and ability to give up large portions of sleeping time when necessary, but it's totally worth it in my opinion," the senior said.
In each of the past four years, Ms. Hansen has developed an experiment that revolved around the environment in one way or another. "Environmentalism permeates into other aspects of my life," she said. "For instance, some of the music I listen to, particularly by my favorite singer, Serj Tankian, is inspired by connections with nature and the environment." Her favorite bands also include Metallica, Dream Theater, System of a Down and Tool.
The senior's four research projects are all intriguing. "In ninth grade my project was a continuation of trying to find a cheaper and eco-friendly alternative to Styrofoam trays," Ms. Hansen said. "In tenth grade I switched gears to modifying solar panels to make them more efficient. For the summer of 2010, I took part in a 2½ week-long internship in Massachusetts sponsored by the Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition. This research, which was more human-health oriented, was my focus for the entire 11th grade year, and that fall I went to a national science conference in Cincinnati to present my research. This year I partnered up with two great fellow students to research the harmful effects of the invasive plant garlic mustard. I had never anticipated how much fun research could be with partners."
An Artist, too
Ms. Hansen also incorporates her environmental consciousness into being an artist, which is another passion. "I work with various media and often re-use or recycle old things to become new creations," she said. "For example, I'll take an old dress and make a cosplay costume out of it or take apart a necklace and use the beads for something else. I hope to minor in art in college."
Among the teenager's senior year courses are AP English, AP Government and Economics, AP Calculus and Honors Physics. "I love all my teachers, of course, but the two that I have bonded with most closely over the years I've been here are my research science teacher, Mrs. [Lori] Kenny and my fashion design teacher, Mrs. [Amy] Worth."
Ms. Hansen's most memorable high school experiences include being in the district's many art shows and music concerts and attending a long list of science research competitions. "I have had many other great memories as well, ranging from the end of my ninth grade year when I was asked to the prom at the last minute by the guy with whom I remain in a close relationship today to about two weeks ago when my physics class went outside to go sledding for a lab activity," she said.
The senior assisted the Blue Devil marching band with its 2013 show, "Dreams." Using hula-hoops, duct tape, rope, tennis balls and some feathers, Ms. Hansen created several of the giant dream-catchers the band used in its performance. "I did it for the pure enjoyment of helping out the band, of which my brother, Kyle is a member," she said. "He is very passionate about being in the band and I hope he is able to eventually accomplish his goal of becoming drum major."
Advice for Freshmen
Ms. Hansen has four pieces of advice for incoming Huntington High School freshmen: "First, take your work seriously, but not too seriously to the point where you go insane," she said. "Second, make sure you have a USB flash drive; they can come in handy pretty often, like if you need to print something before school or more time to work on an in-class assignment at home. Third, parties aren't everything. I've been in high school for four years and I can probably count the number of parties I've been to on one hand. Lastly, don't ever take high school drama too seriously. Ever since I completely disassociated myself from that stuff my happiness in life has increased tremendously."
Ms. Hansen has a loyal group of friends and an admiring set of teachers. She has carved out a fine record for herself over the past four years, but soon it will be time to move on.
"Although I am very excited to begin the next chapter of my life by going away to college, I will miss all of the wonderful teachers I have encountered throughout the years and the friends I have made as well," Ms. Hansen said.