SEPTA Presents Awards to Seniors
Jeffly Jean-Baptiste and Luis Lopez left their respective marks on Huntington High School in a variety of ways, including in the classroom. The district’s Special Education PTA awarded $1,500 scholarships to the pair of Class of 2010 members in recognition of a job well-done.
SEPTA’s annual award is presented to students who demonstrate outstanding citizenship, set high personal goals, achieve at the highest levels and always strive to do their best, according to Ted Glass, high school special education chairperson.
Teacher Jennifer Bruno called Mr. Lopez “a very deserving recipient” of the scholarship award. “I first met Luis in his freshman year at Huntington High School,” she said. “He won my heart almost immediately with his ability to always make everyone around him smile. Luis always impressed me and his other teachers with his determination to do well with his school work and extra-curricular activities. In his senior year he became an even harder worker and improved his focus. He has chosen challenging assignments and has built his confidence in his academic abilities.”
Teacher Irene Woll said Mr. Jean-Baptiste “is one of the hardest working students I have ever encountered in my many years working at Huntington High School. He is a highly motivated and goal-driven individual, despite numerous obstacles to his success.”
Mr. Jean-Baptiste’s parents are immigrants from Haiti who speak only Creole. “He has overcome many educational obstacles that made learning to read, write and speak English a constant struggle,” Ms. Woll said. “Despite it all, he is determined to make it in life. He continuously sets new goals and then fully applies himself until they are accomplished.”
To help prepare for the English Regents and the SAT, Mr. Jean-Baptiste “bought himself a writing guide and spent countless weekends composing essays to improve his writing skills,” Ms. Woll said. “He would seek me out on a daily basis to conference with him about his writing. In all his classes, he is always the first one in the room, eager to speak with his teachers about what else he can do to improve himself and his grades.”
The SEPTA scholarships were presented to the pair at the annual senior academic awards night held in the high school auditorium just prior to graduation.
Over the years, Mr. Lopez became “a strong leader in the classroom,” Ms. Bruno said. “He has proven to himself and his peers that study and hard work really do pay-off. He intends to begin class as Nassau Community College in the fall and later transfer to SUNY College at Farmingdale for a bachelor’s degree program. Mr. Lopez is interested in pursuing either a business management or paralegal studies major.
Mr. Jean-Baptiste is also planning to attend Nassau Community College and enroll in courses in computer repair. He hopes to ultimately get involved in video game design.
“Jeffly is an exceptionally polite and respectful young man,” Ms. Woll said. “Whenever he finishes his work, he is happy to assist other students who are struggling. He serves as a role model to his fellow classmates.”
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