Huntington's 2007 Valedictorian is a Harvard Grad
Huntington High School's Class of 2007 valedictorian, Matthew Rienzo graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in May with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, physics and mathematics and a master's degree in chemistry.
The Huntington alum is far from finished with his formal education. He will soon begin studying at prestigious California Institute of Technology (Caltech) for a Ph.D. in chemistry.
At Huntington, Mr. Rienzo was named a National Merit scholarship finalist and earned an AP Scholar with Distinction Award, as well as winning Suffolk music, math and science honors. He was a semi-finalist in the National Chemistry Olympiad and was chosen to participate in the national chemistry camp in Colorado in the weeks following his graduation.
Mr. Rienzo graduated from Huntington with a 105.1 grade point average. At the 2007 commencement, he gave a humorous, inspirational and sensitive valedictory address to a standing room only crowd of classmates, parents, friends and teachers.
During his high school years, Mr. Rienzo was a member of Huntington's math team and the competitive marching band, where he was a clarinet section leader. He was captain of the fencing team, a member of the National Honor Society, Math Honor Society and wind ensemble and a copy editor for the school newspaper, The Dispatch.
During his 2007 valedictory address, Mr. Rienzo poked fun at himself, at one point telling classmates, "I am certain that the last thing you all want at this moment is a long-winded, inspirational rant delivered by some fancy-pants academic. I may be doomed as the latter in your eyes, but let me at least try to make this as painless as possible."
Mr. Rienzo has previously given credit to a number of his Huntington High School teachers, including Doris Quintilian and Kathy Aufiero for introducing him to calculus and Dame Forbes, Deborah Beck and Thomas Masone for "spurring" his interest in the sciences.
At the closing of his valedictory address in June 2007, he gave his friends a bit of advice. "One day, each of us will find his or her niche, and flourish like a blooming sunflower," Mr. Rienzo said that day. "But keep in mind that a sunflower, once it blooms, ceases to trace its daily arc across the sky. It remains motionless, beautiful, but static. So, do not squander these years of flexibility and youth. Try new things that interest you, meet new people, and keep an open mind to new opportunities that might come your way."