Scarlet Bardales Wins Lions Club Scholarship
The Huntington Lions Club believes so strongly in Scarlet Bardales' future potential that it has awarded the Huntington High School Class of 2013 member a $5,000 scholarship. She is headed to St. Joseph's College in Patchogue to study biology.
"Scarlet is one of those students that you just know is going to make it through life and accomplish something extraordinary," said Bernadette Walsh, Huntington High School's college counselor. "She has a gift of working with people, cutting through the nonsense of life and making well-thought-out decisions."
Huntington Lions Club President John DeLorenzo presented the scholarship to Ms. Bardales during senior academic awards night in the Huntington High School auditorium. Mr. DeLorenzo said the award will result in a multi-year relationship between the Lions Club and the new Huntington grad, with periodic meetings as well as employment advice and assistance.
The mission of Lions Clubs International is "to empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs."
Ms. Bardales moved to the United States from Honduras when she was four years old. Speaking only Spanish and previously sheltered within the Honduran culture and traditions, Ms. Bardales began her assimilation into American society as a Huntington kindergarten student, quickly learning how to speak, read and write English.
"Scarlet delighted in the world of books and learning and made rapid academic progress," Mrs. Walsh said. "I am proud to say that Scarlet will be the first member of her family to attend college and what's more, she can't wait!"
In the classroom, Ms. Bardales is known to prod and challenge, seeking and finding alternative solutions to problems posed by her teachers. "Nothing gets by her," Mrs. Walsh said. "She is a skillful roadblock remover. Our faculty unanimously accords her the respect given a scholar and a fine human being."
The teenager received several Pride Awards at Huntington High School in recognition of her tenacity and positive attitude. "Some students can tackle high school courses with ease," Mrs. Walsh said. "Scarlet has learned how to learn; a lesson she will take with her as far as she chooses to travel in education and in life. Teachers comment that she is a delight to have in class. Scarlet is the student you look forward to teaching because of her enthusiasm and love of learning."
Ms. Bardales has volunteered with the Huntington Interfaith Housing Initiative, a local initiative that provides food and shelter for the homeless in the community. The teenager spent many Monday evenings participating in HIHI, serving food, cleaning up the room, socializing with homeless people and playing card games with them.
"Huntington High School is not your ordinary suburban high school," Mrs. Walsh said. "We are made up of a group of people diverse in every way possible; racially, ethnically, socio-economically. Scarlet is as unique as our high school community is."
The eldest of two daughters, Ms. Bardales has helped care for her younger sister while her mother works to support the family. She has handled such responsibilities as grocery shopping, cooking, laundry, taking her sister off the school bus in the afternoon and helping her sister with her homework.
"Scarlet is a multifaceted young lady who has truly been an asset to our high school," Mrs. Walsh said. "She has a sensitive perspective, an empathetic ear and is respected by all. To be respected by all of your peers is a great accomplishment at Huntington High School because it means that you have been able to cut across all of the layers of distinction and accept people just for who they are. Scarlet has been able to achieve this. She does not have to work at it, it is simply who she is. She will carry this mantra of acceptance and tolerance throughout her life. Scarlet is a winner."