Stafford and Coneys Garner Prestigious Book Award
Exceptional Huntington High School English students Michael Stafford and Elizabeth Coneys have each garnered the St. Michael's College Book Award for Academic Achievement with Social Conscience.
The St. Michael's Award recognizes outstanding students who demonstrate a commitment to volunteerism and leadership in their community service endeavors. Two junior Advanced Placement English students (one male and one female) are selected annually by their teacher for the prestigious honor.
"The Book Award winners must be members of the National Honor Society and must demonstrate a strong social conscience, as well as a sustained and sincere commitment to community service," said Victoria Lombardi, a Huntington AP English Language & Composition teacher. "Mr. Stafford and Ms. Coneys are not only exemplary English students, they are also dedicated and active members of the Key Club, a school and community service club."
Mr. Stafford and Ms. Coneys have both displayed an interest in performing community outreach and assisting others. "When I asked Key Club faculty advisor Kelly Krycinski and Gina Colica if Beth and Mike were indeed the right fit, they overwhelmingly agreed and spoke highly of their commitment to the club and its efforts," Ms. Lombardi said.
The two Huntington teenagers were each presented with a book and certificate on behalf of St. Michael's College during a small ceremony at the school that recognized their achievement. The book, First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers was written by Loung Ung, a St. Michael's College graduate. The work is billed as "a moving and inspiring work about the survival or a Cambodian family and the development of Ung's crusade for a landmine free world."
"Ung's piece is a true reflection about the importance of social conscience in today's world," Ms. Lombardi said. "I was proud to select Michael and Beth as winners of this award and look forward to their future successes!"
Ms. Lombardi attended high school in Valley Stream. She earned a BA (English literature) and MA (adolescent education) at Adelphi University and came to Huntington in 2008 as a student teacher.