Ashley Angstadt Dances Toward Graduation
Ashley Angstadt will head to the University of Scranton in the fall, but her wit, smile and laugh will always be remembered around Huntington High School. The teenager will move to the next phase of her life when she graduates next month as one of the top members of the Class of 2013.
The years have passed by quickly since Ms. Angstadt began classes in the district as a kindergarten student at Washington Primary School. Since then not a day has gone by that she hasn't shined. She is surrounded by a circle of loyal friends who enjoy her presence in their lives and a group of teachers and advisors that hold her in high esteem.
Ms. Angstadt has belonged to the Huntington High School Highsteppers competitive dance team since she was a freshman, serving as the senior captain this year. Dance has figured prominently in the teenager's life.
She's been a member of the Dancin' Feet Dance Studio's company for an incredible 15 years. "This has allowed me to participate in many benefits for Make-A-Wish, March of Dimes, and Cystic Fibrosis," Ms. Angstadt said. She loves to perform and is willing to devote long hours to rehearsals.
The senior is also a junior volunteer at Huntington Hospital, assisting the nursing staff and interacting with patients. Ms. Angstadt leads a busy and well-balanced life that has provided her with a many memorable experiences.
The recording secretary of the Spanish Honor Society, the teenager is also a member of the National, English and Science honor societies. When it came time to develop her senior year schedule, Ms. Angstadt said she "wanted to continue challenging myself."
The senior is taking AP Government and Politics, AP Literature and Composition, AP Calculus, AP Microeconomics, AP Studio Art, Honors Physics and Honors Spanish.
"I've always had a passion for learning and I enjoy pushing myself to the best of my abilities so taking tougher classes has helped me to do just that," Ms. Angstadt said. "I really have had great experiences with all of my teachers over the past four years and respect all of them."
Always a fine student, Ms. Angstadt has built a strong academic record. Two of the senior's favorite courses and teachers have been Honors Living Environment with Anna Fabela and AP Biology with Deborah Beck.
"I really enjoyed the way Ms. Fabela pushed her students to have a hard work ethic and she made learning fun," Ms. Angstadt said. "What I liked about Mrs. Beck was that she really cared about her students and explained the different topics in bio thoroughly."
The senior intends to major in biology at the University of Scranton, following the pre-med track. "I plan on being a dermatologist after medical school," Ms. Angstadt said. "I think a career in medicine would be good for me because this way I will always be learning new things and at the same time I'll be able to help other people."
Ms. Angstadt happiest memories revolve around her participation with the high school's competitive dance team and all the new friends she has made over the past four years.
"The Highsteppers are like my second family," Ms. Angstadt said. "All of our hard work paid off when we got to attend the national championships in Orlando, Florida this past March. We ended up placing ninth in the nation, which was a huge honor and an experience that I will never forget. Being a member and captain of such and amazing team has been one of the best aspects of my high school career because it has taught me about responsibility and cooperation. Since dance has always been a major part of my life I will also be trying out for Scranton's dance team."
With this year's commencement right around the corner, Ms. Angstadt offered some words of wisdom to incoming ninth graders: "My advice would be to stay true to yourself and focus on your future," she said.