Time Flies By for Senior Lucie Lavelle
began her long trek toward graduation as a kindergartener at Washington Primary School. Lucie Lavelle has enjoyed so many opportunities and experiences since then. She will graduate in a few short weeks as one of the most popular members of Huntington High School’s Class of 2014.
Ms. Lavelle is currently enrolled in Advanced Placement Literature and Composition, Algebra 2 Trigonometry, Economics, Spanish IV, Physics and Participation in Government and a credit bearing career internship which has her working daily with special education teacher Maureen Yostpille. “The internship is by far my favorite class this year,” the senior said.
There have been so many highlights during the past four years of high school it’s difficult for Ms. Lavelle to select just a small number to cite. She has especially enjoyed participating in the Relay For Life fundraising extravaganzas, volunteering at the Suffolk Special Olympics, being a Natural Helper at the school and serving as captain of this year’s Blue Devil girls’ lacrosse team.
Ms. Lavelle’s “favorite” courses have been English 11 Honors with teacher John Pagano, Global Studies with Jason Gould, Algebra with Michael Graziano and Street Law with Suzie Biagi. “I also really enjoyed English 9 Honors with Mrs. [Kelly] Krycinski as well as AP U.S. History with Mr. [Kenneth] Donovan,” the teenager said.
An entirely pleasant and friendly young woman, Ms. Lavelle has formed many close friendships during her years in Huntington. She has also developed strong relationships with members of the high school faculty, who respect and admire her.
“I’m so lucky with the teachers that I currently have and have had during my years of high school, so it’s really hard to pick my favorites,” Ms. Lavelle said. “Mrs. Dillon has definitely been a big part of my high school experience. She’s incredibly helpful in so many ways. I really don’t know what I would do without her.”
A member of Huntington’s English and Spanish national honor society chapters, Ms. Lavelle cherishes her participation in the Natural Helpers club, an organization whose members are selected by their peers and trained to help those same peers as well as themselves. As an underclassman she was also a member of the Key Club and Grandfriends club.
Outside of school, Ms. Lavelle likes “to hang out with some of the special needs students with Mrs. [Anne] Donnegan,” she said about the high school special education aide. “We do things like bowling and going to Adventureland. We have the best time.”
Ms. Lavelle has played on the Huntington lacrosse and volleyball teams for many years. She was a member of the JV lax team as an eighth and ninth grader and has been on the varsity squad since her sophomore year.
“I have had Kathy Wright since eighth grade,” Ms. Lavelle said about the current varsity head coach. “She was my JV coach and then when I moved up to varsity in tenth grade she was the varsity assistant coach to Nancy Wilson.”
The teenager worked with volleyball coach Lynn Hefele as a freshman and sophomore on the JV team and then again as a junior on the varsity when the coach moved up to that level. Last fall Ms. Lavelle was coached by Natalee Schaeffer after she took over the program. “Although I only met Coach Schaeffer this year, I’m so thankful I did. She’s the best. It was definitely worthwhile.”
Sports have played a large role in Ms. Lavelle’s high school experience and she has grown close to so many of her teammates and coaches. “My coaches are amazing and I can’t imagine high school sports without them,” she said.
Ms. Lavelle considered Rider University and Endicott College before settling on LaSalle University in Philadelphia. “LaSalle just stood out for me and seemed like the perfect fit,” she said. “After college I want to be a special education teacher for elementary kids. I absolutely love being around them and I really can’t picture myself doing anything else.”
It’s a little hard to believe that Ms. Lavelle’s time in the Huntington School District is nearing its end. It seems like only yesterday she was walking into Washington School as a five year old for her first day.
“If I had any advice for incoming freshman I would tell them to enjoy high school and take advantage of the awesome opportunities that are offered because four years goes by faster than you think,” Ms. Lavelle said.