Sabrina Blakley Wins Heart of Huntington Award
Sabrina Blakley always has her heart in the right place. The Huntington High School senior is beloved by her classmates and teachers and for good reason: She’s an exceptional young woman. Huntington’s PTA Council presented the teenager with its Heart of Huntington Award at the organization’s annual luncheon at the Head of the Bay Club last week.
“Inspirational, confident, compassionate – these are three of many words to describe Sabrina Blakley,” said Georgia D. McCarthy, the Huntington School District’s director of physical education, health and interscholastic athletics, who presented the award to the senior on behalf of the PTA Council.
“This young lady has a heart of gold and the desire to create change,” Mrs. McCarthy said as the teenager stood next to her before a crowd of PTA leaders and district officials. “She has embraced all that Huntington High School has to offer. Sabrina has thrived in multiple Advanced Placement and honors courses and her teachers and classmates express that she is one of the hardest working students in Huntington who comes to class with a big smile on her face and ready to learn and help others.”
“I was really surprised and honored to win the Heart of Huntington Award,” Ms. Blakley said. “I was very nervous about coming to Huntington in ninth grade, but I think this award is truly a symbol of how much the Huntington community has grown to mean to me. I can’t thank the PTA enough for honoring me with this award and for the teachers who nominated me.”
The PTA Council’s award selection committee included Mrs. McCarthy, English teacher Michael Schwendemann and Dean of Students Robert Gilmor III. “The award is given to a graduating senior who demonstrates the values of the PTA, including school spirit, volunteerism, community involvement, commitment to academics and peer mentorship,” said Christine Biernacki, the PTA Council’s president.
Ms. Blakley will begin classes at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia in the fall. She intends to participate in a five year combined bachelor’s/master’s degree program in special education. The teenager plans to eventually launch a teaching career in the Philadelphia area. She would also like to “take a year of service through Americorps, Teach for America or Habitat for Humanity,” the Class of 2014 member said.
“Sabrina is truly a beautiful person inside and out,” Mrs. McCarthy said. “She puts her heart and soul into her family, friends, school and community. We will miss your contagious smile and your warm heart. We are all so proud of you. You are the heart of Huntington.”
Ms. Blakley participated on Huntington’s varsity crew and volleyball teams. As a member of Huntington’s Habitat for Humanity chapter and the high school’s Natural Helpers club, she worked closely with Mr. Gilmor, who serves as the faculty advisor for both organizations.
“Her work with Habitat will go down in history as some of the most impressive ever,” Mrs. McCarthy said. “Mr. Gilmor said that Sabrina took on a great leadership role during the three trips to New Orleans and that she was his ‘go to’ person and was also a calming presence for the adults and students on the trips.”
The PTA Council presented Ms. Blakley with a $300 stipend and an attractive certificate.