Alexa Antonucci Follows Her Dreams
When Alexa Antonucci graduates in late June, the Huntington High School community will immediately miss her. The teenager with the infectious smile and laugh has endeared herself to teachers and classmates alike.
Ms. Antonucci has been a student in the district since her first day of kindergarten. She has grown from a shy little girl to a seasoned performer, capable of singing for a crowd of thousands. The senior has worked closely with many teachers and seized upon an assortment of opportunities that have come her way, enjoying a well-rounded academic and co-curricular experience.
There have been many highlights during Ms. Antonucci’s years in Huntington, including traveling to Disney World with the Blue Devil marching band, participating in the Relay For Life and the K-Factor talent show, singing the national anthem at the marching band’s 2013 home show and performing with the Treblemakers, the high school’s a cappella group.
The teenager said her favorite high school faculty members have been social studies teachers Anthony Troffa, Lauren Desiderio and Frederick Bisogno and music teacher and choral director Veronica Mainville. Ms. Antonucci’s has especially enjoyed Ms. Mainville’s chamber choir class this year. “I love to sing,” the senior said.
“Alexa only joined choir last year, but she has fit right in to our musical family,” Mrs. Mainville said. “She has been in the a cappella group Treblemakers for the past two years and has been featured as a soloist numerous times. This year she sings in the chamber choir, but comes to the concert choir rehearsals during her free period every day to help the kids in that class. She has a genuine love of singing and is a gifted singer. She sang the national anthem for the marching band’s home show last fall and did a beautiful job. It has been a joy for me to watch her growth as a musician and see her make new friends in choir. Her talents will be missed around Huntington High School.”
Ms. Antonucci plans to study at either Nassau or Suffolk Community College before possibly entering one of the Disney performance programs. “I enjoy singing and hope to have a career in the music industry,” she said.
A member of the Blue Devil marching band’s color guard since she was an eighth grader, Ms. Antonucci was one of the unit’s captains this year. Her father, Phil Antonucci served as president of the marching band parent’s association. Mr. Antonucci, who passed away in August 2012 following a courageous battle with cancer, was an Emmy Award winning sound engineer and audio technician. He was also an amazing entertainer as a guitarist and front man for “Beginnings,” the world’s premier “Chicago” tribute band.
Ms. Antonucci’s mother, Dee has served several years as the Blue Devil marching band parent association’s president. The senior’s sister, Corina is a junior at CUNY Queens College, studying in the Aaron Copland School of Music.
Although she is focused on a music career, Ms. Antonucci has enjoyed a well-balanced academic life at Huntington High School. “Alexa was a great asset to our history class,” Mr. Troffa said. “She is a well-rounded individual who has excellent academic potential. She is very kind and helpful to others and is respected by her peers as an amazing singer.”
“Alexa is a wonderful student who always has a positive vibe,” Mr. Bisogno said. “She has a wonderful sense of humor and her impersonation of Mr. Troffa always gets a laugh from me. Her positive nature is truly infectious. I will truly miss Alexa when she graduates!”
The fact she is so comfortable in front of large audiences would surely come as a shock to those who knew Ms. Antonucci at Jefferson Primary School. “I was incredibly shy and never spoke one word at Jefferson School,” the senior said. “It wasn’t until fourth grade with Mrs. [Patrice] Monks that I began to overcome my shyness. She was a huge influence and I owe a lot to her. I wish my Jefferson teachers could see me know singing solos at our concerts and talent shows.”
Ms. Antonucci encourages incoming Huntington High School freshmen to “follow their dreams.” She continues to do just that and is very happy with the results so far.