Kaylyn Johnston Studying Nursing at Fairfield University
Kaylyn Johnston’s freshman year at Fairfield University couldn’t have gone any better. The Huntington High School Class of 2013 member is studying nursing at the Connecticut school and enjoying life on the bustling college campus.
“College freshman year went really well,” Ms. Johnston said. “I was pretty swamped with the amount of work I had, but I am loving the nursing track I am on so far! I am looking to get more involved in our student nurse association program.” The Huntington grad has already completed Introduction to Nursing, Anatomy and Physiology I and II and a chemistry class required for health science majors.
“I took some core classes like Calculus, English, Theology, etc.,” she said and her first year college studies. “My plan for sophomore year is definitely to continue to keep my grades up and to definitely try to get more involved. I am looking forward to playing on the club field hockey team this year. I was on it last year, but there ended up being no games.”
Ms. Johnston came to Huntington High School from a small Catholic middle school. She was the Huntington Class of 2013’s recipient of the National History Day Excellence in Research Award for her in-depth study of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire.
Recognized as a Distinguished Senior for her fine academic record, the articulate young woman was a member of Huntington’s National Honor Society, English Honor Society and Science Honor Society chapters. She completed many Advanced Placement classes and built an enviable academic record.
Co-president of Huntington High School’s National History Day club, Ms. Johnston was a member of the Key Club and was a Natural Helper, working to help other students deal with their personal problems. A star Blue Devil field hockey player who captured All-Conference honors, she specialized in preventing opponents from getting to the goal.
While she excelled across the board academically, Ms. Johnston said one of her favorite high school courses was Advanced Placement Biology. “Some people might think I’m crazy for saying that but I have never learned more in a course than I did in Bio with Mrs. [Debra] Beck,” she said last summer. “Not only did I feel prepared for every exam, but I knew I was going to ace the AP exam at the end of the year. I am excited to continue my studies as I enter my freshman year of college being a nursing major.”
Ms. Johnston has acclimated in fine fashion to college life. “Although I was a bit overwhelmed during the first semester of college, I settled in a lot more as the year progressed, which gives me high hopes for the three years to come,” she said. “This semester I am taking a pharmacology and pathophysiology course, as well as another nursing course, psychology, history and philosophy. In the spring, I will start my first clinical in the hospital setting.”
The Huntington grad is keeping in tip-top physical shape, too. “I am really dedicated to running right now and I hope to continue to run and hope to run a half marathon in the near future,” Ms. Johnston said.
While she is thoroughly enjoying Fairfield University, Ms. Johnston will always have warm feelings for her hometown and alma mater. “I am thrilled that I have stayed so close with my friends from Huntington,” she said. “I know I will always have the friends I met at Huntington in my life and I am so grateful for that.”