Senior Nicolas Francis Chooses SUNY Geneseo

Nicolas Francis has worked hard to achieve his goals and secure his future. The Huntington High School senior is striving to be a history teacher and he has been impressed by SUNY Geneseo’s School of Education. The teenager intends to pursue his career plans at the upstate school.

“I was drawn to SUNY Geneseo by my cousin, who went there,” Mr. Francis said. “I went on a trip with him and he told me about it and it interested me. It’s also in a beautiful location and right near a New York State park, which is amazing for me as I work at one. When I first went to the campus it was magical and I was enamored and  knew it was the place for me.”

SUNY Geneseo’s impeccable academic reputation and its “very prestigious” school of education helped Mr. Francis make his decision on where to attend college.

“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher,” Mr. Francis said. “Many members of my family have been teachers, from my mother to four aunts and uncles and three of my grandparents. It’s been my dream for as long as I can remember and I know Geneseo offers me the best chance to make it come true.”

Mr. Francis has worked hard in and out of the classroom. He’s tried his best in every class and joined clubs of interest. He’s also a charter member of Huntington’s first ever badminton team.

“I am super involved with Key Club, where I am a fourth year member and a second year officer,” Mr. Francis said. “I’m also the founder and current captain of the boys’ varsity badminton team and we just got our first win. And I’m the vice president of the debate club that I’ve been a part of for four years. My sister was also the vice president of that club.”

The teenager has been guided along the way by someone that can accurately be called his favorite faculty member. “My main mentor is who I intern for; Mr. [Omar] Santiago,” Mr. Francis said. “I’ve known him since I had him as a teacher at Finley Middle School and I’ve been a part of his robotics team for the past two years. I am the first intern he’s ever had at the high school. I help him with the woodshop and robotics.”

With his senior year flying by in the proverbial blink of an eye, Mr. Francis is looking back over his time in the district and looking ahead to new challenges.

“My experience in Huntington has been amazing,” Mr. Francis said. “The teachers have always been such helpful and supportive people; mainly the history teachers, such as Mr. [Kenneth] Donovan, Ms. [Debora] Balducci and Mr. [James] Graber, as I want to be a history teacher just like them. The amount of Advanced Placement classes, electives, clubs and sports and the wonderful friends I’ve made in my journey have really cemented my love for the Huntington School District.”