Alumni Scholarships Presented to Sensational Senior Duo

Thomas Smith and Lauren Donaghy are going places. The Huntington High School Class of 2025 members recently concluded splendid four year runs and will soon head off to college. The pair won the District School Principal’s Association Alumni Scholarship Awards.

Huntington High School has tens of thousands of alumni with the first class of six seniors graduating on Friday, July 18, 1862 at 2 p.m. Last June, the 164th annual commencement exercises were held. There are now over 50,000 Huntington alumni. The largest graduating classes totaled about 750 in the mid 1970’s when enrollments peaked.

Known by the acronym, DSPA, the group is the professional organization of Huntington UFSD’s principals, assistant principals and department directors. Mr. Smith and Ms. Donaghy were presented with twin $500 scholarships by Huntington High School Principal Rochelle C. Brown at a ceremony in the high school auditorium. The event was attended by a crowd numbering in the hundreds.

Mr. Smith plans to study economics and play lacrosse at Vassar College. He earned varsity letters with the Blue Devil football, wrestling and lacrosse teams and was named a National Football Foundation & College Football Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete.

The teenager said that “staying determined and motivated has been the foundation for academic success; whether it meant staying focused in class, completing all assignments or studying hard for exams. One of the most meaningful parts of high school has been the friendships and connections made with classmates through both academics and athletics.”

Ms. Donaghy plans to attend the University of Connecticut and pursue a degree in elementary education. She played on Huntington’s volleyball, basketball and golf teams, setting a new school record in volleyball for assists.

“My key to success has been my ability to push myself and set a high standard both in and out of the classroom,” Ms. Donaghy said. “I’ve carried the same strong work ethic from the court into my academics and it’s show me that I’m capable of more than I often realize.”