Suffolk Legislature Honors Ron Wilson as Champion of Diversity

Fresh off being honored by the Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education during a gala affair at The Harbor Club at Prime in Halesite late last week, Ronald E. Wilson was celebrated again by the Suffolk County Legislature in Hauppauge for being a “Champion of Diversity.”

The Huntington High School dean of students, athletic coach and alum of the district was accompanied by Superintendent Beth McCoy. County Legislator Rebecca Sanin extolled Mr. Wilson’s virtues prior to a full meeting of the Legislature.

Each of the 18 members of the Suffolk Legislature chose a Champion of Diversity to honor from their legislative district. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine was also in attendance for the festivities.

A member of Huntington’s Class of 1994, Mr. Wilson participated in a variety of after-school activities including the mentoring program, Student Associates Business Alliance, Black History Day, culture club and athletics.

As a junior, Mr. Wilson would go back to his old elementary school, participating in read-aloud sessions with sixth graders and discussing with them what would be expected of them in high school. It was through such programs and activities that he identified a strong inner desire to work with children.

While studying elementary education at St. John’s University, Mr. Wilson started volunteering with Teacher Opportunity Corps, serving as a mentor and tutor for inner-city at-risk youth. After obtaining a BS degree in May 1998, he began working as a substitute teacher in the Huntington and South Huntington school districts. He earned a master’s degree at Stony Brook University in 2005.

In October 1998, Mr. Wilson was hired by Tri-Community & Youth Agency to work with the young people that utilize that organization’s facilities and services. He also started volunteering as a coach with the J. Taylor Finley Junior High School football team. Players and their families quickly took a liking to him and he proved to be a highly effective motivator.

Through his connections with young people and their parents, Mr. Wilson saw a need to bridge the gap between Huntington and South Huntington athletes. He turned to Kevin Thorbourne and Crystal White, who have also dedicated themselves to nurturing area youth, collaborating with them to organize a basketball tournament that helped to shatter barriers between the two groups and pave the way for many friendships to be formed.

Mr. Wilson joined the Huntington School District’s full-time faculty in 2001. After working for many years as a second and third grade teacher at Flower Hill School and as a sixth grade teacher at Huntington Elementary School, Mr. Wilson was appointed a dean at Huntington High School.

Mr. Wilson said he feels “blessed to have been given the gift of being passionate about teaching.” He has made a commitment to educate and serve the youth he crosses paths with and to be a good role model for them.

“I tell people all the time that Huntington is a great place to live and raise a family,” Mr. Wilson said. “I’ve been fortunate to have gone through the school system as a student and athlete and now work in the very system that helped to educate me and raise me. I truly enjoy working with our students and their families. Students from all walks of life struggle with life’s problems and strains. I’m just grateful for the privilege to work with them and help them get through.”