Daniel Moya Accepted by USC Film School

Daniel Moya is headed to the University of Southern California and what many consider to be the top film school in the country, if not the world. The Huntington High School senior has put in years of hard work to reach this point and he credits his family for helping make it possible.

“My decision to apply to USC stemmed from its consistent reputation as the number one film school, its unbeatable location in Los Angeles, which is the hub of filmmaking and my desire to be at a school where the way I learn is by doing,” Mr. Moya said. “They make a camera and all of the necessary resources available instantly and since all I want is to direct, I plan on taking full advantage of those privileges.”

USC is far from Huntington, but Mr. Moya has dreamed about going to school there for a very long time. “I am still in shock over my acceptance because it has been my number one school since I was a little boy,” he said. “It hasn’t once moved from that spot. It is an absolute dream come true and I am forever in debt to my family, my teachers and my friends for helping to make it happen.”

It’s hard to tell who is more excited about Mr. Moya’s acceptance into USC, the teenager or his video arts teacher, Heather Swan. “I have had the pleasure of knowing Daniel for the past four years,” she said. “He completed the three-year video program and a video internship and is currently producing his best work in the video portfolio development class. Daniel has a wonderful sense of humor and is talented in writing, directing, acting and editing. I am so thrilled to hear of his acceptance into the most prestigious college video program. I am so proud of him and I wish him all the success and happiness in the world.”

Mr. Moya has been a contributing member of Huntington High School’s video club, writing the weekly newscast and headlining the “Daniel Moya at the Critic’s Corner” segment. The senior also participates in the drama club, Key club and Habitat for Humanity, belongs to the English Honor Society and the National Honor Society and even fenced as a sophomore.

The teenager was voted “Most Likely to be Famous” be fellow members of Huntington’s Class of 2013. Mr. Moya said it’s “a distinction that means a lot to me and is something I will try to live up to in the future!”

Mr. Moya said his favorite high school course has been video production, which he’s been involved in since his first day in the building.  “I really cannot thank Mrs. Swan enough, because I know that she and her class were a huge component of why I was accepted into USC,” he said. “The skills I learned under her advisement will benefit me throughout my life.”

The senior said he has also “loved all of my English classes, and of course Mrs. [Kelly] Krycinski, Mrs. [Aimee] Antorino and Mrs. [Kelly] Quintero-Lashley.” Mr. Moya offered special thanks to Mrs. Antorino for penning a letter of recommendation for him.

“All of my teachers have been great, though, so thank you all,” Mr. Moya said. The teenager also expressed his appreciation to Huntington High School college counselor Bernadette Walsh and counseling center secretary Linda Catalano. “They have been extremely kind, helpful and gracious with their time and I would like to thank them for helping me through this crazy college process,” he said.

Mr. Moya is going to miss high school dean Robert Gilmor. “He is a truly kind individual who has always greeted me with kindness,” the senior said. “He makes the high school a more peaceful and loving environment every day.”

As members of the Class of 2013 enter the final stretch run to this year’s commencement exercises in June, hundreds of current J. Taylor Finley Middle School eighth graders are probably beginning to wonder what awaits them next September.

“If you are an incoming freshman and it seems like 74,846,392 years until one of these articles is being written about you, I would like to tell you it all happens so quickly and if you take advantage of all the things that the high school has to offer you then it will be a very rich and full experience,” Mr. Moya said. “The amount of time spent in school is worthless if you don’t do something you love with it.”

Looking back over the past four years, the soon-to-be alum doesn’t appear to have any regrets. “My time at Huntington High School has been fantastic,” Mr. Moya said. “I’ve taken a lot of great courses, had so many awesome teachers and met lifelong friends. What else could I ask for out of high school?”