Stephanie Shea Enjoying Every Experience

Since the day she entered kindergarten in the Huntington School District, Stephanie Shea has been earning plaudits. Now the teenager is getting ready to graduate with the Class of 2014 and she’s closing out her scholastic career with a flourish as she prepares for college.

“There are so many things I have loved about being in the Huntington School District, but some of the most memorable have been with the music department and the drama club,” Ms. Shea said.

Some of the senior’s favorite teachers have been Michael Schwendemann, Jason Gould, Edward Florea, Brian Stellato and Veronica Mainville. She has especially enjoyed Mr. Stellato’s music theory class, Mr. Gould’s US History class and concert and chamber choir classes with Mrs. Manville.

“Freshman year, I won Music Idol, which was a huge accomplishment for me,” Ms. Shea said. “I also started drama club that year and since then I have been a part of every show. Schwen is one of the funniest people I have ever met and he is so passionate about the arts. I am so thankful to him and the rest of the drama club family for really helping me grow over the past four years. I am so lucky to have been able to work with such talented people.”

Being presented with a social studies Pride Award by Mr. Gould for her work on the Civil War games was one of Ms. Shea’s ‘proudest and happiest moments,” she said. The teenager is a fine student and is held in high esteem by the teachers she has worked with over the years.

Ms. Shea encourages incoming Huntington freshmen to “take advantage” of the many course electives and clubs the high school offers and to get involved in the music department because “you won’t regret it.” She was named “Most Musical” by the senior class.

“We have some of the best staff around and we have so much to offer and it is important to take advantage of as much as you can,” Ms. Shea advises freshmen. “Remember to work hard because in the end it will be worth it, but also remember to enjoy yourself because high school goes by way quicker than you expect it to.” 

Ms. Shea is applying to 13 different colleges and universities, including Pace, Boston Conservatory, New York University, Emerson, Syracuse and Delaware. Depending which school she ultimately chooses to attend, the teenager will pursue an academic major of either musical theatre or music education.

“The highlight of my time at Huntington has to be Music Theory in tenth grade and my Music Theory internship as a senior,” Ms. Shea said. “Music Theory was my favorite class and it was in that class that I realized I wanted to pursue a career in music. This year, I am Mr. Stellato’s Music Theory intern and it has been such a rewarding experience. Mr. Stellato is absolutely hilarious and has taught me so much about music theory and teaching, but also so much about being a good person. It has been a privilege getting to work with him and I can only hope to be half as good of a teacher as he is one day!”

Among Ms. Shea’s senior year courses are Advanced Placement Literature, Theater Arts, Animal Behavior, Music Theory Internship, Chamber Choir, Participation in Government and Economics.

The senior is very closely associated with the high school drama club, serving as its president this year and belonging to it as a member for the past four years. She was in the concert choir as a freshman and has been a member of the chamber choir for the last three years. She’s president of the choir board this year.

A member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society since her sophomore year, Ms. Shea is the organization’s secretary this year. She been in the Treble Makers a capella group for four years and was one of its music director for the past two years.

Ms. Shea has been a Relay For Life team captain in each of the past two years and is the activities and entertainment committee for next spring’s event. She also a Natural Helper and says she is “super excited about it.”

As she prepares for the final months of her high school years, Ms. Shea seems intent on enjoying every experience that comes her way.