Blue Devil Senior Ready To ‘Enjoy The Little Things’

Ryann Gaffney is determined to have as much fun as possible during her senior year at Huntington High School, especially considering she already knows where she will be attending college after her verbal commitment to Boston University. It’s one bit of pressure that’s been lifted from her shoulders.

Gaffney is an athlete, a very good athlete. She’s set to be one of the top players on the Blue Devil soccer, winter track and lacrosse teams, but she’s also a fine student.

Ryann Gaffney, a senior at Huntington High School, is a forward on the school’s girls soccer team. *Photo by Mike Connell

“This year I am taking advanced placement literature and composition, AP government and politics, AP environmental science, science research, honors Spanish, calculus and economics,” she said. And she’s also interning for one of her former high school teachers.

Already a member of the National Honor Society as well as the English and Spanish honor societies, Gaffney is planning on applying for membership in the Math and Social Studies honor societies, too.

This year, she’s hoping to “enjoy the little things.”

She continued, “All of my friends who have graduated have reminded me that it flies by, so I’m going to take in every last moment and have a great time during my senior year.”

With her verbal commitment, Boston University has offered her a scholarship to play women’s lacrosse. She said she’s sure the school is the “best fit” for her, both academically and athletically.

Gaffney first came to Huntington High School as a sophomore. She said transferring to the school “is easily the best decision I have ever made.”

“Whether on or off the field, everyone wants what’s best for you. The opportunity for anyone to excel is right in front of you if you choose to put in the work. Overall, my experience at Huntington is better than anything I could’ve imagined. I’m excited for all that’s to come this year.”

One of Gaffney’s favorite memories at Huntington came when the school’s girls indoors track team won the Suffolk championship for the second straight year.

“Huntington had never won the county title before, so to be a part of two championships is something very special to me,” she said. “That day I broke three school records in the 55-meter hurdles, 55-meteer dash and the 4x200-meter relay. The relay in particular was awesome because my teammates and I were able to break the small school county meet record, which is very cool.”

Gaffney credited the team’s coaches, Debra Cheskes and Shawn Anderson, “who are unbelievable people that I’m very grateful to have had teach me and inspire me to perform my best the last two years.”

*Photo by Mike Connell
Huntington’s Ryann Gaffney, a member of the school’s soccer, track and lacrosse teams, chases down the ball.

She also touted the strong relationships she’s built with Huntington High School faculty and staff members.

“The great thing about Huntington is not only do teachers want what’s best for you, but everyone in the entire school does, too,” she said.

With her final year of high school now underway, Gaffney is determined to make every day count and to lead her three teams to as many victories as she can all while having as much fun as she possibly can. The first of her three senior year campaigns began yesterday as she and the Blue Devils of Huntington girls soccer team were slated to take on West Islip for their first game of the Suffolk League III season.

Huntington is  scheduled to welcome Newfield for a 4 p.m. game on Friday.