04/02/2026
Reminiscing as I approach graduation at NYU 💜🥹
SENIOR NAYSA ESCOBAR EARNS FULL RIDE TO NYU …
Naysa Esobar got the biggest surprise of her life when she began reading her acceptance letter sent by New York University. The Huntington High School was hoping to learn she had garnered a full tuition scholarship, but instead was thrilled to discover she had captured a full ride, covering tuition, room and board, etc.
An all-around outstanding young woman and certainly one of Huntington Class of 2022’s finest, Ms. Escobar plans to study in NYU’s Stern School of Business. “It goes without saying that the location is a huge contributor,” the teenager said. “But what I really loved about NYU was its hands on student-to-business world engagement, social advice program such as Martin Luther King Scholars and the experience I can obtain by being in the city while also being commuting distance to my little brothers so I will never miss a birthday or event.”
The senior’s career focus will be business entrepreneurship and technology at the Stern School of Business. “I applied to NYU through the HEOP (Higher Education Opportunity) program, which only gives 200 full tuition scholarships,” Ms. Escobar said. “But when I started reading my acceptance letter, I realized that I didn’t only get a full tuition, but a full ride. I’ve been literally floating ever since. I’m so happy with all the support I’ve gotten and the good energy that’s been coming my way.”
A member of the high school’s high honor roll, Ms. Escobar has excelled in every possible way. “What makes Huntington Huntington is the amazing people that you meet throughout your experience here,” she said. “Honestly, these people feel like family and have been my pillars from everything from my motivation to my community involvement. Starting with Ms. [Paige] Tyree, who paid for my lunch of chicken nuggets in ninth grade and since then has not been able to get rid of me and including Mr. [Robert] Gilmor, who is always there when times get tough and Ms. Biagi with her amazing brownies and mom talks that kept me focused on my goals. And so many other teachers that didn’t only teach me their subjects, but helped me discover who I am and who I want to be. Obviously including Ms. [Patricia] Avelli, Mr. [Joseph] Cohen, Mr. [Kenneth] Donovan and Ms. [Shea] Scully.”
The teenager has been fortunate to travel to many faraway lands. “I’ve gone to SO many places thanks to my parents who love to travel and try weird foods like shark,” Ms. Escobar said. “I recently traveled to Spain for three weeks where we just rented a car and went with the road. I'm going on a cruise during spring break to Mohogany Bay, Costa Maya and Cozumel. But out of all the places and cultures I’ve gotten to experience, the best place would have to be Costa Rica. We spent about a month there before COVID and it was absolutely amazing. We went surfing, experienced their lenient culture and played volleyball on the beach basically until the clock struck twelve on New Year’s 2020.”
Ms. Escobar is president of Et Cetera, the club that publishes the high school’s annual literary magazine. In all, she has been involved in 17 different extracurricular activities in and out of school as a senior. “I always take pride in them because of how much work I do with the community and they always bring me joy,” she said.
President of the A World of Difference club, better known by the acronym AWOD, Ms. Escobar and fellow club members participate in projects that promote unity among Huntington High School’s various ethnic and racial groups. She is also treasurer of the Grandfriends club and secretary of both the National Honor Society and Natural Helpers.
The senior is also a participating member in the high school’s Mathletes team as well as the Art Honor Society, English Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Social Studies Honor Society.
Ms. Escobar is a Hip Hop student teacher at Variations dance studio, a social media specialist at Little Switzerland Toys and Dolls and a Virtual Enterprise student influencer. A Huntington Highstepper, she enjoys Hip Hop dance in her free time. She also spends time as an advocate for social justice.
The senior plans to be just as involved at New York University. “Oh my God, what don’t I plan to be involved in?” asked Ms. Escobar rhetorically. “Now that room and board is covered [as well as tuition], we all know I’m joining as much activities as possible! Starting with the business club, MLK Scholars and the NYU dance team.”
Ms. Escobar has taken an impressive array of courses throughout high school. “Huntington prepared me for college by giving me hands on experience and growing my social skills to a level needed in business,” she said. “Virtual Enterprise, a business class taught by Ms. Tyree, was the main reason I got into NYU. With all of the accomplishments we earned last year, it became a focus on my resume and a conversation starter at my interview.”
The teenager is prepared for a new challenge in Manhattan at NYU. “Oh, I’m ready for college,” Ms. Escobar said. “I’m ready to start learning from the best and keep working hard to get where I want to go. I have to remember to always work hard and stay humble. Just like Ms. Biagi and Mr. Gilmor have taught me.”
The senior intends to savor her final three months at high school. She has had a great experience, certainly one that she will always remember. Ms. Escobar is happy with her life and happy to have found her way to Huntington.
“I’m so glad I moved from Colombia to my amazing family, both at home and at school,” Ms. Escobar said. “I could say my experience at Huntington has overall been stressful, exciting, academically challenging and amazing all at the same time. With just the right hint of stress and a lot of love, Huntington has helped me become who I am today. So honestly, thank you Huntington! I couldn’t have done it without you!”
https://www.hufsd.edu/articles/2022/april/04a.html
