Nina Flores Named a National Hispanic Scholar

The College Board has named Nina Flores a National Hispanic Scholar in recognition of her fine academic performance. The designation puts the Huntington High School senior in an elite group of teenagers across the country.

“I am both very proud and humbled by receiving this honor,” Ms. Flores said. “I feel very fortunate to have access to an education that allows me these opportunities. It is something my dad and his family did not have in South America.”

Ms. Flores is a multi-talented young woman. She performs with Huntington’s senior band and the Blue Devil marching band. The teenager played an integral role in the band’s recent second place finish in the state championships.

“Nina has a true gift,” said Jason Giachetti, a Huntington High School music teacher and co-director of the Blue Devil band. “She is not your typical high school student. The art she creates and the music she performs is that of a professional. Her playing ability far exceeds her age.”

A member of the Blue Devil marching band’s percussionist section since eighth grade, Ms. Flores is currently participating in a career internship with Mr. Giachetti. “I am so excited to be working with Nina this year in the internship program,” he said. 

The teenager has been a member of the jazz and wind ensembles and Key Club since her freshman year. Ms. Flores played on the Huntington High School tennis team for the past four years and was on the fencing team for three years beginning as an eighth grader. She was in the pit orchestra last year.

Two of the senior’s favorite teachers are Mr. Giachetti and art teacher Kristin Singer. “I have been in class with both of them since freshman year and have learned so much from each of them,” Ms. Flores said. “They have been more like mentors than teachers and I have really enjoyed my time with both.”

Ms. Flores’ classes this year include AP Economics, AP Statistics, AP English Literature, Honors Latin, Participation in Government, Portfolio Development and a career internship in music performance.

“Nina is a great girl,” said Bernadette Walsh, Huntington High School’s college counselor. “She is an extremely talented percussionist. She has a photographic memory for learning music. Even tricky, complicated music isn’t a problem for her. She can listen to a piece once and play it back precisely’ even a long piece.”

Ms. Flores is still exploring colleges and possible careers. “She’s is super artistic,” Mrs. Walsh said. “She loves to draw and create things. She even made a sneaker out of tape.”

The senior’s work with the Blue Devil band will always be remembered. “Nina was an outstanding section leader this year in the marching band,” Mr. Giachetti said. “She helped lead one of the best front ensembles we have ever had.” 

 “Although the national Hispanic recognition program does not provide monetary awards, being named is an important academic achievement,” wrote Diane Tsukamaki, the College Board’s director of national recognition and scholarship programs in a letter to Huntington Principal Carmela Leonardi.

The program was initiated in 1983 by the College Board. “This year, the NHRP is recognizing about 5,300 Hispanic/Latino students selected from a pool of over 259,000 who took the 2012 PSAT/NMQT/PAA,” Ms. Tsukamaki said.

“Nina has an incredibly bright and creative future ahead of her,” Mr. Giachetti said. “I’m so excited to see the artistic, musical and creative gifts she will give to the world.”