Student Spotlight: Pearl River HS Senior Caitlin Kenny

Pearl River High School senior Caitlin Kenny does not run track this year, but she is still showing that she can move fast.

She demonstrated that Jan. 24, when she nearly had to be two places at once. Kenny took part in Rho Kappa Honor Society, of which she is the secretary, at the high school at 7 p.m. Then she had to get to Orangtown Town Hall in time to be honored by the Orangetown Substance Abuse Committee as part of a meeting that started at 7:30 p.m. 

"It's important to stay active," Kenny said. "If I wasn't busy, I'd probably just be at home watching TV. I don't mind being busy."

Good thing. Kenny is one of those students who seems to pile on the activities. In addition to Rho Kappa, which is for social studies, Kenny is in the National Honor Society, Science Honor Society and Italian Honor Society. She won citizenship awards for community service in grades 10 and 11. 

She became one of Pearl River's student representatives on the Orangetown Substance Abuse Committee this past summer. She was already a member of the Orangetown Youth Court. In youth court, young people who have admitted their guilt in a crime or offense appear before a peer judge for a sentencing hearing. Members of the youth court take on the various roles, including judge, prosecutor, defender and clerk/bailiff. 

"I think I like youth court because I want to go into law," Kenny said. "I feel it is run by the kids for the kids, so you are talking directly to the kids and helping them. 

"The greatest satisfaction is when they realize they did wrong and they have to make up for it."

Kenny has been learning about the law since she was very young. Her mother, Teresa Kenny, is Orangetown's Deputy Town Attorney. Her father, Lawrence Kenny, is a business manager who also owns a painting business. Her brother, Brendan, is a sophomore at PRHS.

"I don't want it to seem like I want to it (just because) she does it," Caitlin Kenny said. "Obviously, that might have something to do with it. I've gone to court with her and found interest in it, but I care more about helping other and making sure people learn from their mistakes.

"My mom always talked about her cases and I didn't understand what she was talking about until I actual went and did it."

Kenny said she is considering going to college at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania or Siena College in Loudonville, NY, both of which offer pre-law programs.

"Both are Jesuit schools, so I feel like if I went there, I would become a well-rounded student," Kenny said. 

Also in her future plans is a service trip yet and plans to in the future.

"I have visited places," Kenny said. "I went to Italy the day after Christmas with the school. It was amazing, with the culture and everything. But I want to do something that actually helps people, like go to a third-world country or something. I feel like if I go there, I'll realize even more how fortunate I am."

One thing Kenny no longer does is run track. She competed with the varsity in winter and spring track and field since the eighth grade and ran cross country for three years. She has not competed for the school since winter track season her junior year.

"I hurt my foot and took a very long break," Kenny said. "I might jump back into it in college. I miss it, but I like having the time to do other things. I feel like running was more about me, but youth court and the substance abuse (committee) are more about the community."

Another thing she has more time for is work. Kenny tutors children learning basic math and reading, primarily ages five to eight, two days a week at the Kumon Learning Center.

"I love it," Kenny said.  "It helps me learn patience. That is one thing I gained working there.  Being able to talk to them like a kid. Everything is not as serious as when you are talking to high schoolers."

That leads to days when Kenny has to do homework before work, then head to youth court.

"I've always said to my friends, if I don't have anything to do, I'll sit around and procrastinate," Kenny said. "But if I know I have to go to work and to youth court, I will get my homework done right after school."

Pearl River High School Principal William Furdon said maintaining a busy schedule is always a positive and not just for the sake of filling out the resume for colleges.

"You have to get yourself organized," Furdon said. "You have to plan your day. It is more important for the life skills you are gaining than the transcript."  

Furdon said Kenny is not one to try to draw attention to herself or her accomplishments. 

"It's not just punching her ticket for college. It's, 'How can I make the school better," Furdon said. "Caitlin is going to be successful. There is not a doubt in my mind that she will do something in the future that we will hear from her, something neat she is doing to help people. You see her around the building and you know that. It's who she is."

Editor's note: Know a student who has earned a place in the spotlight? Email Pearl River Patch Editor Ryan Buncher at ryan.buncher@patch.com.