National Recognition for Bayport-Blue Point Student

In her 17 years, senior Shannon Murphy has mastered a foreign language and the art of dance, but lately her academic skills have taken center stage, garnering her national recognition as a Commended Student.

This time last year, Murphy had already completed the Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as the initial screening of more than 1.5 million entrants, of which only 34,000 received the program’s Commended Student status. Murphy's rocket-high score qualified her to become part of the elite academic group of students- Commended Students- who scored exceptionally well on the test.

"I qualified during junior year," Murphy said, and although she shied away from talking herself up, in her own way, the gifted student conveyed the significance of receiving this academic status. "I think three-and-a-half percent of students my age in the country were named," Murphy said.

Currently enrolled in three Advanced Placement (AP) courses, American Government, Calculus, and Literature and Composition, Murphy continues to excel. She says her strongest subjects: Math, Science and Spanish, may serve as the starting point for her college studies.

Murphy does not know what specific career path she plans on taking, but says she thinks the three subjects she's strongest in will help pave the way.

"I don't know what I want to do yet, but it'll probably be something that has to do with those [strengths]," she said. "You could say [SUNY] Stony Brook is my number one school right now, but I'm keeping my options open."

Murphy added that Stony Brook's big campus and choice of programs appeals to her because she's not set on a major at this time.

The lifelong Bayport resident's talents and interests led her to become an active member of the B-BP community and school district. In addition to serving on the National Honor Society, Murphy has received the Excellence in Spanish Award and is recognized as a scholar-artist. Her artwork- mostly drawings- has been featured in the Society Encouraging the Arts in Bayport-Blue Point Schools (SEA-BBS) art show every year for a majority of her academic career.

Being part of extracurricular activities and clubs, such as Safe School Ambassadors, Student Art League and Students Against Destructive Decisions, demands a good chunk of Murphy's free time, as does her nearly 15-year dance career at .

Murphy is a member of Releve's competition team and studies ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, hip-hop and lyrical dance.