Housatonic student of the week

The Lakeville Journal congratulates the honorees of the student of the week program at Housatonic Valley Regional High School. FALLS VILLAGE — When Bianca Del Tufo suffered a concussion at the beginning of last year, her sunny future suddenly seemed cloudy. This week’s Student of the Week from Sharon could have been featured in this column as a sophomore, but a bad fall left her with headaches and fatigue that lasted throughout most of her junior year. However, thanks to her hard work and the support of her family and the HVRHS staff, Bianca has distinguished herself as a senior.Bianca described the days immediately following her injury as difficult and frustrating. Academic tasks that had come easily to her in the past took longer, if she was able to complete them at all. Gradually, with the help of her guidance counselor, Sharon Veatch, Bianca began to understand that she was not to blame for her newfound limitations, and that, by adjusting her work routines to include more frequent breaks and better planning, she could be the student she had been, and in some ways, a better one.Now, Bianca takes time to play the flute as an outlet. “It taps into a different channel in the brain,” she explains, and thanks to her experience, she now appreciates the power of the mind to understand the world in new and wonderful ways. She has recently been accepted at Marist College. Bianca is considering a major in the humanities or languages, although she is undecided at the moment. Perhaps Bianca is just keeping an open mind, but it certainly is a wonderful and engaging one that will adapt to any challenges that lie ahead.— Ian StreverAssistant Principal