Meet Lauren

Photo by Claire Buffie

Lauren Molella is 16 years old and resides in Millbrook, New York. She is a high school senior this year bridging full-time to Dutchess Community College. Upon graduation from high school she will have earned enough college credits to almost have a College Associate’s Degree. She has received numerous awards in high school such as the Health Award, English Award, Technology Award, French II Award, Integrated Geometry Award, Design and Draw Award, and Principals List. She was also the recipient of the State of New York Office of the Comptroller Award for Dedication, Success and Civic Commitment.

While in high school, Lauren has been involved as the Co-Founder of “Hearts for Haiti” Orphanage Fundraiser, National Honor Society Member, Student Government Representative, Yorker Club President; TATU (Teens Against Tobacco Use) Leader, “Rachel’s Challenge” Anti-Bullying Leader, Interact Club, Environmental Club, Model UN, “Hello Dolly” High School Musical, Varsity Track, Church Youth Group Role Model, Girl Scout Cadette, and a Ballet Class Helper and Children’s Dance Teacher at the New Paltz School of Ballet.

Lauren has danced with the New York City Ballet performing in Swan Lake, Firebird, Circus Polka and Coppelia. She has also attended the New York State Summer Ballet School of the Arts, American Ballet Theatre Dance Bermuda, and won a scholarship to Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan. She has performed in New Paltz Ballet Theatre Bardavon Opera House performances including Nutcracker, Coppelia, Peter and the Wolf and Firebird along with performing in the World Premier of Nilas Martin’s “Shostakovich Piece.”

Her future plans are to graduate at the top of her high school class and attend a prestigious university where she will major in Ocean Engineering. She would like to design environmentally sound structures for the ocean and work with NASA.