Way to Go: Hauppauge senior Adam Mildon

Adam Mildon, a senior at Hauppauge High School, was the grand-prize winner of a recent essay contest coordinated by the Smithtown Historical Society. It required students to respond to a fictional situation in which all town historical buildings were to be demolished, and only one could be saved. Mildon, who won a $1,000 college scholarship, beat 100 entries by opting to save the St. James General Store.

"Not only is it a historical building, it's a living part of the community," said Mildon, 17, noting that current and ex-residents have used the store to shop and congregate. "To destroy that building would be like destroying the character of the town."

Mildon, who said his parents often took him to the store as a child, submitted his three-page essay last spring and was notified of his victory in October. He was honored at the historical society's annual gala with a plaque and oversized check.

"There's so much history out there, and if you don't take the time to learn about it, you're really missing out," he said.

Mildon is his class salutatorian, a member of the National Honor Society, and treasurer of both his class and the French Club. He is also a freshman orientation and peer mentor.