Sports

Student Athlete Spotlight: Heather Artinian

Born deaf, the Glen Cove High School senior has excelled as a three-sport athlete.

Not only has three-sport athlete Heather Artinian gained county-wide and national recognition for her achievements at , the high school senior did it all while maintaining a 99 GPA and having been born completely deaf and raised in a household where her entire family was also deaf.

Since fourth grade – when she underwent a controversial surgery which allowed her to attend a non-deaf school – Artinian has excelled at Glen Cove. She's earned the captain title of girls lacrosse, basketball and volleyball and ultimately received the Nassau County Sports Commission’s Eva Tucci Award, and award which recognizes a female student-athlete who demonstrates great character, great passion for sports, and is committed to academic excellence.

She was named New Balance Basketball Coaches Association Academic All-State and Scholar-Athlete and was selected to play in the Nassau County All-Star Game and participate in the National Deaf All-Star game.

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As captain of the girls lacrosse team, Artinian was a featured athlete in Madison Square Garden’s televised LAX report, and was granted the Diane Whipple Scholarship to lacrosse camp. As Captain of the volleyball team, she achieved All-Division status.

Heather has been an instrumental part of the team’s success this spring, as the girls won conference B3 with a record of seven wins and zero losses, the team's first title since 2001.

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"Heather is a coaches dream both on and off the field and truly demands everyone's attention and respect,” said girls lacrosse coach Jacquie Gow. “Not only is she a superior athlete but she is equally as humble when accolades are bestowed upon her. It has been such a pleasure coaching Heather, she gives her all in practice and games but it is her desire to try new skills or plays that sets her ahead of others. She truly is my idol."

Artinian has been recognized for more than just her sportsmanship. She won a medal for being one of just 10 finalists in the DECA National Advertising Campaign. 

Artinian also volunteers at several organizations including , AutismSpeaks, the American Cancer Society, and serves as a sign language instructor at the .

Artinian will attend Georgetown University in the fall.


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