Huntley was a four-year boy at Blue Ridge. His friendly, even jovial personality, helped to ensure his place in the school as one of the more liked members of the student body. He was always ready, willing, and able to participate in activities, be they in athletics (especially tennis) or in programs that served the needs of people or organizations in Greene County or Charlottesville.
Over his years as a student, Huntley became one of Headmaster Hatcher Williams tennis partners out on the clay courts. Many an afternoon Mr. Williams got the exercise he needed by exchanging shots back and forth across the net with Huntley. Be it in the fall or the spring of the year, one could often find these two exchanging volleys and enjoying every minute of it. Huntley played tennis both wisely and well. Our headmaster was a number of years into his sixties, and though his skill with a racket was commendable, his speed back and forth across the court was not. For a young man, Huntley was wise enough to understand that he should not crush his opponent day after day. So, Mr. Williams was able to win a sufficient number of matches such that the contest between the two played itself out over three years.
During his years here at Blue Ridge, Huntley took on a variety of activities and leadership positions. As a senior, he served as a prefect by looking out for the well-being of the underclassmen, setting a good example, and maintaining discipline on his hall. The underclassmen gave him the nickname “the Sheriff.” Huntley took part in the drama programs, the weekend skiing trips to Massanutten Mountain, and also served as an acolyte for Rev. Kettlewell in the chapel services. At graduation, he was presented the Chaplain’s Award. As an athlete he participated in both the football and tennis programs with considerable enthusiasm.
After completing college, Huntley made the decision to pursue a career in education. There was a teaching position that opened up at Christchurch School in Saluda of Virginia. Huntley had hopes of returning to Blue Ridge, but at the time no faculty positions were available, so he went to interview at Christchurch, and he was offered a position as a teacher and dorm master. Little did he know at the time that this opportunity would provide him what has been a lifetime career. During the years at Christchurch, Huntley taught both math and science classes as well as coaching both the tennis team for ten years and the football team for four years. The administrators at Christchurch saw in Huntley the potential for administrative leadership, and over his years at the school he has played a key role in the development office, as assistant dean of students, as director of operations and business matters, and as alumni director, and the position he currently holds as the head of fundraising for the school.
When asked what his fondest experience at Blue Ridge was, Huntley immediately stated that it was those awesome skiing trips to Massanutten Mountain resort each Wednesday afternoon during the winter.
The greatest impact his experience at Blue Ridge School had on him was, first, the opportunity to be at a boarding school where he had to learn to take a greater degree of responsibility for his own behavior and achievement. This helped prepare him for a successful college experience. Having to take charge of his day-to-day life, and to grow more responsible for his decisions and actions also earned him the respect of his parents, who saw their son making good decisions and becoming a successful young man.
Huntley is a Blue Ridge School Alumni Class Agent and a member of the Baron Fund Advisory Council.
