July 23, 2025
Amanda Hungria “Bold by Nature”
By John Myers
By Emily Batista
Amanda Hungria is someone who maintains an open and curious mind. Born on Valentine’s Day in 2009—she is an Aquarius baby through and through. Even before she could form a conscious thought, a quiet tug-of-war had occurred over what name she’d carry. Her father wanted to name her Shea—it felt easy and light. Her mother disagreed. “No, we’re not doing that,” she said.
Yet-to-be-named Amanda had settled patiently—quietly, until her visiting aunt from Florida began recommending a list of names aloud—and there it was, “Amanda.” A beautiful name originating from latin ‘to be loveable.’ To her parents, the name just clicked. A striking name grounded and chosen with care, and with the same intentionality her mother made that day, Amanda carries herself with that same spirit. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Amanda and getting to know the person behind her name—how she grew into it rather than just carrying it, and the values that she holds close.
Growing up, Amanda navigated her role as an older sister and a younger sister—positioned between her older brother, now 24, and two younger siblings she resides with at home. Amanda’s bond with her brother had once been distant due to their wide age gap, but with time they eventually reconnected. As Amanda grew older, it led to both her and her brother holding common ground with each other, deepening their relationship. Being an older sister too, shaped Amanda and mended her. Her best friend Elise Diaz describes her as a natural role model, “patient, fun, sweet, and genuinely caring.” Her familial ties in New York City formed a foundation of community and empathy, qualities that can be seen in every friendship and interaction Amanda has.
Amanda considers herself a “city mouse” at heart, and it shows in various ways. Not in the timid sense–but as someone energized and attracted to bustling movement and community. The city isn’t just a place—but an extension of who she is. The city mirrors Amanda’s bubbly personality, and includes warmth and openness.
At Central Park East High School in East Harlem, Amanda found more than a routine and education; she found a community of belonging. Student life there was an encouraging beginning for Amanda. She threw herself full swing into her school programs–one highlight being the cheer squad her freshman year. Performing at her school’s annual pep rally quickly became a core cherished moment. It was different. Her high energy was being met and was in sync with the environment. Her adrenaline levels peaked. “Usually I felt my energy was sometimes too much,” she said. Yet, at the pep rally, impressionable ‘freshie’ Amanda found a place where her energy could not only be tolerated, but celebrated.
Amanda’s personality is also a mix of curiosity and optimism. She’s able to light up the room without trying, carrying boundless energy yet being attentive when needed. She feels that her personality aligns with the motto “If I don’t try, I’ll never know.” This mindset pushes her, seen in many of her hobbies, and leads her into a deep dive in a variety of sports.
Swimming was one of the first sports she committed to. Immersed in the sport until she was 13, she couldn’t intially see the connection between swimming and her personality. As an individual sport, it didn’t align with her natural tendency toward being a social butterfly. She tended to thrive more in group activities, liking “more of a sense of unity,” she noted. This self-awareness contributes to an important part of her personality. A quality not only shaping her sporty self and athletic pursuits, but how she builds her social world, and how she navigates life– never afraid of “flying” when she knows when something isn’t quite right for her.
Amanda’s story is still being written, and she dreams of becoming a journalist– not for the spotlight but to make space for other voices. She is driven from a deep belief in the power of storytelling for good, and she hopes to share the unheard narratives that commonly go unheard in mainstream media. Wherever she ends up in the future, ending up at the University of Texas at Austin campus–one of her dream colleges, studying journalism–-or possibly somewhere else entirely, she will carry a future with bold driven energy no matter where she goes.
