Gabriella Cuadra Captures the
Cohen Scholarship
Joel Cohen's classmates have aptly attested to the school spirit he displayed all through high school and well into adulthood. He loved Huntington High School and was well-known as one of its proudest and most accomplished graduates.
The legendary local business owner was so successful that following his death, the Cohen family endowed a generous scholarship fund to perpetuate his memory at his alma mater.
This year the fund presented a $2,000 award to Class of 2012 member Gabriella Cuadra. The teenager is headed to Monroe College in the fall. The institution's main campus is in The Bronx, with smaller campuses in New Rochelle and St. Lucia. The school is a private, proprietary college with about 7,700 students spread over its three campuses and online programs. It offers two year, four year and graduate degrees.
Ms. Cuadra wore the look of a proud young woman on her face as she was presented with the prestigious award during this year's senior academic awards night in the Huntington High School auditorium.
Mr. Cohen was born in Huntington and was as thoroughly a Blue Devil as any one person can be. A 1939 Huntington graduate, Mr. Cohen was an exceptional student and an integral member of several athletic teams, including the powerful football squad led by storied head coach William Class. He later served a long and fruitful stretch as president of Huntington's Alumni Association.
A large old-fashioned, non-mechanical megaphone that Mr. Cohen would use to whip fellow students into delirium during athletic events is in the collection of the Huntington's School Heritage Museum. It symbolizes a bygone era in Blue Devil sports history.
The famed owner of a local business products company, Mr. Cohen was deeply involved in the community and many of its organizations. He organized the Town of Huntington's celebration of America's bicentennial in 1976. It was in this spirit of service to others that the Cohen family created the Joel H. and Selma D. Cohen Vocational Scholarship. The first award was presented in 1993 following Mr. Cohen's untimely death.
Mr. Cohen's widow, Selma and the couple's son, Martin were on hand for the scholarship presentation. Mrs. Cohen spoke eloquently about her late husband and about Ms. Cuadra, her high school accomplishments and future potential.
Mr. Cohen's contributions to Huntington are commemorated in Heckscher Park. It is there that a Japanese cherry tree was planted in his honor. It is accompanied by a descriptive plaque celebrating one of the most colorful characters and generous gentleman in local history.