Maidson Biernacki Captures
Pettit Scholarship
T. Christopher Pettit is one of Huntington High School's legendary scholars and athletes. A member of the Class of 1963, he captained three varsity teams and went on to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he was an All-American lacrosse player and the Scarlet Knights' leading scorer.
Born in Huntington Hospital on February 18, 1945, Mr. Pettit was a battery commander on a missile base in what was then West Germany. He also served in combat as an Army Ranger in the Vietnam War, earning two Bronze Stars and moving up the ranks to captain.
Following his military career, the Huntington alum joined Lehman Brothers in 1977, climbing through the commercial paper and bond divisions. Mr. Pettit was named a partner in 1982 and eventually became the storied Wall Street firm's president and chief operating officer. He left the company on November 26, 1996.
Mr. Pettit was killed while snowmobiling at night on a frozen lake near Windham, Maine on February 15, 1997. He reportedly hit a stump and his helmet dislodged as he was thrown from the vehicle. He sustained a massive head injury and passed away while being rushed to a nearby hospital. He was 51 years old.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Mr. Pettit's family created an annual scholarship that provides a four-year award worth a total of $10,000 ($2,500 per year) to a graduating Huntington High School senior.
This year's top Pettit scholarship was presented to Madison Biernacki, who is headed to James Madison University in Virginia where she plans to major in communications and participate in the school's pre-law program.
Huntington Class of 2012 members Samantha Palmer, Daniel Plant and Joseph Straub were each presented with one-time $500 Pettit scholarships for their outstanding high school scholastic and co-curricular academic records. Ms. Palmer will attend Northeastern University in the fall. Mr. Plant is headed to Rutgers University. Mr. Straub will attend James Madison University.
"Winning the Pettit scholarship was one of the proudest moments of my life," Ms. Biernacki said. "It's such an honor to have the Pettit family recognize my efforts in the classroom, on the field and in the community. It is a feeling I will never forget."
In addition to being a giant in the international financial world, Mr. Pettit found time to coach youth lacrosse, soccer and basketball. He was one of the founders of the Cold Spring Harbor-Huntington Youth Lacrosse Club. The former Blue Devil and Army great was inducted into the Long Island Metro Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1994.
"To win such a prestigious award, it motivates me to continue all that I am doing and to leave an impact on wherever life may take me," Ms. Biernacki said. "I will forever thank the Pettit family. I truly am grateful."
In addition to his work at Lehman Brothers, Mr. Pettit was a key contributor to cancer research. He was among those who helped organize the Dorothy Rodbell Cohen Foundation for Sarcoma Research, which has provided millions of dollars in grants over the years.
During her years at Huntington High School, Ms. Biernacki captained the field hockey and lacrosse teams, was co-president of the National History Day Club and was a member of Key Club and the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and English Honor Society. She earned third place in the NHD Long Island regional finals at Hofstra University for her documentary "The Beatles and their Impact on the U.S.S.R."