Kevin Sze Scholarship Raising Funds
In his short 16-year life, Kevin Sze touched many hearts and minds. He won’t be forgotten if organizers of a scholarship fund created in his name have anything to do about it.
The Kevin Sze Scholarship Fund presented its first award last June to Jeffrey Bishop, one of the top members of the Huntington High School Class of 2009, who is now studying at George Washington University. Monies are being raised now to insure the scholarship is awarded for many years into the future.
Woodhull Intermediate School nurse Martha Ironman and Deidre Mayer, a Huntington High School teacher and the advisor for the French honor society, along with a core group of supporters marshaled their forces to sell a variety of refreshment items during a recent high school concert with the proceeds going to the Sze scholarship coffers.
Mr. Sze, who attended Woodhull, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma during the summer following fifth grade. He endured surgeries and chemo and radiation therapies but always remained positive and upbeat. “For 16 years he gave 100 percent to all that he did,” Mrs. Ironman said.
The happy teenager passed away in April 2008 during his junior year at Huntington High School. A scholarship fund in his memory was quickly established to recognize seniors who have faced and worked to overcome a significant obstacle. Organizers considered Mr. Sze’s age and his remarkable effort, multiplied the numbers and decided to present an annual award in the amount of $1,600.
French honor society members baked for the sale during the recent concert and also helped distribute scholarship promotional flyers. “Kevin Sze was a French student and Deidre Mayer was the person who home tutored him when he was receiving treatment,” Mrs. Ironman said. “Deidre has had a strong interest in helping to raise money for Kevin, and she and the French honor society have worked this year and last year, having a Bandfest, and many bake sales to raise money for this scholarship. She has been a huge driving force in helping to raise money!”
The next fundraising event is planned for Woodhull and will involve selling special Valentine’s Day greetings and pencils, which will be delivered around the school by student council members. It went over well last year and all monies raised go to the Sze scholarship.
Forms for this year’s Sze scholarship will be available in the high school guidance office sometime next month for seniors who want to apply. “Students are asked to write an essay about an obstacle they have dealt with and overcome,” Mrs. Ironman explained. A recommendation from a teacher or clergy member is also required. The award will once again be in the amount of $1,600.
For more information contact Mrs. Ironman at mironman@hufsd.edu.
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