Melissa Cartagena Wins
Kevin Sze Scholarship
A scholarship in memory of Kevin Sze, a young man remembered around the Huntington School District as a kind and gentle soul, was presented to senior Melissa Cartagena, who is headed to Nassau Community College in the fall.
The $1,600 scholarship was awarded by Huntington High School nurse Martha Ironman at the high school's senior academic awards night held earlier this month. The evening saw the top members of the Class of 2011 reap tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships.
Mr. Sze, who attended Woodhull, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma during the summer following fifth grade. "He underwent surgeries, chemo and radiation therapies and through it all managed to remain positive and upbeat," said Mrs. Ironman, who became acquainted with Mr. Sze while she was Woodhull's nurse. "For 16 years he gave 100 percent to all that he did." Those two numbers form the basis for the scholarship totaling $1,600.
The happy teenager passed away in April 2008 during his junior year at Huntington High School. It was a devastating loss for the teachers and classmates who cherished the well-liked young man. A scholarship fund in his memory was soon established "to recognize seniors who have faced an obstacle and how that obstacle was overcome," Mrs. Ironman said.
Ms. Cartagena is known around Huntington High School as "a considerate person, a great kid, who is always looking out for others," Mrs. Ironman said. "She loves school and feels that she got a lot out of her experiences in Huntington."
Applicants for the award were asked to describe how a particularly difficult experience had served to help them in life. The seniors who applied for the scholarship wrote about medical, emotional and physical obstacles they have encountered.
After reading through each of the applications, a committee selected Ms. Cartagena as the scholarship's third annual recipient. Jeffrey Bishop won the inaugural award in 2009 and Chelsey Hoole-Shlakman was last year's honoree.
"Melissa has a great outlook and certainly is a worthy winner of the Kevin Sze Scholarship," Mrs. Ironman said.