Dynamic Duo Captures
October Dawn Scholarships
The October Dawn scholarship is presented annually to a graduating Huntington High School senior. It carries a generous stipend. But, tradition was shattered this year when two outstanding seniors were selected for the very special award.
Kyle Hansen and Katy Laurie were tapped as recipients for this year’s October Dawn scholarships. The college-bound teenagers each won a $2,000 award.
The scholarship is presented in memory of Kathryn A. DeGelleke, a special education teacher and Centerport resident who passed away September 22, 2009 after a two-year battle with cancer. She was 53 years old.
Mrs. DeGelleke worked in the district as a home tutor and provided instructional support services. Her husband, Scott presented Mr. Hansen and Ms. Laurie with the scholarships during Huntington’s senior academic awards ceremony in the high school auditorium.
Scholarship applicants are asked to submit a one-page essay detailing what obstacles they have overcome in high school, their future plans and why they believe they should be awarded the scholarship.
Mr. DeGelleke noted that it was a complete break with tradition to present two scholarship awards, but he said Mr. Hansen and Ms. Laurie were both deserving and he found it impossible to select one over the other.
“I am very honored and grateful to be receiving the October Dawn Scholarship, especially from a family like the DeGelleke’s,” Mr. Hansen said. “I cannot thank them enough for giving Katy Laurie and I each a full scholarship. I really appreciate their offer, as it will definitely help with college. This shows a great amount of generosity from the family and I highly respect them for it.”
Mr. Hansen is headed to Kutztown University in Pennsylvania where he intends to major in psychology and minor in music. He hopes to help children who has social and anxiety issues. The teenager was the Blue Devil marching band’s field major and clarinet section leader last year when Huntington enjoyed an undefeated competitive season and won the New York State Field Band Conference championship along with the Governor’s Cup.
The new alum has also been a member of the wind ensemble, symphony orchestra and pit orchestra, participated in the New York State School Music Association, been inducted into the Tri-M Music Honor Society and even played guitar with the high school’s jazz ensemble.
Mr. Hansen’s long association with the Boy Scouts of America recently culminated when he earned the Eagle Scout Award. He has worked with younger scouts as the climb through the organization’s ranks.
Ms. Laurie plans to attend Eastern University in Philadelphia and study special education in preparation for a career as a teacher. She was one of the Blue Devil soccer team’s stars last fall. The teenager participated in Huntington High School’s internship program as a senior, working with a special education teacher in a Life Skills program class.
“Katy has tremendous potential,” said Bernadette Walsh, the high school’s college counselor. “She is an honest, caring, noble young woman who I am proud to have worked with. She is proactive, friendly, outgoing, trustworthy, loyal, dependable and responsible. These attributes are admirable in anyone and Katy has repeatedly exhibited all of them. She will be missed by this high school.”