Hillary Hardardt Captures Quentin Sammis Scholarship
Quentin Byron Sammis is one of Huntington High School’s most accomplished graduates. So winning a scholarship created in his honor by the Kiwanis Club of Huntington is a splendid accomplishment for Hillary Hardardt, a member of Huntington’s Class of 2015.
Mr. Sammis was a member of Huntington’s Class of 1942. He went on to serve his country as an ensign in the United States Navy, earn an electrical engineering degree at Georgia School of Technology (he began his college studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) and an MBA at Harvard Business School, serve as owner and president of Coldwell Banker Sammis real estate and Sammis, Smith & Brush insurance as well as lead Friends World College as its president.
The Quentin Sammis Memorial Award is given to individuals who show “great passion” for service to their school and community, according to Kiwanis Club President Barbara Macchiaroli, who presented the award during Huntington High School’s senior academic awards ceremony last week.
The Huntington Kiwanis Club believes Ms. Hardardt is exactly the kind of energetic and enthusiastic young woman that is capable of making a positive difference in society. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers, dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time.
The Kiwanis Club considers the sponsorship of its service leadership programs, such as the Key Clubs, to be some of the most important projects it undertakes. The Key Club seeks to develop leadership, build character and provide service to the school and community.
Considering her efforts on behalf of Huntington’s Key Club, Ms. Hardardt seems like a natural choice for the scholarship presented in honor of Mr. Sammis, who served as town supervisor and as a town board member and was a charter member and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Huntington.
“I’m thrilled to be the recipient of the Kiwanis Club’s Quentin Sammis Memorial Award,” Ms. Hardardt said. “Key Club is something I have really enjoyed being a part of during my four years at the high school. I am honored to be recognized for my service. I have particularly grown passionate about the Sears holiday shopping tour hosted by the Kiwanis Club each year. This is an event where we help underprivileged children in the Huntington community shop for their winter essentials.”
The teenager is headed to Boston College in the fall. She plans to study in the Lynch School of Education, pursuing a double major in elementary education and mathematics. She interned in a Southdown School third grade classroom during her senior year.
Vice president of the Math Honor Society, corresponding secretary of the Class of 2015 and a member of the National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, English Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Art Honor Society, Ms. Hardardt compiled an enviable academic record. She plans to spend the summer working as a counselor at Camp Alvernia in Centerport. It will be her fourth year there.
Ms. Hardardt was presented with a special certificate by Ms. Macchiaroli, along with a check for $1,000, which represents the stipend that comes with the Quentin Sammis Memorial Award.
Ms. Sammis founded the Townwide Fund of Huntington and the Huntington Arts Council and at one time or another was integrally involved in the YMCA, Huntington Hospital, the Visiting Nurse Service and the Family Service League. The Huntington High School graduate served in the US Navy during World War II and in the U.S. Navy Reserve for two decades.
Mr. Sammis, whose family has lived in Huntington village for generations dating to the Revolutionary War, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones on August 29, 2007 after battling cancer for 13 months. He was 83.