H-ton Alumni Association Presents Senior Awards
The Huntington High School Alumni Association presented four graduating seniors with special honors during the annual academic awards ceremony held earlier this month.
This year’s coveted alumni cups were presented to Olivia Castillo and Justin Weigold. The cups are “awarded based upon character, leadership, sportsmanship and dedication to school and community, said Huntington Alumni Association President Thomas DiGiacomo.
Ms. Castillo is one of the top members of Huntington’s Class of 2015. She plans to attend the University of Delaware in the fall and study biology. The teenager served as the treasurer of the high school’s Habitat for Humanity chapter and has been a Natural Helper for three years. She was a member of the Blue Devil varsity field hockey and fencing teams.
“I’m incredibly proud to receive such an honor,” said Ms. Castillo about capturing the alumni cup. “My mom attended Huntington High School with the class of 1978 and winning the alumni cup has helped me to continue her legacy.”
The senior plans on working this summer and “preparing for my next chapter in Delaware,” she said.
Mr. Weigold is headed to SUNY Maritime College in the fall. He plans to study electrical engineering and play on the lacrosse team. He was a key member of the Blue Devils’ varsity football and lacrosse teams over the past four years.
“It was truly an honor to win the alumni cup,” said Mr. Weigold, one of the leading members of the senior class. “I was not expecting it at all. I’m so glad that I had the privilege of being recognized with this award.” The senior’s summer plans include preparing himself for college and getting ready for the regimentation and physical demands of SUNY Maritime.
The teenager has served as president of Young Leaders, a community based leadership development organization, participated with the robotics team and been a Natural Helper, assisting classmates with personal issues.
“The goal of the Huntington Alumni Association is simple: To connect Huntington’s past to its future through the strength of our tradition,” said Mr. DiGiacomo, who was joined on stage for the awards presentation by his father, Alfred DiGiacomo, a member of Huntington’s Class of 1941. The elder Mr. DiGiacomo was the architect that designed Huntington Elementary School, which today serves the district as Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School.
The Huntington Alumni Association is presenting each member of the graduating class with a commemorative pin and an invitation to get involved in the organization. For more information, visit www.huntingtonhighalumni.org or send an e-mail to alumni@huntingtonhighalumni.org.
Two Alumni Scholarships Presented
Alumni scholarships were also presented to seniors Alyssa DeVoe and William Harris during the annual ceremony in the high school auditorium. The $1,000 awards are based upon “character, citizenship, willingness to help others and academic potential,” said Tony Fiore, New York Auto Giant’s marketing and advertising director, who presented the alumni awards. Scholarship recipients must have at least one parent who is a Huntington graduate.
Mr. Fiore was on hand to represent 1987 Huntington High School alum Michael Brown, partner/owner of New York Auto Giant, which consists of 22 separate dealerships. Mr. Brown serves as the company’s vice president of operations. He earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at Boston University, where he also played football.
Ms. DeVoe will be attending the University of Rhode Island in the fall. While she is unsure of her ultimate academic major, she is interested in psychology. Both of the teenager’s parents attended Huntington High School. She was one of the general event chairs for this year’s Relay For Life, which raised more than $135,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Mr. Harris is headed to St. John’s University where he plans to study either journalism or sports management. The senior played on Huntington’s varsity football and baseball teams and compiled an outstanding academic record.
The teenager used his four years at Huntington High School wisely, writing articles for the student newspaper, working as a science lab assistant and earning top grades in a long list of Advanced Placement courses.
“What an honor it is to receive a scholarship from the Huntington Alumni Association,” Mr. Harris said. “My grandparents and my father graduated from Huntington High School and I know how proud they are of me. It is truly a privilege for me to represent my family and honoring their name.”