Thomas Smith Garners First Ever Pierre Delva Memorial Award

Pierre Delva made an impact during his four years at Huntington High School, helping Blue Devil teams win during all three seasons and developing unforgettable relationships that endured well past graduation.

Mr. Delva graduated from Huntington High School in 2004 and is widely remembered as a phenomenal athlete and kind-hearted human being. He was an all-state football player, a county champion in wrestling and he played four years of varsity lacrosse.

In school and among his friends, Mr. Delva was known for his warm demeanor, kindness to others and his ability to fill up a room with laughter. His exceptional athletic accomplishments coupled with his charisma and respect for others made him one of the most highly admired students at Huntington High School.

“A fiercely loyal friend and teammate, Pierre embodied the characteristics to which all student-athletes should aspire,” said Michael Schwendemann, who served as master of ceremonies at the 57th annual Blue Devil athletic awards ceremony. “In his memory, The Pierre Delva Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a college bound athlete who has excelled in multiple varsity sports and has demonstrated the qualities of character that Pierre exemplified.”

Assistant Superintendent Brenden Cusack presented the first ever Delva scholarship at the athletic awards ceremony earlier this month.

Mr. Delva was fatally struck by a car on October 15, 2024 at the age of 38. Born in Haiti, he won the 2004 Suffolk wrestling championship and earned a full scholarship to play football at LIU Post, highlighting his passion for athletics.

Known for his beautiful soul and a heart of gold, Mr. Delva brought joy and laughter to everyone around him. Friends and family will forever cherish his kindness, love and caring spirit, which will be deeply missed.

Mr. Delva’s many loyal friends and family members came together to create a $1,500 scholarship in his name.

“The first ever recipient of the Pierre Delva Memorial Scholarship played on the football, wrestling and lacrosse teams, serving as captain of all three squads,” Mr. Schwendemann told the award ceremony crowd. “He displayed a quiet strength and determination and worked hard to achieve his goals. He is an excellent student academically and plans to play lacrosse at Vassar College: Thomas Smith.”

Mr. Smith said that “staying determined and motivated has been the foundation for academic success; whether it meant staying focused in class, completing all assignments or studying hard for exams. One of the most meaningful parts of high school has been the friendships and connections made with classmates through both academics and athletics. From facing tough courses together to countless practices and games, these shared experiences have created memories that will last long after graduation.”