Luca Cuozzo Captures Justin Giani Memorial Scholarship

An academic and athletic star, Luca Cuozzo enjoyed one of the most sensational runs through Huntington High School of anyone, ever. An Advanced Placement Scholar, he shined in everything, especially the Virtual Enterprise business program and with the Blue Devil varsity lacrosse team.

An honorable mention All-American and second team All-Long Island honoree, Mr. Cuozzo added Suffolk Faceoff Specialist of the Year, Newsday Top 100 and All-County recognition to his list of awards. He is headed to the University of Massachusetts-Amherst to study finance after being recruited to play on the NCAA Division I lacrosse team there.

Mr. Cuozzo is this year’s recipient of the Justin Louis Giani Memorial Scholarship. The award carries a stipend of $4,000, allotted in annual amounts of $1,000 for each of four years of college.

The scholarship was announced by Associated Teachers of Huntington President James Graber and presented to Mr. Cuozzo by Mr. Giani’s parents, Linda and Joseph. The award honors a wonderful young man who will never be forgotten for his sunny disposition and genial good nature, devotion to family and friends and love of competition.

The Justin Louis Giani Memorial Scholarship has become one of the most cherished and meaningful awards presented annually at Huntington High School.

An outstanding student, Mr. Giani compiled a 95 academic grade average, graduating near the top of Huntington’s Class of 2007. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Drexel University in Philadelphia where he majored in finance and competed on the NCAA Division I wrestling team.

Mr. Giani was all all-around great guy with a charismatic, magnetic personality. People gravitated toward him and he was the life of any party. His smile and laugh could disarm anyone. He worked hard at everything he did and was capable of achieving incredible accomplishments in life.

Mr. Giani won varsity letters with the Blue Devil cross country and wrestling squads. He was the classmate and teammate that everyone loved.

The Huntington alum was killed on March 28, 2015 while crossing US Highway 501 in South Carolina during a golf vacation with his friends. He was 25 years old. His death was devastating to his family as well as his former classmates, teammates, teachers and coaches.

A scholarship fund was created to help perpetuate Mr. Giani’s legacy and memory at his alma mater. It has been awarded to a select group of exceptional graduating seniors ever since.

Mr. Giani interned at Philadelphia based film distributor Breaking Glass Pictures before being hired full-time by the company and helping to develop its “financial architecture” and helping steer it toward acquisitions as it went about building its brand.

“Justin was more than an employee; he was a master of numbers, a ball of energy, an even-keeled ray of light that brought smiles to all he crossed paths with; no matter the situation,” the company said in a statement following the Huntington alum’s passing. “As we mourn the loss of a member of the Breaking Glass Pictures family and team, we more importantly celebrate the life of one of the world’s true gifts. Justin was always so full of life and happiness and we will always remember him that way.”

Mr. Cuozzo was recognized as a Distinguished Senior last spring after compiling an academic grade average in excess of 90 during every semester of high school.

“The key to my success has been having a strong support system of friends and family,” Mr. Cuozzo said. “I’ve had some great teachers and coaches who have consistently pushed me to be my best.”

Mr. Giani’s memory at his alma mater will never be extinguished. The flame continues to brightly burn through the annual scholarship that bears his name.