Cecilena Monge Moreira Garners Matthew Corcoran Scholarship

Matthew Corcoran was a personable fellow with a kind and considerate disposition and an engaging personality and sense of humor. He was popular with his classmates at Huntington High School, graduating with the Class of 2013. When he passed away unexpectedly it came as a shock to everyone, especially his loving family.

The Corcoran family has deep roots in Huntington and Mr. Corcoran’s brother, Michael is currently on the science department faculty at the high school.

While trying to make sense of a terrible tragedy, the Corcoran decided to create a scholarship award in Matthew Corcoran’s name and honor and to present it annually to a graduating senior.

Corcoran family members recently assembled on the high school auditorium stage to present the second scholarship at the annual senior awards ceremony. It was an emotional event and the crowd of 300 lent its support to the family. Mr. Corcoran passed away on June 18, 2024.

The first ever Matthew Corcoran Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 was presented to Justin D’Eloia. He is studying maritime services and is a member of the regiment at SUNY Maritime College.

Mr. Corcoran was well known throughout Huntington. He worked at the Huntington Yacht Club, rising to the rank of captain and assistant dock master. Mr. D’Eloia has also worked at the Huntington Yacht Club and he shares a love for the water with Mr. Corcoran.

This year’s recipient is an equally deserving and accomplishment Huntington senior and member of the Class of 2026; Cecilena Monge Moreira.

An Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor, Ms. Monge Moreira was among those seniors celebrated as Distinguished Seniors last spring.

“The support of my friends, family, and teachers, whose encouragement has motivated me to pursue my goals, surrounding myself with friends who share a strong work ethic and determination to reach their goals has also inspired me to stay motivated and continually strive to improve,” Ms. Monge Moreira said. “I have most enjoyed playing sports, participating in clubs like Habitat for Humanity and Natural Helpers, and interning for Mr. Corcoran in his Regents Chemistry class. The highlights of my extracurricular involvement include participating in various science research competitions across Long Island, serving as president of Natural Helpers and the Spanish Honor Society, and holding the role of treasurer in the English Honor Society.”

Ms. Monge Moreira plans to study comprehensive sciences at Villanova University.