Jeremyah Leiva Wins Robert Henneborn Award for Citizenship

The Huntington Fire Department thinks so highly of Jeremyah Leiva that the organization presented its coveted Honorary Chief Robert Henneborn Award for Citizenship to the Huntington High School Class of 2026 member.

Huntington Fire Department Ex-Chief Neil Getter presented the award during a public ceremony that drew a crowd of 375 to the auditorium. The award carries with it a $500 stipend.

“My success was built on resilience and learning to embrace challenges not as roadblocks, but as valuable opportunities to sharpen my skills and determination,” Mr. Leiva said. “What I enjoyed most was serving as a bridge between the student body and administration. It taught me the power of advocacy and the importance of ensuring every student’s voice had a seat at the table.”

Mr. Leiva intends to study biological sciences at the University of Connecticut. He was recognized as a Distinguished Senior earlier this spring after compiling an academic grade average in excess of 90 during every semester of high school.

“Fencing has been the defining highlight of my high school career because it taught me to treat every challenge as a game of high-speed chess,” Mr. Leiva said. “Learning to anticipate an opponent’s move while remaining disciplined in my own technique has given me a strategic mindset that I now apply to every academic and personal goal.”