SCHOLARSHIP HONOREES' PROFILES & WINNERS The Alexander Baldwin Memorial Scholarship for Academics Alexander Baldwin Mr. Baldwin was a teacher and a coach in the Massapequa school system for 30+ years. When he wasn’t teaching- he was raising 6 children, 4 of whom are now known as the famous Baldwin brothers. Mr. Baldwin also ran the recreation program at Massapequa HS for decades and kept the high school gym open on weekends and Thursday evenings so that kids could have a healthy place to go to channel their energy. WINNERS 2002 Jane Park 2003 Chistopher Wicker 2004 Matthew Schwartz 2005 Katie Hill The George Cain Memorial Scholarship for the Arts George Cain George Cain was NYC firefighter from Massapequa who lost his life while he was rescuing people in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 after the terrorist attacks there. George was kind-hearted and honorable. He was a man who was true to himself – he was not a follower. His firehouse comrades described him as being very ‘low maintenance’. If he needed something, or if something needed to be done, George got it done. His mother remembers him being this way from the time he was a little boy. Perhaps in some way, George knew he would not have much time in this life – and so he wasted very little of it while he was here. George was single and is survived by his mother Rosemary, who still lives in Massapequa and his brother Dan and his sisters Nancy and Erin. WINNERS 2002 Erin Giventer 2003 Joshua Firer 2004 Jessica Treubig 2005 Brittany Alesi The Haskell Brothers Memorial Scholarship for Achievements in Athletics Thomas Haskell Tommy Haskell was a resident of Massapequa and a Battalion Chief for the NYC Fire Department. He was an exceptional student athlete while at Seaford HS earning all League Honors in football. He was a devoted family man to his wife Barbara and their three young daughters, Meaghan, Erin and Tara. Tommy also excelled in his career with the New York City Fire Department. On September 11th, while leading his men in the rescue efforts at The World Trade Center, Tommy heroically laid down his life so that others could live. Timothy Haskell Timmy Haskell was a firefighter for the NYC Fire Department. He was an adventurous individual who loved and lived life to its fullest. Timmy had a passion for scuba diving, boating, flying and spending time with his family. He also volunteered teaching fire safety with his trained Dalmation Blaze. Timmy helped to save 25,000 lives before making the supreme sacrifice at The World Trade Center. In addition to Tom’s wife and children their mother Maureen, brothers Ken and Kevin and sister Dawn survive both men. WINNERS 2002 Jessica Powers 2003 Micheal LaBella 2004 Daniel Young 2005 Jack McKeon The Meg D’Elia Memorial Scholarship for Character Meg D'Elia Meg D’Elia was raised in Massapequa and graduated from Massapequa HS. While at MHS, Meg won all-county lacrosse honors while she was leading scorer in Nassau County during her senior year. More importantly, she was very close to her family and had many, many friends – and is remembered for her fantastic energy level and wonderful personality. Simply put, she was a joy to be around. Meg showed us her true character when she courageously fought lymphoma for 2 years before passing away. Her husband Doug Reynolds and their two children Bryan and Lindsay, her parents Ann and Tony, her brothers John, Michael and Tony and her sister Mary Beth, survive Meg. WINNERS 2003 Evan Wagner 2004 Susanne Stuppert 2005 Caitlin Cross-Hansen The Michael Beier Memorial Scholarship for Character Michael Beier Michael Beier was a 1981 graduate of Berner High School who had a very successful career on Wall Street for almost 2 decades. For 10 years he was director of equity trading for Credit Suisse First Boston. Upon receiving the mews in late 2000 that he had ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), Michael channeled his energies into raising money for research and awareness of ALS. He once described himself as someone who “could talk the ears off a brass monkey” and he used his gift of gab and business connections to raise millions of dollars for ALS research. Michael’s advocacy won him many awards and the admiration of just about everyone with whom he came into contact with. Upon learning of the Massapequa Community Fund, Michael made a significant donation to the Fund because he wanted to give back to the community that meant so much to him. Michael passed away in April of 2003. His wife Theresa and their children Carly and Dustin, his parents Robert and Kathleen, his brothers Bob and Joe and his sisters Susan and Kathleen survive Michael. WINNERS 2003 Nicole Couch 2004 Lauren Houseman 2005 Zack Richter The Daniel O’Callaghan Memorial Scholarship for Character Daniel O'Callaghan Dan O’Callaghan was a NYC firefighter from Massapequa who lost his life while he was rescuing people in The World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 after the terrorist attacks there. Dan was well known for his sense of humor and his willingness to help his family and friends. His wife Rhonda and their children Reannon and Connor as well as his brothers Bill, Joe, Tim, Mike and his sisters Maureen and Helene survive Dan. WINNERS 2002 Samantha Napolitano & Eric Smith 2003 Nicholas Schweigert 2004 Sharon Farkas & Christopher Chimeri 2005 Alisha Laventure & William Fluhr The Carol Thompson Memorial Scholarship for Character Carol Thompson Carol Thompson was a long-time Massapequa resident who had strong community involvement at many levels. She was a devoted wife to former Mayor of Massapequa, Robert Thompson and mother to her four children and 11grandchildren. Carol devoted a lot of her time as a longtime member of Our Lady of Lourdes church, where she was the President of Parish Council, a Member of the Rosary Society and taught religion to 3rd graders. In her last month of life, she showed more courage than most could withstand. Her strength, determination, compassion made her a pillar in the Massapequa community. WINNER- 2005 Samantha Schorr The Richard Doherty Memorial Scholarship for Character Richard Doherty Richard Doherty was a beloved reading teacher and wrestling coach in the Massapequa School District for more than 30 years. His gentle demeanor, tireless devotion and his unique ability to motivate helped many students and athletes realize their full potential. For Mr. Doherty it wasn’t about being the “smartest student” in the classroom or the most “gifted athlete” on the field. It was all about overcoming adversity and challenging oneself to be the very best person possible. It is for these reasons that his children, Diane, Michael, Matthew, Christopher, Elizabeth and Kevin, wish to remember his inspiration by presenting a Character Scholarship in his name to a deserving Massapequa High School student. WINNER- 2005 Heather Palleschi The Dolores Genovese Scholarship for Education A resident of Massapequa for more than 50 years, Dolores retired in 1997 after having been an elementary school teacher in District 23 for close to 30 years. In addition, Dolores along with her husband Tony have raised four children, all of whom graduated from the Massapequa School System. Since 1997, Dolores has continued her volunteer work for a number of organizations, including: the Interfaith Nutrition Network (Soup Kitchen in Freeport), the Scholarship Committee of the Retired Teachers of Massapequa, the Corresponding Secretary of the Italian Cultural Society and Chairperson of the Scholarship Committee, as a member of the Massapequa Woman’s Club specifically on the Child Welfare Committee and at the RSVP program, where, once a week she tutors children in the Copiague Elementary School Resource Room. Dolores is the embodiment of an educator in the Massapequa School System whose love of the community is only outweighed by her generosity towards it. WINNER- 2005 Christine Koenigsman The Eric Bayreuther Memorial Scholarship for Athletics Eric Bayreuther was a life long resident of Massapequa, whose first love was Baseball. He excelled at the sport from a young age. He starred on several Massapequa International League teams that advanced to the State Finals with Eric captaining the squad. He continued his baseball success in H.S. at Chaminade, were he was an All-County catcher and Captain of two State Tournament teams. Eric graduated from Chaminade H.S. in 1996, and won a partial baseball scholarship to Georgetown University. Although injuries cut short his college career, he graduated from Georgetown University in 2000. Eric returned to Massapequa and volunteered as a coach for the Massapequa International League 12-13 year old team until his tragic death in a car accident. Eric touched many in his short life, and with this scholarship will continue to do what he did while involved with baseball: help others. The Bayreuther Family has asked that this scholarship be awarded to someone like Eric: not necessarily the best student, or the best player on his team, but the best brother, the best son and the best friend anyone could ever dream of having. WINNER- 2005 Robert Bencivenga The James & Eileen Healy Memorial Scholarship for Character James & Eilleen Healy James & Eileen Healy lived in Massapequa Park for over 40 years where they raised their nine children. They were the type of parents who sacrificed their wants, for the needs of others; who went without; who wanted for only the simple pleasures; who saw their success in the happiness of others. They were people of wit, intelligence, high moral standards, enduring faith, generosity & love. And when it came to supporting their family, their friends or just those who were in need – they were always there. Their spirit has lived on after their passing in the devotion and love that has been engrained into their children, their spouses and their families. WINNER- 2005 Jenna Provenzano The Jo Anne DeMartino Memorial Scholarship for Education Jo Anne DeMartino The Jo Anne DeMartino Memorial Scholarship has been established to offer assistance to a student who has a career goal in the elementary education field and who demonstrates strong character, social responsibility, and moral values, as well as academic achievement. Jo Anne was a long time resident of Massapequa who felt a child’s education was the most important responsibility of society. Jo Anne obtained her Master’s Degree in Education and taught kindergarten and elementary school children for over 20 years. Along with her husband, she established her family, with Social Services, as an emergency foster family for children who needed to be removed from dangerous situations. She was also very active in St Martin of Tours as a teacher, volunteer, pre-cana instructor, Eucharistic minister, as well as teacher at the Seminary for students entering the priesthood. Her greatest achievement was raising her 4 children, and 9 grandchildren. Along with the joys of her children and grandchildren, Jo Anne was an artist, poet, and published author. She lost her battle with breast cancer at age 54. WINNER- 2005 Kimberly Skeggs