Travyon Toney Wins Ray Deren Memorial Scholarship
Ray Deren's place Blue Devil athletic history is secure. The gifted administrator's creativity and foresight produced stunning growth in the number of opportunities available for Huntington student-athletes. His planning and determination continues to benefit legions of teenagers annually.
A trailblazer in the field of athletic innovation, Mr. Deren played a key role in many initiatives that today are ingrained in the district and cherished by the community. Although he passed away more than a decade ago, his influence is still visible.
At this year's 44th Blue Devil senior athletic awards banquet, which Mr. Deren created in 1969 to recognize and honor senior students who have participated in athletics, Hobart College-bound Travyon Toney, was presented with a handsome plaque and $500 scholarship in honor of the longtime district director of health, physical education and athletics.
"My dad believed that students who participated in athletics would have the most success in their careers and relationships," said Mr. Deren's daughter, Georgia McCarthy, who now fills the same position her father once did. She was joined for the award presentation by her mother, Carol, son Kenny, sister Kelly and brother-in-law Kevin.
The Deren Scholarship recognizes athletes who have consistently showed dedication to their academic and athletic programs and are determined to complete a college education while participating in athletes.
Mr. Deren was so steadfast in his belief that athletics encompasses so much of what is good in this world, that it was ingrained in his inner being. Athletes held a special place in the administrator's world and his daughter proudly listed all the reasons why this was so.
"They are obligated to work well with others on a daily basis in some of the most unique situations," Mrs. McCarthy said. "Athletes have a strong work ethic, can problem solve, be unselfish and manage their time. These are just a few of the skills that are second nature and will help athletes to live happy and successful lives. This banquet is all about you who have put so much time and energy into this strong program."
Mr. Toney starred on the football and winter and spring track and field teams in each of the past four years, serving as captain for each squad. "His positive attitude and strong work ethic were contagious," Mrs. McCarthy said. "He is a natural leader who makes decisions based on logic and then accepts responsibility for the outcomes."
Despite sustaining a painful injury during football season, Mr. Toney fought his way back to the playing field, earning All-County honors for the second time. On the track team, he won the freshman and sophomore county discus crowns, qualified for the state championship as a junior and was ranked No. 1 in New York for more than a month as a senior. He is the recipient of the Ed Knook Award presented to Suffolk's top thrower.
During Mr. Deren's tenure the number of athletic teams sponsored by the district skyrocketed from 28 to 70 and the program was seen as a model by districts across New York. A true visionary, he identified the need for a full-time athletic trainer, a first for a Long Island high school, writing the job description for the position. Throughout his tenure he pushed for improvements to the district's athletic program and sports facilities.
Mr. Deren passed away on February 28, 1999, but his memory lives on through the annual presentation of a scholarship created in his honor by his family.
Ray Deren Memorial Scholarship Winners through the Years
1999 Jonathan Searles and Alie Madden
2000 Christopher Mooney
2001 Doug Kocis
2002 James Creighton
2003 Brandon Logigian and Kathleen Macari
2004 Pierre Delva and Emily Sammis
2005 Charlie Paar and Jillian Beck
2006 Scott Kocis and Erin Turner
2007 Zachary Howell
2008 Eddie Santos and Casey Scully
2009 Brian Ruggiero and Julie Forster
2010 Angela Bosco
2011 Emma Hayes-Hurley and Peter Kingston
2012 Trayvon Toney