Alan Kuver will always be remembered around Huntington High School. He gave everyone he worked with everything he had for as long as he could. The veteran teacher passed away on July 1, 2014 after a 10 month battle with esophageal cancer, leaving behind admiring colleagues and countless Blue Devil fencers who will never forget their coach.
Even after Mr. Kuver received his terrifying diagnosis he continued to teach and coach while undergoing treatment. He was in his classroom until the final week of the 2013/14 school year, when he just couldn’t make it to work any longer. He passed away just two weeks later.
A Huntington High School alum, Mr. Kuver was so closely associated with the Blue Devil boys’ and girls’ fencing teams that has been difficult to follow the sport since his passing without seeing him involved in it.
Three scholarships worth $1,000 were presented to members of Huntington’s Class of 2018 in honor of Mr. Kuver, who remains a source of inspiration for his faculty colleagues, fellow coaches and the students and athletes he worked with.
Dylan Bluemer, Christina Varady and Lars Drace all captured one of the three special awards presented in Mr. Kuver’s memory, which remains vivid to those who worked closely with the gifted educator and coach.
All three of the scholarship recipients competed on the Blue Devil fencing team. It was a sport that Mr. Kuver loved with all his heart and he gave countless hours of his time to Huntington kids interested in mastering the intricacies of fencing.
Mr. Bluemer and Ms. Varady will both be attending New York Institute of Technology. Mr. Drace will be studying at Binghamton University.
Christopher Williams, one of Mr. Kuver’s classmates at Huntington High School presented Mr. Bluemer and Ms. Varady with $1,000 scholarships. But first he regaled a crowd of 300 in colorful and animated fashion about the life and qualities of Mr. Kuver and what it means to be a Huntington alum.
Captain of the Blue Devil fencing team as a junior and senior, Mr. Bluemer plans to study computer science at NYIT. Hardworking and talented, he earned stellar grades while displaying both strong leadership and sportsmanship over the past four years.
Ms. Varady is interested in pursuing a biochemistry major. She won numerous academic awards during high school, including in the National History Day contest. One of the top students in the Class of 2018, her work ethic and commitment to her studies is second to none.
Associated Teachers of Huntington President James Graber presented a $1,000 scholarship to Mr. Drace. The ATH pledged to present an annual scholarship in memory of Mr. Kuver during the decade following his passing.
Mr. Drace is interested in studying mechanical or electrical engineering at Binghamton. A six-year member of the Blue Devil varsity fencing team, he is also a spectacular graphic artist, displaying his work at an exhibit sponsored by the Huntington Arts Council. Diligent, conscientious and kind, the teenager looks to his family for guidance and encouragement.
Alan Drew Kuver
Alan Drew Kuver was a member of Huntington High School’s Class of 1984. An articulate, soft-spoken man with a wonderful sense of humor, he was also a great conversationalist. He could hold court on almost any topic. His colleagues found him fascinating.
At the 46th annual Blue Devil senior athletic awards dinner in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium in June 2014, just weeks before he would succumb to his illness, Mr. Kuver spoke eloquently about the Huntington fencing program, its triumphs and some of its finest moments and about each of the senior athletes he worked with during what was his final season.
Mr. Kuver was a Blue Devil fan, frequently attending home and away games of sport teams as his schedule would allow. A dedicated coach, he devoted countless hours to working with his athletes year-round and maintaining their delicate equipment. He always had time to offer wise counsel and valuable advice to someone seeking it.
In addition to his long association with the Huntington fencing program, Mr. Kuver served a stint as the Blue Devil varsity girls’ track and field coach. He taught industrial arts and technology at Huntington High School and J. Taylor Finley Middle School and had an easy way of working with his students.
A resident of the Huntington School District, Mr. Kuver was often be seen around town, darting in and out of stores. A consummate professional, he helped guide many of his athletes into the college ranks, with several reaching the NCAA Division I fencing championships. He maintained relationships with a long list of Blue Devil alums, who he continued to mentor and encourage, years after they had graduated.
