Nicole Leslie doesn’t let any obstacle stop her from accomplishing what she sets out to do. The Huntington High School senior always finds a way persevere and reach her goals. The teenager has never been afraid of hard work and she’s reaping the benefits of all those long hours studying and training.
SUNY Brockport recruited Ms. Leslie to play on its basketball team next year. She led the Blue Devil hardcourt squad last winter in rebounds while serving as a team captain. A great season culminated in All-League honors.
While Ms. Leslie isn’t sure what she wants to study in college or which career field she is destined for, she does maintain a healthy interest in science and wouldn’t be surprised if her future encompasses some aspect of it.
In recognition of her inspiring achievements and future potential, Ms. Leslie was presented with the 2018 Kurt Schaefer Memorial Scholarship Award by Sean and Kim Schaeffer during this year’s senior academic awards night. The Schaeffer scholarship includes a $1,200 stipend.
Kurt Schaefer Felled in Hit-and-Run
Kurt Schaefer had recently turned 17 years old and was preparing to enter his junior year at Huntington High School when he was struck by a car in a hit-and-run accident on Saturday, August 18, 1990 at 12:30 a.m. He died four days later at Huntington Hospital.
The teenager was riding a moped when he was struck at the intersection of Spring Road and Main Street in Huntington near Heckscher Park, according to a report published in Newsday. A Huntington man, who Suffolk Police said was driving a red Honda on his way home from a party in Huntington Bay, was later arrested.
Detectives said the Honda went over the double line, passed a pair of cars and went through the intersection on the wrong side of the road and through a red light, according to Newsday. The car struck Mr. Schaefer as he was crossing on Spring Street and it then fled the scene.
Mr. Schaefer enjoyed playing tennis, fishing, water skiing and snow skiing. He was known as a very friendly person and was called “a wonderful kid” by Peter Schaefer, his father.
As Mr. Schaefer lay critically injured in Huntington Hospital following the accident, countless friends tried to visit his bedside. “The Rock” at Huntington High School was quickly painted and inscribed with the words: “We Love You Kurt. Get Well Kurt.”
Visiting was held at M.A. Connell Funeral Home on Friday and Saturday, August 24-25, 1990. Interment was at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Huntington.
While Mr. Schaefer was taken from his family and friends at much too young of an age, the scholarship presented annually by his family has been helping Huntington graduates start college on a strong footing since the time it was established.
