Nicholas Haupt is an impressive young man who took Huntington High School’s Key Club to new heights this past year as its president. The Kiwanis Club of Huntington was so captivated by Class of 2019 member that the organization presented him with its coveted Quentin Sammis Memorial Award in recognition of his work and his potential make the world a better place.
The Quentin Sammis Memorial Award is given to individuals who show “great passion” for service to their school and community, according to Kiwanis Club Treasurer John Reilly, who presented a scholarship to Mr. Haupt during Huntington High School’s senior academic awards ceremony.
The teenager was presented with a special certificate by Mr. Reilly along with a check for $1,000, which represents the stipend that comes with the Quentin Sammis Memorial Award.
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers, dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time. The local chapter believes that Mr. Haupt has the ability and determination to achieve great things for society and change the world for the better as he moves on to college and an eventual career in mechanical engineering or physics.
The Kiwanis Club considers the sponsorship of its service leadership programs, such as the Key Club to be among the most important projects it undertakes. The Key Club seeks to develop leadership, build character and provide service to the school and community.
Honored this past spring as a Distinguished Senior, Mr. Haupt considered Fordham University and New York University before committing to Stony Brook University, where he plans to double major in physics and economics.
The teenager said one of the keys to his success has been short study periods throughout the day, rather than cramming at the last minute. His high school course studies included a full range of Advanced Placement courses.
Inducted into several academic honor societies, Mr. Haupt displayed musical talent, too, leading him to perform with the high school band’s jazz ensemble.
The Huntington Class of 2019 member intends to joins Stony Brook’s chess club, which is sure to present him with more than a few challenges.
Quentin Byron Sammis
Born May 16, 1924, Quentin Byron Sammis was a member of Huntington’s Class of 1942. He went on to serve his country as an ensign in the United States Navy, earn an electrical engineering degree at Georgia School of Technology (he began his college studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) and an MBA at Harvard Business School, serve as owner and president of Coldwell Banker Sammis real estate and Sammis, Smith & Brush insurance and lead Friends World College as its president.
Mr. Sammis founded the Townwide Fund of Huntington and the Huntington Arts Council and at one time or another was integrally involved in the YMCA, Huntington Hospital, the Visiting Nurse Service and the Family Service League. The Huntington High School graduate served in the US Navy during World War II and in the U.S. Navy Reserve for two decades.
Mr. Sammis, whose family has lived in Huntington village for generations dating to the Revolutionary War, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones on August 29, 2007 after battling cancer for 13 months. He was 83.
