Jai-la’ Bush has captured this year’s Tri-Community & Youth Agency’s Joseph A. Martone scholarship. The Huntington High School Class of 2020 member plans to study politics, economics and the law at SUNY College at Old Westbury. Her career goal is to be an attorney.
Tri-CYA Director Debbie Rimler made the formal announcement of this year’s award recipient during Huntington High School’s senior academic awards ceremony, which was held in a virtual format due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms. Bush has been a Tri-CYA regular, assisting in the homework help program, participating in the girl’s group, going on trips sponsored by the organization and helping young people work through personal issues.
“I think it’s a great place for people to go to when they need help with homework,” Ms. Bush said. “There’s great people there that can lean on.”
A physical education teacher and athletic coach by profession, Mr. Martone had a long association with Tri-CYA, serving on its board of directors as its original president and later as its vice president, treasurer and fundraising committee chairman for more than two decades until his death in 2004.
The $500 Martone scholarship is annually awarded to a graduating senior who combines “the values and ideals that Joe stood for; hard work, commitment to school work, athletics, teamwork and an unselfish dedication to a community cause,” according to Tri-CYA.
Mr. Martone helped develop Tri-CYA’s Hall of Honor, which honors distinguished community members who have volunteered to help local youth. He was willing to do everything from helping around Tri-CYA’s facility to delivering food, supplies and even diapers to families in need. The scholarship award is funded by David S. Pottruck, one of Mr. Martone’s former students.