Class of 2020 members Matthew Basil and Anna Wickey have captured twin scholarships presented in memory of one of the most determined Huntington High School graduates ever.
Mr. Basil garnered the Peter Steen Class of 1979 Memorial Prize while Ms. Wickey claimed the Peter Steen Memorial Scholarship. Each of the awards carries with it a $1,000 stipend.
Peter Steen graduated with Huntington's Class of 1979.
The two recipients have both navigated over and around various obstacles and challenges and emerged successful. Both are highly regarded and both have brought nothing but honor to Huntington High School.
Mr. Basil is headed to the University of Florida. He has been very involved with Huntington’s Key Club and Habitat for Humanity chapters, spending countless hours volunteering with both organizations. He traveled to New Orleans with Habitat for Humanity, giving up a week of vacation to help build housing for those desperately in need. A superb student, he credits his success to developing good study habits along with hard work, determination and strong time management skills.
Ms. Wickey has been recruited to play on Temple University’s NCAA Division I field hockey team. She overcame injuries to star on Huntington’s softball and field hockey teams and compiled an outstanding academic record. She attributes her success to hard work and dedication. The teenager has performed an inspiring amount of community service and earned many admirers among her classmates and teachers.
A member of the Class of 1979, Mr. Steen suffered a devastating spinal cord injury during the summer preceding his junior year and was confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
Despite missing an extended period of school time as he underwent intensive rehabilitation, Mr. Steen was still able to graduate on time. Voted Huntington High School’s Homecoming Day king in 1978, he later obtained an undergraduate degree at Stony Brook University and worked as a stockbroker, financial planner and inventor. He never lost his zest for life or surrendered his hope of walking again.
Mr. Steen was seriously injured while playing in a summer lacrosse game in the community. As a Huntington sophomore, he had been the junior varsity football team’s leading rusher and the JV lacrosse team’s top scorer.
When Mr. Steen passed away on December 9, 2016 he was mourned by his family and loyal friends and classmates. He will always be admired for his perseverance and positive outlook on life. He will never be forgotten at his alma mater.
Peter Steen Memorial Scholarship Recipients
2020 Anna Wickey
2019 Alyssa Sorenesen
2018 Nicole Leslie
2017 Elizabeth Berejka
Peter Steen Class of 1979 Memorial Prize Recipients
2020 Matthew Basil
2019 No Award
2018 Arkim Pierre
