When Huntington School District teachers and administrators heard that retired Assistant Superintendent Steven Tribus had passed away suddenly on January 28, 2013, the spirits of his former colleagues who he closely collaborated with sank.
A consummate professional and proud educator, Mr. Tribus enjoyed his time in the Huntington School District, enthusiastically interacting with teachers, students and parents and making significant contributions toward new initiatives designed to enhance the quality of classroom instruction.
Steven Tribus with Huntington's 1997 valedictorian, Susan Fiore.
Mr. Tribus was only 69 years old at the time of his passing. His family took little time in creating a scholarship in his honor and designated the award for a graduating Huntington senior planning to pursue a career as a teacher.
Vassar College bound Julia Segal, one of the most outstanding members of Huntington’s Class of 2020 is this year’s recipient of the Steve Tribus Memorial Scholarship Award, which carries a $1,000 stipend. She plans to study psychology.
“I was incredibly honored to receive the Tribus scholarship,” Ms. Segal said. “I have loved the English courses I have taken throughout my education at Huntington and receiving an award tied in with this was such a privilege. I would never have been able to excel in these courses over the years if it weren’t for my amazing English teachers, so I definitely owe this to them.”
An Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction, Ms. Segal said that surrounding herself with supportive people and choosing courses that challenge and interest her have been the keys to her success. She helped minimize stress by enjoying art classes and singing in the school choir. President of the Spanish Honor Society, a yearbook club contributor and officer with the choir, the teenager has assumed leadership roles and thrived along the way. She’s a member of eight different academic honor societies.
“Huntington High School has provided me with so many amazing experiences and friendships,” Ms. Segal said. “I have loved all of the extracurriculars I have participated in and the people I have met. Huntington has truly paved an amazing path to success for me and I am excited to continue my education at Vassar!”
Steve Tribus was a longtime educator
Steven Tribus earned a BA in history at Hofstra University and a master’s degree in administration and supervision at St. John’s University. He came to Huntington in January 1995 and retired June 30, 2000. The final months of his career in the district were spent serving as interim superintendent, following the departure of Kevin Colpoys.
At the time of his passing, Mr. Tribus was residing with his wife, Marilyn in Henderson, Nevada, near Las Vegas. A member of Far Rockaway High School’s Class of 1961, he participated in the school’s 119th commencement exercises on Thursday, June 29, 1961. He received the Henry Koslan Memorial Medal for excellence in health education.
Steven Charles Tribus began his career in 1965 as an English teacher at Canarsie High School in Brooklyn. In 1973 he moved to Grover Cleveland High School in Queens, where he worked as an assistant principal and English department faculty member.
In 1982, Mr. Tribus was promoted to director of English, K-12 for the New York City public schools, a post he served in until 1991 when he was named director of curriculum and program development for New York City.
A talented high school pitcher at Far Rockway and a baseball fan his entire life, Mr. Tribus was given tryouts by the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies organizations. The retired educator also enjoyed playing golf and was a wine enthusiast. Traveling was another favorite pastime, as Mr. Tribus and his wife of 45 years traveled throughout the world, thoroughly enjoying the experience of learning about new cultures.
A funeral service was held for Mr. Tribus on January 31, 2013 at King David Chapel in Las Vegas with interment immediately following. In addition to his wife, he was survived by sons Craig (Melissa) Tribus of Henderson, NV and Evan (Alison) Tribus of Montclair NJ; and grandchildren Jaelyn and Jordyn Tribus of Henderson.
A nurturing educator who was known for encouraging young people to pursue their dreams, there is little doubt that Mr. Tribus would have been quite pleased to meet with Ms. Segal and hear all about her goals and career interests.
Steve Tribus Memorial Scholarship Recipients
2014 Anna Garfinkel – Skidmore College
2015 Katie Duval – Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
2016 Jeannie Morgenstern – New York University
2017 Kathryn Dara – University at Albany
2018 Joel Alfaro – Colgate University
2019 Ilsi Martinez Euceda – Suffolk Community College
2020 Julia Segal – Vassar College