Cat Jamison and Chris Weber are exceptional young people who have compiled sterling academic records and garnered awards in their respective sports. The dynamic seniors have set a standard of excellence that is sure to stand the test of time at Huntington High School. The pair are this year’s recipients of the Kleet Lumber Scholar Athlete Awards.
Ms. Jamison has been recruited to play volleyball at Bucknell University while SUNY Geneseo has recruited Mr. Weber to compete on its swimming team.
Howard and Warren Kleet have always given back to their community. The brothers own Kleet Lumber on Park Avenue in Huntington. No one cares more about the young people who live here so the Kleet brothers funded a pair of $500 scholarships and earmarked them for exceptional students who combine academic and athletic excellence with leadership and community service and all the other essential qualities needed to be regarded as a good classmate and teammate.
The Kleet brothers grew up in Huntington and the pair has retained their admiration and respect for the area’s youth. The two scholarships they have funded since 2016 demonstrate their desire to recognize and reward all-around excellence.
President of Huntington High School’s National Honor Society chapter and co-president of the Natural Helpers club, Ms. Jamison is also the vice president of finance for the English Honor Society and a member of both the Math Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society.
One of the top high school volleyball players in the country, Ms. Jamison was recruited by more than 50 colleges. “However, I felt the Patriot League was the best fit for me athletically as well as academically,” she said. “Bucknell is a smaller school, unlike most Division I programs and it has a huge sense of pride.”
Ms. Jamison plays viola in the high school orchestra and sings in the chorus. She also assumed a key role with Huntington’s robotics team. She will graduate near the top of the Class of 2020.
“I am very grateful that I was chosen for this scholarship award and I appreciate Kleet Lumber’s generosity towards the Huntington athletic program and to me personally,” Ms. Jamison said.
A mainstay of the Blue Devil swimming program, Mr. Weber has been an incredible competitor and leader for many years. He has devoted long hours to training and the teenager has steadily reduced his times in every event.
“I am humbled and honored to receive this award,” Mr. Weber said. “I really enjoy serving and helping the community as a Jones Beach lifeguard and Halesite volunteer firefighter. It has taken a lot of hard work and dedication to get to where I am at as a swimmer and student and I’m happy with the person I’ve become. Although on my club swim team the sport is majority individual, I loved and really valued being part of our high school team, especially my leadership role as captain. Swimming for the Blue Devils the past six years has definitely been one of my top Huntington High School highlights. I wouldn’t want to trade it for the world.”
Mr. Weber isn’t sure what he wants to study at SUNY Geneseo, but he is interested in business and possibly education. “I choose SUNY Geneseo because I immediately felt at home and the team is a great group, some of whom I already know from home and from working with as a Jones Beach lifeguard,” he said. “Geneseo offers a perfect balance between academics and athletics along with the feeling of being at home.”
