Blatt and Sullivan Win Oliva Scholarships
Billy Oliva will always be remembered by his classmates and friends at Huntington High School as an easygoing fellow who seemed to be on the run. Yet, he had enough time to earn a loyal following. It's that group that keeps the alum's memory alive all these years later at his alma mater.
Brielle Blatt and Michael Sullivan, two of the top members of the Class of 2012, were honored at this year's senior academic awards night as the recipients of the "Let It Begin with Me" – William F. Oliva Memorial Scholarship.
The award honors Mr. Oliva, a 1984 Huntington High School grad who perished in a tragic workplace accident. Each of the two exceptional teenagers received a $2,500 award that can be applied towards their college tuition.
Ms. Blatt and Mr. Sullivan "have shown a commitment to academic excellence, athletic skills and sportsmanship, serve as a source of encouragement to classmates, exhibit strong character and demonstrate a concern for the overall good of the community," said Chris Lauro, one of Mr. Olivia's classmates, who presented the scholarship awards to the two seniors.
The Oliva scholarship has quickly become a prized award at the school. "Billy was very well liked and was always kind to all around him," said Mr. Lauro, a fellow 1984 alum who was best friends with Mr. Oliva. "His untimely death was very much felt in our community. He did have a passion for sport and was a natural athlete. He played on the football and baseball teams. He loved basketball, hockey and golf, as well. He really liked them all but I think his best talent was in baseball."
Mr. Oliva was just 38 years old when he suffered the fatal accident in 2004. Scholarship officials hope that recipients will possess many of the same character traits Mr. Oliva was known for in his life: A commitment to the overall good of the community, dedication to academics, great athletic skills and sportsmanship and a source of encouragement to other classmates.
Ms. Blatt is headed to Tulane University in New Orleans. She has enjoyed a wonderful four year high school run, performing in drama club productions as the dance captain, playing field hockey, winning statewide honors in the National History Day competition, serving as a student leader in G.O. and many academic honor societies and working to make the Huntington community a better place through a variety of initiatives.
Mr. Sullivan is equally accomplishment. The teenager will attend the University at Albany in the fall to study business and possibly pursue a law degree. He been a varsity swimmer and volleyball player and built strong relationships with his teachers and coaches. He even volunteered as a student-coach with the J. Taylor Finley Middle School boys' volleyball team.
The annual round robin kickball tournament that funds the Oliva scholarship is open to anyone who attended elementary school in the Huntington School District. The games have drawn alumni from all the Huntington elementary schools, including some buildings that have since been closed such as Lincoln, Woodbury Avenue, Village Green, Nathan Hale and Roosevelt.
"All in all Billy loved all sports and games," Mr. Lauro said. "He just enjoyed it like no one else."
"Let it Begin with Me" – |
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| Year | Recipients |
| 2012 | Brielle Blatt and Michael Sullivan |
| 2011 | Meghan Rowland and Benjamin Jensen |
| 2010 | Alexandra Kimchy and Daniel Smith |