Enzo Pupillo Captures Peter Steen Memorial Scholarship

Enzo Pupillo is this year’s recipient of the Peter Steen Memorial Scholarship Award. The Huntington High School Class of 2023 member plans to attend Binghamton University and study business in the fall.

The Blue Devil two-sport varsity star was formally presented with a handsome plaque and $1,000 stipend at the 55th annual Blue Devil senior athletic awards ceremony in the high school auditorium. Mr. Steen’s family was on hand to make the formal presentation to Mr.Pupillo before a crowd numbering in the hundreds.

“A member of Huntington’s 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,” master of ceremonies Michael Schwendemann said. “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 earned an undergraduate degree at Stony Brook University and a law degree at Georgetown University and worked as a stockbroker, financial planner and inventor.”

Mr. Steen was seriously injured while playing in a summer lacrosse game in the community. “He never lost his zest for life or surrendered his hope of walking again,” Mr. Schwendemann said. “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.”

Mr. Pupillo is an outstanding student and athlete who starred on the Blue Devil varsity soccer and wrestling teams. An outstanding teammate and leader, he was integral to the teams in both sports and highly regarded by his coaches.

“The level of commitment and perseverance that Enzo has demonstrated are personal qualities that will serve him well as he continues on his path,” said Michael Marinello, athletic department coordinator and varsity assistant wrestling coach. “He has very strong character traits. Enzo is a personable, mature and a responsible young man. As a senior, he broke his wrist and was unable to finish his soccer season. As disappointed as he was, Enzo enjoyed a terrific wrestling season, winning several tournaments. In the league tournament semi-final, Enzo broke his hand in the opening minutes of the match. In a great deal of pain, Enzo continued to wrestle and took no further injury time. His season once again ended with Enzo in a cast. Even with his senior season over, he continued to support his teammates at the county and state tournaments, as we knew he would.”

Surrounded by family members, Mr. Steen’s sister, Katrina spoke during the ceremony and made the scholarship award announcement. Mr. Pupillo beamed during the presentation and said he was “honored” to be chosen as this year’s award recipient.