Huntington Seniors Garner $16K in Pettit Scholarships

T. Christopher Pettit’s name will forever be etched into granite as one of Huntington High School’s most spectacular scholars, leaders and athletes.

A member of the Class of 1963, Mr. Pettit captained three varsity Blue Devil teams and went on to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he was a two-time All-American lacrosse player and the team’s captain and leading scorer.

Born in Huntington Hospital on February 18, 1945, Mr. Pettit enjoyed a remarkable career at Huntington High School, serving as captain of the football, basketball and lacrosse teams and being elected G.O. president by the student body. He addressed classmates as the “honor speaker” at the 102nd annual commencement on June 25, 1963 at 8:15 p.m. in the school auditorium.

“Things do not happen in this world; they are brought about by people who are concerned and who become involved,” Mr. Pettit said during his commencement address. “I know that we can have the courage to affirm life by our involvement in living.”

Accepted into Harvard, Mr. Pettit chose West Point instead and following his graduation, he became a battery commander on a missile base in what was then West Germany. He also served in combat as an Army Ranger in the Vietnam War, earning two Bronze Stars and moving up the ranks to captain.

Following his military career, the Huntington alum taught math for two years and coached football and then was in business for four years before joining Lehman Brothers in 1977. He quickly climbed through the commercial paper and bond divisions. Mr. Pettit was named a partner in 1982 and eventually became the legendary Wall Street firm’s president and chief operating officer. He left the company on November 26, 1996.

Mr. Pettit was killed while snowmobiling at night on a frozen lake near his vacation home in Windham, Maine on February 15, 1997. He reportedly hit a stump and his helmet dislodged as he was thrown from the fast moving vehicle. He sustained a massive head injury and passed away while being rushed to a nearby hospital. The Huntington grad was 51 years old. He is interred in St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale.

In the weeks and months that followed the tragedy, Mr. Pettit’s family created an annual scholarship that currently provides a four-year award worth a total of $8,000 ($2,000 per year) as well as a four one-time annual awards of $2,000 each.

Mr. Pettit’s daughter, Lara Pettit-Breingan was on hand for this year’s scholarship ceremony, which was held in the Huntington High School auditorium. Her voice cracked several times with emotion as she spoke.

“He had a genuine concern for the welfare and betterment of young people, which was evident throughout his life,” said Mrs. Pettit-Breingan speaking about her father. “His personal involvement and generous support positively influenced many Huntington student-athletes and sports programs. To my father, sports were a constructive and rewarding way to encourage teamwork, concentration, leadership and self-confidence. He believed the attribute of one’s ‘effort’ was vital in promoting a successful career and individual achievement.”

Class of 2023 valedictorian and Blue Devil sports stars Laurel Bonn garnered the top Pettit award of $2,000 per year in each of four years for a total of $8,000. Ms. Bonn is headed to the University of Georgia to study biology in preparation for a career as a dentist.

Vito Aloe (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University), Anthony Annunziata (Yale University), Megan Donaghy (University of Connecticut) and Gianna Forte (Stony Brook University) each received a one-time $2,000 scholarship award.

In addition to being a leading figure in the world of international finance, Mr. Pettit found time to coach youth lacrosse, soccer and basketball. He was one of the founders of the Cold Spring Harbor-Huntington Youth Lacrosse Club. The former Blue Devil star and Army great was inducted into the Long Island Metro Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1994.

“My father fostered excellence and good sportsmanship as a co-founder of a club lacrosse organization and as a coach of both lacrosse and soccer,” Mrs. Pettit-Breingan said. “He was also an avid sideline fan that my former teammates and friends will never forget. He knew everyone’s name and made sure everyone else did, too, as he cheered us on.”

Mr. Pettit was also a key contributor to cancer research. He was among those who helped organize the Dorothy Rodbell Cohen Foundation for Sarcoma Research, which has provided millions of dollars in grants over the years.

“This scholarship commemorates his legacy while supporting worthy Huntington High School athletes who have distinguished themselves by virtue of their achievement, exceptional leadership skills and promising potential to succeed,” Mrs. Pettit-Breingan said. “I would like to state that our committee as a whole was immensely impressed by all the students that applied this year. We truly enjoyed hearing about the commitment and passion the applicants had for Huntington High School.”

Huntington seniors cherish the Pettit scholarship, which honors a man who will always be remembered for excellence at the high school.