HFEE President Jennifer Stevens and School Board President Xavier Palacios flank Suzi Biagi.
HFEE President Jennifer Stevens and School Board President Xavier Palacios flank Suzi Biagi.

Huntington Foundation Celebrates Public Education

April 5, 2024

Honorees Suzi Biagi and Jonathon Dawson with HFEE President Jennifer Stevens.

Everyone loves a good party and the Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education threw one at the Harbor Club at Prime, raising tens of thousands of dollars to support its mission and grant programs in support of public education in Huntington UFSD.

A crowd of 220 turned out to fill the room for the Huntington Foundation’s annual Reach for the Stars gala and celebrate everything good in the Huntington School District. Longtime Huntington High School business teacher and extracurricular club advisor Suzi Biagi and Jonny D’s Pizza owner and community resident Jonathon Dawson were presented with HFEE’s coveted Spirit Awards for their notable contributions to the young people of the district.

The big turnout delighted Huntington Foundation President Jennifer Stevens and fellow executive board members Tara Poli (vice president of development/gala chair), Meghan Knieriem (chief financial officer), Jennifer Tullo-Skrobela (vice president; public relations/marketing officer), Liz Careccia (vice president of grants), Gina Leiter (secretary) and Kim O’Toole. Kim Eineman (graphic design), Kacey Knauer (marketing) and Liz Matthews (PTA liaison) round out the HFEE board.

Huntington Foundation volunteers include Kelly Donovan, Angela Ackerly, Janine Luca, Marian Manu, Jackie Colin, Jen Biancardo and Amanda Sturges.

Maggie O’Toole, Isabella Careccia-Johnson, Emily Kustera and Josie Sullivan comprise the HFEE Youth Board.

HFEE Spirit Award recipient Suzie Biagi with Vincenza Garofalo and Isabella Careccia-Johnson.

Supporters contributed tens of thousands of dollars in sponsorships for the affair. The sponsorships included: Star Sponsor ($5,000): Palacios Law Group; Honors Sponsors ($2,500): John Fulton & Family, RC Henderson Stairbuilders and Toresco & Simonelli, Attorneys at Law; Leadership Sponsors ($1,000): Bon Bons Chocolatiers, E. Beth Photography, Gellerman Orthodontics, SteinbergAnna Financial, Marc Szczurowski & Family, Southdown UPS Store, ShopRite-The Greenfield Family, Orlin & Cohen – Dr. James Paci & Family, Prime Properties, Main Street Nursery, Kevin and Meredith Shanley, Jennifer Stevens & Family; Friendship Sponsors ($500): Craft Kitchen & Tap House, Dave and Kelly Donovan, Gina Leiter & Family, Kimberley Steinberg Event Planner; Southdown Market, The Polinsky Family.

Huntington UFSD Superintendent Christian Bowen and Assistant Superintendents Beth McCoy, Christopher Hender and Dr. Rubie Harris were all on hand for the festivities along with numerous principals and department directors. Huntington School Board members were all out in full force.

Performers from the Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School/Woodhull Intermediate School drama club production of the musical The Little Mermaid Jr. entertained the big crowd with splendid singing and dancing.

A new short film highlighting the Huntington Foundation’s many initiatives was shown on multiple screens to much fanfare. Click on HFEE mission video to watch the film.