Kurt Schaefer Scholarship Awarded to Caterin Andrade

Caterin Andrade is a kind and considerate young woman who has been striving to accomplish each of her goals, one by one. She has been studying in Wilson Tech’s medical assistant program, learning how to become a member of a health care team, including working in physician offices and clinics.

The Huntington High School Class of 2024 member is this year’s recipient of the Kurt Schaefer Memorial Scholarship Award, which was presented by Sean and Kim Schaeffer during this year’s senior academic awards ceremony. The Schaeffer scholarship includes a $1,200 stipend.

Ms. Andrade has served as executive officer with the high school’s United Amigos club. It helps students new to the US and the district have a successful experience in all aspects of their school and personal life.

Ms. Andrade plans to begin her studies at Suffolk Community College in Brentwood. Her career goal is to be an ultrasound technician. She is interested in eventually pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Long Island University, which boasts a strong sonography program.

“Each year, the Kurt Schaefer Memorial Scholarship is presented to a student who has shown academic and social growth as well as maturity and responsibility toward their classmates,” said Ms. Schaeffer at the senior awards ceremony. “Kurt was a friendly and kind-hearted kid. He was loved by many and missed by all. His spirit lives on through this scholarship.”

Kurt Schaefer Felled in Hit-and-Run

Kurt Schaefer had recently turned 17 years old and was preparing to enter his junior year at Huntington High School when he was struck by a car in a hit-and-run accident on Saturday, August 18, 1990 at 12:30 a.m. He died four days later at Huntington Hospital.

The teenager was riding a moped when he was struck at the intersection of Spring Road and Main Street in Huntington near Heckscher Park, according to a report published in Newsday. A Huntington man, who Suffolk Police said was driving a red Honda on his way home from a party in Huntington Bay, was later arrested.

Detectives said the Honda went over the double line, passed a pair of cars and went through the intersection on the wrong side of the road and through a red light, according to Newsday. The car struck Mr. Schaefer as he was crossing on Spring Street and it then fled the scene.

Mr. Schaefer enjoyed playing tennis, fishing, water skiing and snow skiing. He was known as a very friendly person and was called “a wonderful kid” by Peter Schaefer, his father.

As Mr. Schaefer lay critically injured in Huntington Hospital following the accident, countless friends tried to visit his bedside. “The Rock” at Huntington High School was quickly painted and inscribed with the words: “We Love You Kurt. Get Well Kurt.”

Visiting was held at M.A. Connell Funeral Home on Friday and Saturday, August 24-25, 1990. Interment was at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Huntington.

While Mr. Schaefer was taken from his family and friends at much too young of an age, the scholarship presented annually by his family has been helping Huntington graduates start college on a strong footing since the time it was established.