Katherine Estrada-Morales Claims Provenzano Scholarship

Huntington Class of 2024 member Katherine Estrada-Morales has captured the Carmela Santorsola Provenzano scholarship, which carries a stipend of $1,000.

The scholarship is presented in honor and memory of a woman who because of the expectations and constraints of the era in which she was raised didn’t have an opportunity to attend college.

The Carmela Santorsola Provenzano scholarship was endowed by her children and grandchildren in honor of her 90th birthday. Her dream was to become a teacher, but due to economic circumstances her education ceased following the eighth grade. “Her love for education was passed on to her children, one of whom worked as a counselor in Huntington UFSD for many years,” said guidance counselor Evelyn Hernandez, who announced this year’s scholarship recipient.

A four-year president of the Class of 2024, Ms. Estrada-Morales plans to study computer science at Farmingdale State College. The teenager said she owes her success to holding herself accountable and mastering time management. She believes these same skills will serve her well moving forward.

Inducted into multiple academic honor societies and recognized as a Distinguished Senior, Ms. Estrada-Morales said that she’s especially appreciative of being about to grow both as a student and personally over the past four years. She has enjoyed making friends “that feel like family,” endless opportunities to find her “true self” and supportive teachers.

A two-year section leader for the Blue Devil marching band, Ms. Estrada-Morales somehow found the time to raise $460 and use it to create baskets filled with grocery items before donating everything to those in need in Guatemala.