Kurt Schaefer Scholarship Awarded to Janelee Gomez-Hernandez

Janelee Gomez-Hernandez works very hard and she’s not afraid of a challenge. Recognized as a Distinguished Senior for her excellent academic achievement, she served as vice president of the Skills USA organization at Wilson Tech. The well-liked Class of 2025 member is this year’s recipient of the Kurt Schaefer Memorial Scholarship Award.

Ms. Gomez-Hernandez plans to study baking, pastry arts and business at Johnson & Wales University. She has competed in the state high school baking and pastry championships.

The Kurt Schaefer Memorial Scholarship Award is presented annually to a student who has shown academic and social growth as well as maturity and responsibility toward their classmates. Mr. Schaefer was a friendly and kind-hearted young man. He was loved by many and is missed by all. His spirit lives on through the $1,200 scholarship that bears his name.

“My key to success has been being hungry for success,” Ms. Gomez-Hernandez said. “I hope to achieve everything I’ve dreamed of, always keeping in mind that I’m not only fighting for myself, but for my family. What I’ve enjoyed most about high school are the meaningful connections I’ve made. I’ve been extremely blessed to have met my best friends through school. I’ve also had amazing teacher who not only helped me grow academically, but also supported me in many other ways.”

Sean Schaefer made this year’s scholarship presentation at Huntington High School’s senior scholarships and awards ceremony.

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 Spring Street and 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 his father, Peter Schaefer.

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 much too soon, the scholarship presented annually by his family has been helping Huntington graduates start college on a strong footing since the time it was established.