Blue Devil Greats Win Town Scholar Athlete Awards

Huntington Town Board members honored Huntington High School seniors Banny Soc Concua and Jolie Weinschreider for their outstanding scholarship, community service and athletic achievements during a ceremony at Town Hall.

The Town Board presents its coveted Scholar Athlete Award to one male and one female member of the graduating class of each Town of Huntington high school.

Town Councilwoman Jennifer Hebert spoke eloquently about Mr. Soc Concua and Ms. Weinschreider, describing their attributes in glowing terms for the crowd, which included principals, athletic directors, superintendents and family members.

Huntington Superintendent Beth M. McCoy and high school Principal Rochelle C. Brown were both on hand for the festivities, offering the two Blue Devil seniors their heartfelt congratulations and later posing with the pair for a series of commemorative photos.

Banny Soc Concua

The key to Mr. Soc Concua’s success has been his parents, who didn’t have the opportunity to attend college. The teenager said: Every time I thought of giving up or quitting, I thought of them and how they would’ve jumped at the chance to go to college. I've enjoyed a lot of things in Huntington, my teachers, my coaches, and my friends. My teachers pushed me to my potential and without them I never would've figured out my major.”

Mr. Soc Concua is especially grateful to Huntington business teachers Suzi Biagi and Bryan Outsen for their assistance in guiding him. He intends to pursue an academic major in finance at the University of Delaware.

Recognized as a Distinguished Senior at Huntington High School and an Advanced Placement Scholar Award recipient, Mr. Soc Concua has been a strong student and a great role model for all his teammates.

Mr. Soc Concua captained Huntington’s football and indoor and outdoor track and field teams, winning All-Division honors in football and All-County in track. “My coaches taught me how to be a better version of myself and to me they are one of the reasons I get to receive this honor,” he said. The senior has developed an especially close relationship with high school coach Ron Wilson.

Mr. Soc Concua’s excellent line play contributed to Huntington’s finest football season in more than a decade. But he has never comprised his academic standards.

Jolie Weinschreider

The key to Ms. Weinschreider’s success has been staying organized and consistently managing her responsibilities. She said: “I am dedicated to completing my work to the best of my ability, and I have also benefited from the guidance and support of my teachers. I have really enjoyed being a member of the soccer, basketball, and lacrosse teams with my best friends. I have also valued being in classes with friends while studying curriculum that genuinely interests me.”

A News 12 Scholar Athlete Award recipient and president of Huntington High School’s Italian Honor Society chapter as well as being a member four other academic honor societies, Ms. Weinschreider is a multi-time award winner in the National History Day initiative and a 12-time New York State Public High School Athletic Association Scholar Athlete Award recipient.

Ms. Weinschreider has captain Huntington’s teams in all three sports and won post-season awards in every sport. This spring, she helped lead Huntington repeat as the Suffolk and Long Island girls’ lacrosse champions.

The teenager puts a premium on maintaining excellent fitness and overall health. She said: “Physical education has really helped me focus on a commitment to a healthy lifestyle. It has provided me with ways that I can fuel my body, be more disciplined and have a positive mindset going into every activity.”

Ms. Weinschreider intends to pursue an academic major in psychology at Rutgers University.