Gevonne Henderson & Amani Huq Capture Tri-CYA Martone Awards

Huntington High School Class of 2026 members Gevonne Henderson and Amani Huq are this year’s recipients of the Tri-Community & Youth Agency’s Joseph Martone Memorial Scholarship award, which carries a $500 stipend.

Mr. Martone had a long association with Tri-CYA, serving on its board of directors as president, vice president, treasurer and fundraising committee chairman at one time or another for more than two decades until his death in 2004.

Mr. Henderson intends to pursue a college degree at Alfred State College in southwestern New York. Ms. Huq is headed to Cornell University to study neuroscience/cognitive science.

The Martone scholarship is annually awarded to a graduating senior who combines “the values and ideals that Joe stood for; hard work, commitment to school work, athletics, teamwork and an unselfish dedication to a community cause,” according to Tri-CYA.

Tri-CYA’s Ken Patrick Johnson and Jenny Martinez were both on hand at Huntington High School’s senior scholarships and awards ceremony to present the $500 Martone scholarship to Mr. Henderson and Ms. Huq.

“As a [Tri-CYA] board member and volunteer, Joseph Martone stood for hard work and commitment to education,” Mr. Johnson said. “He was a team player and had an unselfish dedication to community service.”

Mr. Martone helped develop Tri-CYA’s Hall of Honor, which honors distinguished community members who have volunteered to help local youth. He was willing to do everything from helping around Tri-CYA’s facility to delivering food, supplies and even diapers to families in need.

The scholarship award is funded by David S. Pottruck, one of Mr. Martone’s former students.