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5 college scholarships open in Huntington Town

BY DEBORAH S. MORRIS | deborah.morris@newsday.com

1:30 PM EDT, May 23, 2008

Free money for college. But only if you apply for the new Donald A. Pius Scholarship by the Saturday, June 7 deadline.

The scholarship, administered by the Huntington Youth Bureau Youth Development Research Institute, is open to Town of Huntington high school seniors who plan to attend college or trade/vocational school beginning this fall.

"The town is very happy to be a part of this," said Jillian Guthman-Abadom, director of human services for the town. "All of our elected officials want to have the ability to impact the lives of people in the community and this serves as a great opportunity to help families fill in the gap between students going to school and not going."

Guthman-Abadom said Donald Pius, a local businessman, sold a piece of property to the Huntington Community Development Agency in 2006, at below market price, to be used for apartment rental properties and the Huntington Station Enrichment Center.

A scholarship program in Pius' name was part of the deal. The scholarships are funded by rents collected on the property.

High school guidance counselors at all of Huntington's eight school districts and St. Anthony's High School, have been forwarded the scholarship application materials for interested students.

The applicant must be nominated for the scholarship by a high school principal or guidance counselor.

The student must plan to attend college or a vocational/trade school in the forthcoming academic year, demonstrate financial need, academic performance, good character and community activities and/or show a commitment to his or her family beyond the standard realm.

"It's not just a traditional A plus student that we are looking for," Guthman-Abadom said, "we're looking at all facets and recognizing the value of success and strength in all areas that show the potential that is within each us."

This year, the seven-member scholarship committee, which is made up of town employees and residents, is planning to award a total of five, $2,000 scholarships.

Applications must be postmarked by Saturday, June 7.

"We want to impact as many lives as we can," Guthman-Abadom said, "and we want to do it going forward as well. It's a work in progress."

Students may either contact their high school guidance counselors or the Huntington Youth Bureau to receive the scholarship application package. All other inquiries and/or mail in connection with the scholarship fund should be directed as follows: Huntington Youth Bureau Institute, 423 Park Ave., Huntington, NY 11743 Attn: Maria Georgiou - re: DAP Scholarship Telephone: (631) 351-3061. Fax: (631) 271-1360 E-mail: mgeorgiou@town.huntington.ny.us