Huntington HS Student Wins 2021 Kurt Schaefer Scholarship

HUNTINGTON, NY — Yolani Cabrera, who attends Huntington High School, was named the winner of the 2021 Kurt Schaefer Memorial Scholarship, the school district shared on Facebook.

"Reading a success story is always an inspiring experience and few can match Yolani Cabrera’s," the district wrote. "She began kindergarten not knowing a word of English, but since then the Huntington High School senior has worked incredibly hard and compiled an impressive record along the way."

Cabrera launched a credit-bearing internship this year with high school teacher Eileen Gonzalez and an English as a new language class. She partook in a second internship with Friends of the Huntington Station Latin Quarter and its founder, Xavier Palacios.

Cabrera is headed to City University of New York – John Jay College of Criminal Justice on West 59th Street in New York City.

She was presented with the 2021 Kurt Schaefer Memorial Scholarship Award by Sean and Kim Schaeffer during this year’s senior scholarships and awards night. The Schaeffer scholarship includes a $1,200 stipend.

"Each year, the Kurt Schaefer Memorial Scholarship is presented to a student who has shown academic and social growth as well as maturity and responsibility toward their classmates," Kim Schaeffer said at the senior awards ceremony. "Kurt was a friendly and kind-hearted kid. He was loved by many and missed by all. His spirit lives on through this scholarship."

Cabrera has been a member of the high school’s New World Club, working alongside González.

"We work to have an intern in each ENL class to help students do their assignments, giving them a hint at how to do something if they have difficulties and making friendships with them," González said. "It helps them to adapt to school and the school environment."

Cabrera said her "overall school career" has been focused on helping "anyone who is in need."

"I was once a student who didn’t know English," she said. "Now it’s my turn to help, encourage and last, but not least, do my best with all."