Sergeant Michael S. Curtin was appointed to the NYPD in January 1988 after serving 12 years  active duty in the United States Marine Corps. He was originally as­signed to the Emergency Services unit in 1991 but saw his police career interrupted when he was called to duty during Operation Desert Storm. Serving on the front lines, he held the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and retired from the Reserves as a Sergeant Major. After returning to the NYPD, he responded to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and was assigned to the Oklahoma City rescue efforts. 

Michael Curtin was promoted to Sergeant in 1995 and subsequently served as a security guard at Walt Whitman High School. On September 11, 2001, he was called into action and tragically perished during World Trade Center rescue efforts. The students recognized for this award are nominated by their teachers in his honor for demonstrating exemplary citizenship. 

Rather than emphasizing academics or athletics, these awards focus on character and compassion. “This award honors the students who embody the very best of the ideals that we have and what it means to be a citizen,” shared Walt Whitman High School principal and keynote speaker, Dr. John Murphy. “Those [students] that have elevated our school have made the difference, not through athletics or academics, but through compassion, through their voice, and through their unwavering desire to make a difference.” This annual awards ceremony highlights students who go above and beyond for others without asking for anything in return. They are what makes Whitman such a special place, and what makes South Huntington such a special community.

Congratulations to Walt Whitman’s 2024/2025 Michael S. Curtin Citizenship Award recipients: 

Paul Akapnitis, Daniel Alas Trujillo, Zahara Amorde, Edward Beck, Andrew Blair, Eva Blaney, Scarlett Bolanos, Brielle Browne, Sean Burke, Jeremy Canales Mejia, Matthew Cashman, Haley Chen, Ryan Cho, Aaron Cimadevilla, Kiara De La Cruz, Alayah Drones, Jana Elzarkawy, Tyler Francisco, Morgan Franz, Gianna Frazzitta, Matthew Gervasio, Zachary Gluckstal, Daniel Gross, Samantha Guttler, Cristhian Interiano Monge, Merline Jean Jacques, Demitra Katechis, Jennah Kinane, Trevor Kolar, Jack Kongevold, Neil La Bella, Leah La May, Riley LaRegina, Alexis Leonard, Marisol Lopez, Jasmine Grace Marsh, Addison McCready, Giuliana McGuigan, Lisandra Mejia, Andrea Moreira, Margaret Motherway, Aliza Nadeem, Dylan Naggar, Fernanda Najera, Alyn Osorto, Carter Phillips, Jaslene Ponce Luna, Cristela Portillo, Christopher Portillo Gomez, Andreas Psarris, Taihino Quinones, William Ramirez Brizuela, Ashley Ranieri, Sofia Reichhold, Caleb Rosene, Nicole Rouge, Jayson Sanchez Torres, Kyle Schombs, Stephanie Shef, Dayanna Sierra, Emily Simonetti, Katharine Sperduti, Michael Stanciel, Diego Torres, Emmanuel Torres, Joel Vazquez Cruz, Keisha Vilma, and Stevie Wilson

View and download pictures here.

Watch the recording of the ceremony here.

See the Michael S. Curtin Citizenship Awards presentation here. 

Senior Sameera Chaudhry spoke to her peers about what citizenship means and how their positive actions have a profound ripple effect.

Teachers and administrators who nominated this year’s award recipients were invited to join in the celebration of their students.

Walt Whitman High School Principal John Murphy expressed how meaningful it is for his students to receive this honor in Michael Curtin’s name. “The future needs leaders like you, people who are compassionate, driven, open minded individuals that are going to help their fellow man. Those who will carry the lessons and values from your time here,” Dr. Murphy shared. “Not only have you made an impact on us, I hope we've made an impact on you.”

Students and parents proudly take their picture with the citizenship award plaque, which will be displayed at the high school for years to come.