Congratulations to Walt Whitman’s Otto Kahn Scholarship Award winner and Ellen Schaffer Civic Leadership Memorial Scholarship recipients for 2025! The winners were presented with their awards on Wednesday, June 11th at the annual Friends of Oheka Garden Party at Oheka Castle. The awards are presented to talented public high school seniors in the Town of Huntington who are pursuing a college education in the arts. 

Of the seven students who won the Otto Kahn Scholarship this year, Walt Whitman senior Aaron Cimadevilla was awarded for his talents as a double bass player who plans to pursue music in college. In loving memory of Friends of Oheka President Ellen Schaffer, two of Walt Whitman’s seniors were the recipients of the two Ellen Schaffer Civic Leader Memorial Scholarships - first place winner Kate Adams and second place winner Julia Dean. The students were each presented with checks and had the opportunity to showcase their talent with musical performances.

The Walt Whitman High School Chamber Orchestra, directed by Mr. Yolango, started things off with several musical selections before the awards. Whitman’s winners were announced, and then performed several numbers with the orchestra, as well as the Walt Whitman High School Jazz Band under the direction of Mr. Modelewski to close out the evening. 

Aaron Cimadevilla is a 2025 graduate of Walt Whitman High School and will be attending the Mannes School of Music at the New School in the fall. At WWHS Aaron studied music theory, played double bass in the Jazz Band and Chamber Orchestra and was a member of the Xanadu Literary magazine. In addition he attended the Juilliard pre­-college program and played the bass with the Hofstra Symphonic Orchestra. "Aaron possesses an exceptional musical aptitude and passion when it comes to playing music. He consistently demon­strates an innate understanding of music theory and technique, which is reflective in his performances and compositions,” shared high school music teacher, Greg Modelewski.

Kate Adams is a senior at Walt Whitman High School planning to attend North Carolina State University to study animal science on a pre-veterinary track. Using ingenuity and initiative, qualities that marked Ellen Schaffer's civic leadership legacy, Kate co-created Camp Boredom Busters during the COVID-19 pandemic for children in kindergarten through fourth grade. This was a free virtual summer camp providing campers with a fun and safe way to connect and be creative. In the true spirit of giving back during those dark days, Kate was motivated to innovate this camp because of her own cherished summer camp memories – experiences she knew young children during the pan­demic lockdown would not get to enjoy. More recently, Kate launched a community education project around the invasive spotted lanternfly. This involved Kate's designing a simple, low ­cost trap made from household materials. She then offered herself in service to teach others how to make the traps. Both of these projects taught Kate how to lead, communicate and follow through. Kate's enterprising and community-minded spirit is truly exemplary and reflective of Ellen's leadership qualities.

Julia Dean is a senior at Walt Whitman High School headed to the University of Michigan to study kinesiology on a pre-med track. Ellen Schaffer used to say that the story of saving Oheka should give hope to all those looking to save "that big old house down the road." Julia's work at Old Bethpage Village Restoration (OBVR) county park as a volunteer historical interpreter has put her front and center in helping, in her own way, to save multiple old houses. Through her work at OBVR, Julia learned the history behind every house in the park and in doing so developed a deep appreciation for their importance and of the need for their preservation for this and future generations to learn from and enjoy. In addition, Julia has over 75 hours of service through Girl Scouts of Suffolk County, and from being a volunteer counselor for her school's science and gymnastic camps. Julia's dedication to history and to the importance of ensuring that the past is never forgotten would indeed make Ellen Schaffer proud. 

Friends of Oheka, in partnership with the castle’s current owner Gary Melius, began the Otto Kahn Award program in 2003. Late last year, Friends of Oheka President Ellen Schaffer passed away, so this year’s event deeply honored her civic work and dedication in preserving the legacy of Oheka Castle. This annual event has always been a way to honor and remember the legacy of the castle’s original owner Otto Kahn, who supported the arts throughout his lifetime, and this year, it was evermore important to honor the legacy of Ellen Schaffer as well. This year brings the total of scholarships awarded to over $300,000 for Town of Huntington musicians, performers and artists. 

Thank you to everyone involved with the Garden Party for making this a memorable night for our students!

See more photos here.

Whitman’s Chamber Orchestra has the pleasure of performing at the annual event under the direction of Mr. Frank Yolango.

Walt Whitman’s Jazz Band explored the garden at Oheka Castle before performing for guests.

Walt Whitman senior Aaron Cimadevilla was awarded the Otto Kahn Scholarship worth $3,000 to help continue his studies in music performance.

Aaron displayed his talents on the double bass.

Kate Adams (left) and Julia Dean (right) were awarded first and second place, respectively, with the 2025 Ellen Schaffer Civic Leadership Memorial Scholarship.