Congratulations to the 2026 recipients of the Michael S. Curtin Citizenship Award. In a moving ceremony at the Performing Arts Center at Walt Whitman High School during the May 19th school board meeting, 75 graduating seniors were recognized not just for academics, but also for their kindness, courage, integrity, and outstanding service to their community. The honorees were nominated by administrators, faculty, and staff at Walt Whitman High School ”who have been impacted and/or influenced by the students' actions, whether small or large.”

The award was established 24 years ago by the district to honor the legacy of NYPD Sergeant Michael Curtin, a man who dedicated his life to service and was a beloved member of the South Huntington family as a Walt Whitman security guard. On September 11, 2001, as part of the NYPD Emergency Service Unit, he responded to the attack on the World Trade Center and was killed when the towers collapsed. Curtin also served 12 years of active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps.

With the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaching this September, school administrators wanted to make this year’s ceremony especially poignant. To help the community better reflect on Michael Curtin's life, his service, and the ideals he stood for, the school was truly honored to welcome Captain Kenan Akaydin and three other members of the New York Police Department Emergency Service Unit. Captain Akaydin called Curtin an “anchor in the chaos” of 9/11 and “a compass to those who were lost.”

“Sergeant Curtin proved that leadership is much more than a rank you achieve,” he continued. “It's a choice you make every day to put the mission and your people first before your own safety. To the students and parents here today, my challenge to you is simple: Don't just look for a title, look for a need to serve. Whether you're in a classroom, on a sports field, or eventually in this uniform, lead like Sergeant Curtin did. Lead with courage, lead with integrity, and remember, the greatest leaders are the ones who are willing to run towards the struggles so that the others can find their way home.”

Walt Whitman Principal Dr. John Murphy echoed the captain’s thoughts on what it takes to be a good leader. ”Leadership is not about titles or recognition,” Dr. Murphy told the honorees. “It's about how you treat people. It's about how you use your voice to uplift others. The world needs individuals who are willing to listen and support others. It needs people to lead with empathy and kindness. It needs people to be courageous enough to create their own path instead of simply following. As you leave Whitman, I hope you carry these qualities always, and cherish the memories, the friendships, the lessons, and the values you helped share that helped make you the person you are today.”

Graduating senior Nicole Bell, whom Dr. Murphy introduced as a student who “takes up a responsibility to make sure that she is a leader every day,” congratulated her classmates, and asked them to try not to get caught up in the commotion of daily life as they head off to college and their careers. "It is imperative that we remember that South Huntington has taught us all to be good people and citizens and how to take care of all of those around us. I encourage all of you to continue serving your community through your college years and beyond. There is nothing more rewarding and selfless than giving your time and energy to help and support those around you,” said Nicole. 

At the end of the presentation, Dr. Murphy revealed the plaque printed with the names of all this year’s Michael Curtin Citizenship Award winners. It will be put on permanent display in the high school as a lasting tribute to their commitment to helping and serving others.

 

Congratulations to Walt Whitman’s 2025/2026 Michael S. Curtin Citizenship Award recipients: 

Joseph Alas, Azucena Alvarado Gomez, Jayden Amaya, Alexandra App, Fernando Ascencio Luna, Rehan Baig, Adrienne Bassetta, Jack Bell, lan Black, Hanna Borysowski, Demi Botta, Micah Brandon, Sydney Brengel, Christopher Cabal, Gabrielle Cali, Carmello Campagna,  Amiri Campbell, Angelica Canales, Anthony Canales, Camila Canales, Jose Canas Garcia, Mariza Catalan Hernandez, Alexander Cerna, Ever Chavez Hernandez, Alex Chicas, Tyler Chisolm, Wilson Cisneros Rivas, Phillip Clark, Brianny Contreras Beltre, Madelyn Crocco, Emilio Cruz, Eli Dalton, Luke Decker, Stefany Delao Alfaro, Jeremiah DiBartolomeo, Nicholas DiLeo, Joseph Dominguez Amaya, Jose Duarte Menjivar, Logan Elar, Joseph Fazio, Katerin Figueroa Flores, Tyler Francisco, Nicole Fuentes Sanchez, Reece Fullerton, Abner Garcia Garcia, Ariana Giron, Sarah Goldberg, Sofia Golembiowski, Brody Grant, Dominic Grasso, Kimberly Guevara Flores, Ryan Gulickson, Riley Hampton, Rehan Hussain, Salvatore Inga, Michael Kaloo, Enoch Lawrence Adjahoe, Kevin Lema-LoJa, James Lopoulos, Aryane Mayes, Abigail Mejia, Marc-Legend Milbin, Francesco Monez, Erlan Montoya Ulloa, Natalia Morales, Avangeline Nunez, Lucy O Loughlin, Francesca Padovan, Sharon Perez, Nikita Phipps, Thomas Pignatelli, Makayla Pinckney, Valeria Portillo Quintanilla, Laura Quinones Ramirez, Cindy Quintanilla Saravia, Diana Ramirez, Emily Ramirez Euceda, Acxel Ramirez Hernandez, Layla Rasa, Marygrace Reilly, Jacquelyn Reyes Zamora, Jeremy Rich, Dominic Rosa, Dean Rosengold, Sydney Rosengold, Meghan Roth, Sonja Sample, Katie Sarmiento Cisneros, Cristel Shocochic Perez, Tatiana Tumbarello, Otoniel Umana Alvarez, Sabrina Whelan, and Kaitlynn Wilson.

 

**View and download pictures here**

 

Senior Nicole Bell spoke to her peers about the importance of continuing to serve the community and how rewarding it is to selflessly give time and energy to help and support those around you. 

 

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

 

To help the community better reflect on Michael Curtin's life, his service, and the ideals he stood for, the school was truly honored to welcome Captain Kenan Akaydin and three other members of the New York Police Department Emergency Service Unit.

 

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