First Annual Carmen Rivera-Gotay Memorial Scholarship Awarded to Erin Plante

Filed under: Huntington Union Free School District,News |
Erin Plante

Erin Plante

The first annual Carmen Rivera-Gotay Memorial Scholarship has been awarded to Huntington High School senior Erin Plante. Carmen’s mother, Carolyn Gotay, presented the award at the Huntington High School Annual Awards Dinner, saying, “This scholarship honors Carmen’s memory by recognizing a student who shines because of the fullness of her heart, brightness of personality and willingness to give of herself.” Erin’s name will be added to a plaque in the Huntington High School lobby. She also received $500 towards her college education.

Erin Plante was recognized for her contributions to the community highlighted by her work with the stage crew and as an intern with the special education classes. Erin also has a love for horses that includes serving as President of the Future Farmers of America Equine Class and working at the Thomas School of Horsemanship. She will continue her studies at Morrisville State College.

Carmen Rivera-Gotay had just completed her junior year at Huntington High School when she died in a car accident. To honor her memory, her mother, Carolyn Gotay, established this memorial scholarship and the Schlitt Law Firm has pledged to fund the scholarship for 20 years. The Huntington School Board officially recognized the scholarship at their meeting on March 24, 2014.

Carmen Rivera-Gotay

Carmen Rivera-Gotay

At the awards ceremony, Carolyn Gotay said, “We wanted to create something tangible to remember Carmen and all the goodness she brought into our lives.” Erin was a classmate of Carmen’s and wrote in an essay submitted as part of the scholarship application, “The scholarship means a lot to me because it’s all about Carmen. Carmen deserves all the recognition she gets because she was such a bright student who cared about her community.”

“Carmen was full of life,” said her mother, “and we didn’t want people to remember her by tragedy, but by the good she did for others.” The memorial scholarship is an ongoing testament to the cheer and vitality that Carmen brought into so many lives.

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