Jimmy Ferraiolo Captures Jagoda Scholarship

Jake and Mary Jagoda were essential members of the Huntington community, growing up, socializing and attending school here and developing many close friendships over the years. When they were both lost in horrifying circumstances it was heartbreaking for their family, friends and former teachers and classmates.

In the aftermath of the twin tragedies, the Jagoda family created a scholarship that is annually awarded at Huntington High School in memory of Jake and Mary, who shared a passion for living, learning and history. Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence with an emphasis on history courses; indicate an intention to declare a college major in history or a related field; obtain the recommendation of a social studies teacher and submit a “History Is My Passion” essay. 

This year’s recipient of the Jagoda scholarship is Jimmy Ferraiolo, a member of Huntington High School’s Class of 2013. The teenager will be majoring in history and education at City University of New York – Hunter College “to fulfill my dream of being a history teacher,” he said. “I enjoy telling stories and I love history. History is my passion because it is what binds us all together. No matter who you are or where you come from you will always be part of history. It’s my real passion to be the history teacher that sparks a students’ own passion for history.”

Killed at WTC on 9/11

A huge fan of the History Channel, Jake Jagoda attended elementary school in the Huntington School District and starred on the tennis team at J. Taylor Finley Junior High School before graduating from Chaminade High School in 1995.

Mr. Jagoda was killed in the terrorist attack on 1 World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 when hijackers flew an airplane into the north tower. He was 24 years old.

The ebullient Mr. Jagoda, who always seemed to have a twinkle in his eye, was in his second month of working as a trader on the 105th floor for TradeSpark, a subsidiary of Cantor Fitzgerald, one of the world’s premier financial services firms.

Known for his sometimes dry sense of humor and sensitive side, Mr. Jagoda loved the sea. He started fishing when he was four years old and was given his first boat when he was 12. He mastered all aspects of the sport and began working on the James Joseph, a charter boat that sailed out of Huntington, when he was 13. When fishing season ended, he worked on a lobster boat. He could even fly-fish, ice fish, deep-sea fish and trap lobsters. Classmates nicknamed him “Captain Jake.”

After initially attending Jacksonville College, the articulate Mr. Jagoda earned his undergraduate degree in historical studies at SUNY Empire State College. After obtaining his college degree he worked as a tackle salesman during the week and on the James Jospeh on the weekends. When he saw the need to work a more “regular job,” a friend helped him land the position with Cantor Fitzgerald.

Fateful Kayaking Excursion

The Jagoda family was devastated again just two years later when Mary Jagoda presumably drowned while kayaking in the fog with a friend off Cape Cod in October 2003. She was 20 years old and in her junior year at Brandeis University, where she was studying American history and journalism. She had plans to study abroad in Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland.

A member of Huntington’s Class of 2001, the shy, dark-eyed Ms. Jagoda was initially on the Brandeis swimming and diving team before later deciding to play on the university’s field hockey squad.

During her years at Huntington High School, Ms. Jagoda earned strong grades and was very involved in the extracurricular club and athletics programs. She was a member of the National Honor Society and the National French Honor Society.

Jake and Mary Jagoda were very close. When Jake was killed on September 11, 2001 it hit Mary hard, but while she struggled to go on, she was able to earn fine grades at Brandeis. She intended to dedicate her senior thesis to her brother. Following her freshman and sophomore years of college she enjoyed working during the summer months for an advertising agency in Manhattan

“Jake was my hero, “Mary Jagoda said in an online tribute. “He gave me my strength and my sense of humor. No one could tell a story like Jake. He had his timing perfected. He would hold out smiling until the perfect moment. There was always a punch line, but you never knew when it was coming, so I learned to listen carefully and constantly anticipate the joke. Often I would laugh too early, Jake would wait for the perfect moment and then slowly a sly grin would creep across his face. Usually I was on the floor laughing by then. I never could have imagined that such a gentle soul would die so early. Jake I miss you very much. I can only promise you that I won’t let your spirit or your laugh die with you. I’m working on the sly smile.”

Incredibly, a third Jagoda sibling also passed away tragically. Louis Jagoda lived only 19 days in 1982. Parents Louis and Anna May Jagoda brought their second child home from the hospital in what they thought was good health, but a previously unknown kidney blockage claimed his life.

Brother and Sister Loved History

This year’s recipient of the Jagoda scholarship shares the sibling’s love of history. “As I was flipping through the pages of the scholarship opportunity packet, the Jagoda scholarship caught my eye,” Mr. Ferraiolo said. “Applicants were to write an essay about how ‘History is their Passion.’ I saw this phrase and immediately knew this scholarship was right up my alley. In the essay I talked about how history has always been my favorite class. The one thing I have always loved about history class is that every day our teachers would tell us these great stories from the past. Every few weeks we learned the stories of the greatest empires, the deadliest warriors and the men and women who made the world what it is today. Hearing these stories every day is really why I love history.”

Mr. Ferraiolo is one of the greatest fencers in Huntington High School history. He compiled a 32-3 record in his final season with the Blue Devils, going undefeated in away meets, winning the Suffolk epee crown and earning first team All-County and All-Long Island honors.

“Throughout my years in Huntington I was lucky to have had some of the greatest teachers and storytellers,” Mr. Ferraiolo said. “Mr. [Rick] Erikson, my seventh grade social studies teacher sparked my love for history. Every day he came in with a story and an exciting attitude. He really got me interested in history and I soon realized that it was something that I was passionate about.”

The teenager was inducted into the National Honor Society as well as the Math, English and Tri-M Music honor societies. Mr. Ferraiolo has volunteered at Huntington Hospital, serving there as a floor aide.

“In my first two years of high school I took Honors Global and AP World History with Ms. [Camille] Tedeschi,” Mr. Ferraiolo said. “If there is one word to describe her it would be ‘passionate.’ Ms. Tedeschi cares for each and every one of her students. She taught us how to better ourselves as students and to further our understandings of world culture and history. The one thing textbooks couldn’t do is physically bring history into the classroom. Instead, Ms. Tedeschi brings her classroom to some of the most historical places in the world. This past July I got to be part of that very experience. Ms. Tedeschi organized a trip with EF Tours that brought Huntington students to Western Europe. We visited Berlin, Dresden, Prague, Paris, Switzerland and saw everything we learned in the textbooks come to life. It was the greatest experience of my life and I cannot thank Ms. Tedeschi enough for providing us the opportunity to see the world outside of the classroom. The trip was an eye opening adventure for me and it has only intensified my own passion for history.”

Ready to Move on

The new Huntington alum thoroughly enjoyed the past four years of high school, but now he is ready to move on with his life. “I’m very excited to start living in New York City at the end of this month, but I definitely plan on studying abroad and traveling the world to soak up as much knowledge and experience as possible,” Mr. Ferraiolo said. “After all, the best stories are your own.”

The Jagoda scholarship recipient is held in high regard by the faculty members who taught him. “Jimmy Ferraiolo is one memorable student,” said Camille Tedeschi, a Huntington High School social studies teacher. “He was always on time and prepared and truly interested in the lesson each day. He loves history and aspires to be a history teacher in the future. Jimmy is a student others can look up to for being smart, friendly, caring and passionate about his learning.”

Mr. Ferraiolo chose CUNY-Hunter College after carefully weighing a number of possibilities. He believes Hunter offers him many opportunities to grow intellectually and prepare for his chosen profession.  

“It was my pleasure to be his teacher for two years in 9 Honors Global and 10 AP World History,” Ms. Tedeschi said about Mr. Ferraiolo. “It was even more memorable to be able to experience Europe with him and know how much more he was absorbing outside of a textbook and classroom! All of his experiences will contribute his future success and teaching career. I am very proud of his hard work, effort and drive to be a success!” 

Jagoda Scholarship recipients through the years

2013    James Ferraiolo

2012    Justin LoScalzo and Erin Marcinik

2011    Cody Jacobs

2010    Erin McGoldrick

2009    Jeffrey Bishop

2008    Laura Dabrowski

2007    Ryan Jacobs

2006    John Lee and Jason Wirchin

2005    Tanya Holland

2004    Blake Wind and Johanna Pape