To be a standout high school athlete involves good technique, confidence and quick reactions. In addition to these skills, three Rocky Point High School varsity baseball players used keen observation and an awareness of their surroundings to help address a situation in the local community.

Seniors Cody Miller, Niko Sorice and A.J. Walker were driving by the local food bank when they noticed people in line looking for additional provisions. The sight inspired them to start a food drive at Rocky Point High School. Cody made an appointment to meet with Principal Jonathan Hart to discuss a food drive he wanted to lead in the building.

Together they decided on a week and Cody and his teammates collected food throughout the school. Some students and families learned of the food drive and dropped off food at Cody’s home as well. The school’s Athletes Helping Athletes also ran a diaper donation the same week to further support these young men’s cause.

The trio then took the dozens of boxes and bags of donated nonperishable foods and pantry items and delivered them to the shelter, where they were well received. 

“These boys should be commended for their compassion, leadership and citizenship within our school community,” Principal Jonathan Hart said. “As standout student athletes, they certainly set an outstanding example for the youth throughout our community.”

 

Photo Caption: From left, Rocky Point High School students seniors A.J. Walker, Niko Sorice and Cody Miller.  

 

Photo courtesy of the Rocky Point School District

 

The Cold Spring Harbor elementary schools united to support the Save the Children Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund, spearheaded by West Side Elementary School sixth grade student, Sadie Flynn, who reached out to Goosehill Primary School, and Lloyd Harbor Elementary School to invite them to join her mission. 

Sixth grade HERO Projects are rites of passage for West Siders before they head off to Cold Spring Harbor Jr/Sr High School. HERO Projects are student agency opportunities in which sixth graders take the lead and initiate activities to enhance their school learning environment as well as give back to the greater community. 

When deciding on her HERO Project Sadie shared, “As I learned all about what was happening to the Ukrainians, I was shocked. I couldn’t believe they were leaving their homes and now had to start over. Then I learned about Save the Children and realized fundraising for them would be the perfect HERO Project.”         

 All three elementary schools eagerly embraced this donation drive to support the mission for the Ukrainians and Sadie’s HERO project. Her goal was to raise money to specifically purchase needed items including food and blankets for refugee families trying to find safety during this incredibly difficult time. Donations collected from all three schools totaled $5,550. In addition, Sadie’s father’s employer generously offered to match the funds raised.                                Photo caption: West Side Elementary School Principal Alison Hazut with sixth grade student Sadie Flynn who spearheaded a donation drive to support the Save the Children Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund.

 

Photo courtesy of the Cold Spring Harbor Central School District

 

 

Seven Huntington High School varsity boys’ basketball players spent time in a pre-kindergarten program classroom at Southdown Primary School reading to the youngsters and sharing their love of books. The little kids enjoyed every minute of the visit.

Dylan Coleman, Kevin Drake, Max Rentsch, Clayton Ward, Charlie Girimonti, Henry Vohs and Aidan McNulty volunteered for the community service initiative developed by Blue Devil varsity head coach Kenneth Parham.

The players and their coach met in the picnic area prior to heading into the classroom. They dined on pizza and sandwiches and reviewed plans for their classroom visit with Parham.

Once inside the building, the towering varsity basketball players and their coach quickly became stars to the pre-kindergarteners, who embraced the teenagers.

The players spread out among the class members and each of them read to small groups of youngsters, discussing the books and pictures as they went along. Neither the players nor the pre-kindergarteners wanted their time in the classroom to end.

“It is important to help instill in our players a sense of community and responsibility to help others,” Parham said. “We are striving to develop a top notch program both on and off the court. We are fortunate to have players who enjoy performing community service. This is our second project this year. Players are learning it is both fun and rewarding.”

 

https://www.hufsd.edu/articles/2022/april/06c.html

LATHAM, NY- The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) has announced Arlington High School (Section I) as the winner of the Community Service Challenge for winter 2022.

Arlington High School was chosen as the winner by the NYSPHSAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), which is comprised of two current student-athletes from each of the 11 member sections. This is the second time Arlington has won the award (2014) and the fifth Section I school to win it.

The Arlington wrestling program hosted its second annual Autism Awareness Night on January 25, 2022. The team sold special t-shirts for the event and collected a $5 donation at the door with all proceeds being donated to Autism Speaks of the Greater Hudson Valley.

“Autism Awareness Night is an inclusive way to allow kids and adults alike to enjoy a wrestling match,” said Jack Frustace, Arlington Senior Captain. “We put a ton of effort into it every year and my brother, especially, got to spectate in a safe environment thanks to our coaches.”

The event was also sensory friendly with the pledge of allegiance replacing the playing of the national anthem, the end of period buzzer was eliminated, the normal pre-match music and strobe light warm up was cancelled and a hands-only silent cheer replaced the traditional cheering in the stands.

“We are fortunate to coach a large team in a huge school that’s part of an amazingly supportive community,” said Dave Grafmuller, Arlington Wrestling Coach. “That affords us a platform and an opportunity for education and activism well beyond our wrestling room. Our hope is always to cultivate better human beings in addition to better student-athletes.”

“One of the many focuses of education-based athletics is to help instill the value of service work with our teams and athletes,” said Michael Cring, Arlington Director of Athletics. “We are proud of the many activities our programs take part in.  I am grateful for the leadership of our wrestling coaches who along with our parents and wrestlers worked to develop and see through our autism awareness night.  It was a very meaningful service activity for our community.”

A total of 124 projects were submitted with 4,504 student-athletes participating in some type of community service project this past winter. In total, $137,285 was raised for charitable causes with 17,246 hours donated by NYSPHSAA student-athletes.

The NYSPHSAA Community Service Challenge submissions are made though the Team Up 4 Community (TU4C) platform. This allows schools to submit their projects online providing sports teams the opportunity to showcase community service projects, demonstrating their commitment and impact in the community.

Previous Community Service Challenge Champions-

2021-22        Fall, Bethpage Senior High School (Section VIII)
Winter, Arlington High School-Wrestling Program (Section I)

2020-21        Fall, Maple Hill Jr./Sr. High School-Girls Soccer Program (Section 2)
Winter, Columbia High School (Section 2)
Spring, John F. Kennedy High School (Section VIII)

2019-20        Fall, Ossining High School-Football Team (Section I)
Winter, Cambridge Central School-Girls Basketball Program (Section 2)
Spring, Smithtown High School West-Football Team (Section XI)

2018-19         Fall, Canandaigua Academy-Girls Volleyball Team (Section V)
Eastport South Manor-Boys Volleyball Team (Section (XI)
Winter, Harrison High School-Athletes in Action (Section I)
Spring, Hewlett High School-Leaders Club (Section VIII)

2018 – Farmingdale High School (Section VIII)
2017 – Akron High School (Section VI)
2016 – Mahopac High School (Section I)
2015 – Kings Park High School (Section XI)
2014 – Arlington High School (Section I)
2013 – Columbia High School (Section 2)
2012 – Ossining High School (Section I)
2011 – Adirondack Central School (Section III)

About NYSPHSAA (Twitter: @NYSPHSAA | Facebook: NYSPHSAA | YouTube: NYSPHSAASports):
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association Inc. is a non-profit, voluntary, educational service organization composed of public, parochial, and private schools dedicated to providing equitable and safe competition for the students of its member schools. The organization conducts 32 championship events and governs the rules and regulations of high school athletics in New York State. Membership is open to secondary schools providing interschool athletic activities for boys and girls in grades 7-12.
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The Cold Spring Harbor High School cafeteria was overflowing with donations from students, staff and the community of items to be shipped in support of the Ukraine. The donation drive was organized in collaboration with the Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Church in Queens which will be shipping all donations overseas. 

There were numerous boxes and bags full of clothing, feminine hygiene products, diapers and baby needs, blankets, towels, first aid kits, hand and foot warmers and even coloring books and crayons. Pastor Mario Dacechen personally thanked the students for their extraordinary efforts to help others in need and for extending themselves above and beyond by sorting all the goods and labelling all the boxes.  

“It allowed us to move the collections to the next level to expedite delivery to the warehouse, which ships to Ukrainian refugee camps in Poland,” said Pastor Dacechen.

In addition, North Shore Holiday House of Huntington heard of this effort, and they generously arranged for a number of boxes to be donated in support as well. It was a true community effort.  

This humanitarian relief effort was spearheaded by CSH High School junior Lili Weissberg with the help of student government and advisers Myra Georgiou and Maria Segura. The Cold Spring Harbor Central School District thanks everyone for this amazing outpouring of support, which will be sent along with prayers and hope to so many in need during this time of crisis in the Ukraine.  

 

Photo caption: Cold Spring Harbor High School students participated in a Ukraine Donation Drive spearheaded by CSH High School junior Lili Weissberg (center). A multitude of much needed items will be sent to Ukrainian refugee camps in Poland.

 

Photo courtesy of the Cold Spring Harbor Central School District