This past fall season, both the Girls’ Varsity Soccer and Varsity Field Hockey Teams were recognized by the Suffolk County Officials’ Association as the recipients of the 2015 “Most Outstanding Team Sportsmanship Award” in all of Suffolk County. This award is issued to teams that demonstrate character, class, respect and sportsmanship during competition. This award also reflects teams who spearhead projects outside of the athletic venue. The girls’ soccer “Audrey Davis Memorial Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser raised a total of $9,335.85 that will be donated to several cancer organizations to help with research and to help support individuals and families affected by all forms of cancer. The team also decided to give back to several families in our community impacted by cancer.

The Field Hockey team held numerous fundraisers and raised $3,175 throughout the season in honor of three families in the Harborfields community who lost loved ones to this terrible disease.

In gymnastics, two senior student athletes were issued scholarships by the Suffolk County Coaches Association. Senior Sara Veleno was the winner of the “Susan Bradley Memorial Scholarship” issued to as deserving athlete who emulates the characteristics of dedication, poise, self-discipline and enthusiasm in memory Susan Bradley, a former standout gymnast from Connetquot High School who excelled in the sport from 1973-1979.

Senior student athlete Amana Semmelmeier was awarded the “Spirit of the Flame Award” issued to a senior gymnast who exemplifies a genuine desire to succeed as well as grow intellectually. Amanda was recognized for her contributions as a talented gymnast who also works endlessly to give back to her family, school and community.

The Hicksville Varsity Gymnastics team participated in the Lexiebean Foundations Adopt Children with Cancer for Christmas Program and provided some Christmas gifts for them and their siblings. The girls delivered all the gifts to 2 year old Joseph with ALL leukemia and his 3 year old sister. The team also provided Christmas cards and letters to an 8 year old girl whose entire family was slain in a house fire two years ago. She has undergone dozens of surgeries and had stated that she only wanted cards for Christmas this year.

The Sanford N. Calhoun girls’ varsity basketball team, along with Coaches Peter Magnuson and Matt Fuentes hosted a clinic for younger children during the December break. 

Participants included students from the local elementary and middle schools in Bellmore and Merrick in fourth through eighth grades. About 60 kids participated in all.

Photo Caption: Children in the Bellmore-Merrick communities participated in a basketball clinic hosted by the Calhoun girls’ varsity basketball team.

Photos courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

Members of the Global Justice Club and the Forensics Club at Harborfields High School , which include studnet athletes, worked collaboratively to raise money and collect donations for Little Shelter, Huntington Animal Shelter and Grateful Paw Cat Shelter, as well as spread the word on why adopting is better than shopping for a new pet. To read more, check out the full story at www.tbrnewsmedia.com/caring-kids-support-north-shore-animal-shelters/

FLUSHING, N.Y. – Following its contest with American International, the Queens College women’s basketball team hosted its third-annual holiday hoops event. The event was a great success for everyone involved.

The children participating in the event got treated to the game, sitting near the Queens College bench. After the game, the campers had a pizza party, spent some time in the Fitzgerald Pool and joined the team to watch a movie later that night. They all had a fun time.

Perhaps the biggest benefactors from the day were the parents, who got some uninterrupted time to finish up the Christmas shopping.