NEW HAVEN, Conn. – After a spirited competition among all intercollegiate programs at Southern Connecticut State University, the women’s basketball team has been recognized as the winner of the Tim Greer Insurance Agency, Inc. Community Service Cup for the 2014-15 academic year.

In addition, sophomore Christine Volz (Cincinnati, Ohio) of the gymnastics team has been named the recipient of this year’s individual Community Service Cup award. The awards were presented at the annual Senior Athletic Awards banquet on Tuesday evening.

The Tim Greer Insurance Agency, Inc. Community Service Cup provides a competitive format that allows student-athletes to gain an enriched experience through engagement with the on-campus and local communities by supporting ventures of traditional citizens, campus community members and peer students and student-athletes.

“I would like to congratulate the women’s basketball team for claiming this year’s Tim Greer Insurance Agency, Inc. Community Service Cup team award and Christine for capturing our individual Community Service Award,” Director of Athletics Jay Moran said. “These individuals have made community service a priority through their assistance at numerous events throughout the course of the year.

“In addition, I would like to thank all of our programs for serving as outstanding ambassadors for Southern Connecticut State University through extensive community service efforts. As a group, our student-athletes have volunteered approximately 4,000 hours of their time to community service causes this past year. I commend all of our coaches and student-athletes for their efforts.”

The women’s basketball program assisted with numerous programs, both on-campus and in Greater New Haven, during the past academic year. The team helped with on-campus events such as Girls and Women in Sport Day.

The Owls also conducted clinics at the New Haven Boys’ and Girls’ Club and Spring Glen School running basketball drills and games. In addition the team took part in writing letters to the United States armed forces, collecting and donating books, clothes and food to donate to local charities and continuous participation with reading and tutoring at Beecher School and Clinton Avenue School in New Haven.

Volz was immersed in numerous events both on and off-campus. She spent this past summer volunteering around the globe. She traveled to Kenya to work in orphanages and assist with health assessments and the elderly in the region. She also traveled to Cuba to complete painting projects at local homes. When she finally returned home in Ohio, she continued volunteering her time at a local Bible school.

She also assisted with on-campus events such as Friends of Rudolph and volunteered her time towards local programs at St. Ann’s Soup Kitchen, the New Haven Animal Shelter and the American Red Cross.

The team champion was determined through a scoring system that awards points based on the percentage of each team’s roster that participates in an event. Student-athletes can earn points by a variety of means, including: participation in community service events (on or off campus), host pre- or post-game clinics and participation in campus events. The individual winner was selected through event participation throughout the course of the academic year.

Source: http://www.southernctowls.com/news/2015/4/28/GEN_0428153219.aspx

James Wilson Young Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society hosted a volleyball tournament to support the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, a public non-profit dedicated to significantly improving the lives of people with Down syndrome, and the school organization’s upcoming initiatives.  As a result of the effort, the school raised approximately $1,200, and 75 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the foundation with the remaining portion used to support the NJHS. The top winning teams were The Phantoms (grade 6), The Elite (grade 7) and Mist of Destruction (grade 8), who were crowned the overall champions.

Photo provided by the Bayport-Blue Point School District

The Glen Cove High School girls lacrosse team dedicated their home game against Plainview JFK during spring break to Tess Riso, daughter of former girls varsity assistant lacrosse coach and Kim Riso, who passed away three years ago. The girls wore pink T-shirts in memory of Tess and won the game 8-7. The team is competing in Conference IV and is currently 2-3 in their league. They are led by senior captains Selena Guastella (attack), Jenny Armstrong (defense) and Synella Gonzales (attack).

The defense features Erika Fonseca, Michelle Melfi, Rosa Pangari, Lindsey Payton and goalie Karla Correa. The team has a strong attack that includes Yenifer Molina, Alyssa Zangari and Lauren Rizzo. Tristyn Hudson, Catherine Hatala, Taylah Hudson, Steffany Figueroa andKatherine Willson round out the team with their midfield abilities. The girls are determined, hard-working and have great chemistry, which will hopefully lead to a successful season.

Photo Caption: Glen Cove High School’s girls lacrosse team is pictured with former girls varsity assistant coach Kim Riso and her infant daughter Kali.

Photo courtesy of Glen Cove City School District

On a bright and sunny Saturday morning, more than 700 students, facultyand members of the Harborfields community gathered on the Harborfields High School track to participate in the ninth annual walkathon fundraising event to benefit Make-A-Wish Suffolk County on April 18.

This year, all donations collected for the walk will be used to grant the wishes of at least two children battling life-threating illnesses. One of the children who will benefit is 9-year-old Jake from Medford, who is fighting Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The generous donations of the Harborfields community will grant Jake’s wish to go on a Disney cruise with his family.

Sponsored jointly by the Make-A-Wish Committee of Thomas J. Lahey Elementary School, the Acts of Kindness Committee at Washington Drive Primary School, as well as the schools’ respective PTAs, the event raised more than $17,000. Many of the Harborfields students who attended the walkathon raised money in a number of creative ways, including donating their weekly allowances, running bake sales and lemonade stands, and selling hand-made bracelets.

“It’s a great event because it really brings the community together,” said Thomas J. Lahey Elementary School third-grade teacher and one of the event coordinators Diane Brown. “I think the students really understand that they are doing something great to help another person.”

Photo Caption: Make-a-Wish: Harborfields students, faculty and members of the community rallied together to raise more than $17,000 for Make-A-Wish Suffolk County to grant 9-year-old Jake’s wish.

Photo courtesy of the Harborfields Central School District

Elwood-John H. Glenn High School recently hosted a benefit concert in memory of Sean Urda, a student who passed away earlier this year. Students and staff members participated as performers and volunteers at the event, paying homage to their friend while honoring his life through music.

Student Tom Priest spearheaded the concert with the help of Director of Bands Vickie Henson. Students, faculty members and coaches sold T-shirts and tickets, with proceeds benefitting the Sean Urda Memorial Soccer Scholarship Fund.

Sean’s parents, Gary and Nicole, were among the audience members who came out to hear the meaningful tribute. “The outpouring of love and support for our family is beyond words,” Mr. Urda said. “This community has gone above and beyond, and we are very grateful.”

Group ensembles in the spotlight were Knightjazz, the Airport Wheelchair band, made up of faculty members, and Acappelwood. Students Kelsey Hackett and Kerri Donnellan performed as a duo, and Matt Henningsen and Nick Bouzas shared individual numbers. Two songs presented by Priest, Andrew Katz and Justin Starr concluded the show, at which time audience members turned on LED candles and illuminated the room.

Story and photo courtesy of Elwood Union Free School District