Buffalo, N.Y. – Project Play Western New York (WNY) is pleased to announce the 2022 Multisport Student Athlete Award recipients. These student athletes share the belief that the value of sports is measured by more than the scoreboard, and were nominated for the award by their Athletic Directors and/or high school coaches. Everyone on the list is a graduating senior who participated in at least three scholastic sports. The 2022 recipients are:
- Mason Banks, West Seneca West
- Lauren Beres, Hamburg Central School District
- Mason Branca, Wilson High School
- Brendon Butcher, Pine Valley Central School
- Mattison Cadle, Pine Valley Central School
- Jane Emily Carney, Amherst Central High School
- Robbie Cehulik, St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute
- John Chubb, Akron High School
- Jalen Craion, Sweet Home High School
- Tomas Cuesta, The Gow School
- Landon Danaher, Bolivar-Richburg Central School
- Jada Ghee, Williamsville North High School
- Morgan Giancaterino, Sacred Heart Academy
- Tyler Gibson, Albion High School
- Joseph Gurowicz, West Seneca East
- Jacob Hagen, Royalton-Hartland Central
- Chase Harding, Attica Central Schools
- Zachary Hill, Barker Central School
- Karlen Honey, Clymer Central School
- Abigail Hurtgam, Wilson High School
- Kevin Jobity, Maryvale High School
- Michal Kalisz, Cheektowaga Central
- Aaron Kasprzak, Tonawanda High School
- Heidi Khuu, Nardin Academy
- Lauren Kisloski, Tonawanda High School
- Justin Kruk, Alden High School
- Brady Kustra, Hamburg Central School District
- Ryan Laurito, Brocton Central School
- Brooke Livergood, Royalton-Hartland Central
- Grace Lundmark, Falconer Central School
- Jessica Majot, Bolivar-Richburg Central School
- Brennan McDermott, Williamsville North High School
- Markeith Mingo, Cheektowaga Central
- Mya Nickens, Maryvale High School
- Kaitlyn Partell, Alden High School
- Elle Ridge, Clarence High School
- Myles Samuel, Christian Central Academy
- Allie Schwerthoffer, Pembroke Sr. High School
- Jake Swanson, Falconer Central School
- Brandon Threet, Cardinal O’Hara
- Idianes Rivera Trinidad, Charter School for Applied Technologies
- Jena Vacanti, Brocton Central School
- Tiombe Wagstaff, South Park High School
- Shane Walczyk, Eden High School
- Austin White, Clymer Central School
- Jordan White, Sweet Home High School
- Elijah Williams, Cleveland Hill High School
- Jessica Zittel, Eden High School
Students were selected based on their commitment to their teams through a willingness to help, teach and assist their teammates and coaches, and by serving as a positive and relatable role model through good sportsmanship and a great attitude on and off the court/field. Recipients succeeded in the classroom by maintaining academic eligibility throughout their high school career and made a positive difference in the lives of youth at their school and in the wider community.
One of the key goals of Project Play WNY is to encourage sports sampling. Child development experts agree that participation in multiple sports enhances the development of not just athletic ability, but more importantly, life skills such as communication, teamwork and the value of hard work and commitment.
“The lessons learned from playing different sports in high school, coupled with what is learned in the classroom, stay with student athletes and provide a strong foundation for future success,” said Daycia Clarke, Director of Youth Sports Initiatives, Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. “Project Play WNY is proud to recognize these 48 graduating seniors, representing all eight counties of our region, who recognize that the value of sports is measured by more than the scoreboard. They all exemplify what it means to be a role model.”
For more information on the Multisport Student Athlete Award, visit projectplaywny.org.
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About Project Play WNY
Project Play WNY is driven and funded by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s Youth Sports & Recreation focus area in partnership with the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. It is a collective impact model that includes 107 individuals who are focused on ensuring all WNY kids have the opportunity to be active through sport. For more information, visit projectplaywny.org.
About the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
For more than a century, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has enhanced and encouraged long-term philanthropy in the Western New York community. A 501 (c)(3) organization, the Community Foundation’s mission is: Connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York. Established in 1919, the Community Foundation has made the most of the generosity of individuals, families, foundations and organizations who entrust charitable assets to the Community Foundation’s care. Learn more at cfgb.org.
About the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is a grantmaking organization dedicated primarily to sustained investment in the quality of life of the people of Southeast Michigan and Western New York. The two areas reflect the devotion of Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. to his hometown of Detroit and greater Buffalo, home of his beloved Buffalo Bills NFL team. Prior to his passing in 2014, Mr. Wilson provided that a significant share of his estate be used to continue a life-long generosity of spirit by funding the Foundation that bears his name. Based in Detroit, the Foundation began with a grantmaking capacity of $1.2 billion over a 20-year period, which expires January 8, 2035. This structure is consistent with Mr. Wilson’s desire for the Foundation’s impact to be immediate, substantial, measurable, and overseen by those who knew him best. For more information visit www.rcwjrf.org.
Media Contact:
Carolyn Human
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