As the senior class of Massapequa High School celebrated National Decision Day on May 1, a group of 27 senior athletes gathered in the auditorium at the end of the day to celebrate their future plans.
The spring college athlete signing ceremony featured students who will continue on with baseball, softball, cheerleading, cross country, track and field, dance, football, soccer, swimming, volleyball and wrestling. They will head to colleges on Long Island, throughout New York State and across the country.
There were congratulatory remarks from Superintendent of Schools Dr. William Brennan, high school Principal Barbara Lowell, Interim Director of Physical Education, Health, Athletics and Recreation Matt McLees and high school Physical Education and Athletics Chairperson Brian Rath.
“This is something to be very proud of,” Mr. McLees said, adding that the accomplishment reflects their determination, perseverance and leadership.
The recently committed college-bound athletes are:
Baseball: Justin Graham, SUNY Oswego; Valentino Melissinos, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine; and Nicholaos Samaras, University of Mount Saint Vincent.
Softball: Juliana Muscara, SUNY Geneseo.
Cheerleading: Sophia Park, Tulane University.
Cross Country/Track and Field: Kevin Drury, University of New Haven; Connor Francis Glennon, SUNY Delhi; Keira McLaughlin, Molloy University; Emma Villalta, Bryant University.
Dance: Mia Cerciello and Kaelyn Hanley, Sacred Heart University; Andraya Dulanto and Brayden Morris, University of Massachusetts Amherst; Nicolette Impellizzieri, St. John’s University; and Nadia Ivancich and Kaitlyn Kopp, Quinnipiac University.
Football: Tristan Tarasi, Springfield College; and Cole Villalta, Saint Anselm College.
Men’s Soccer: Joseph D’Amico, St. Joseph’s University; and Jeremy Velez, Utica University.
Women’s Soccer: Hayden Murphy, Farmingdale State College.
Swimming: Victoria Ehrhardt, Hamilton College.
Men’s Volleyball: Jake McBride, Hartwick College; and Jack Stanley, Springfield College.
Women’s Volleyball: Victoria O’Neill, Springfield College.
Wrestling: Joseph Brooks, SUNY Cortland; and James Mulhern, LIU Post.