Glenn’s Lamena and East Islip’s Mcintee Win 2024 Dellecave Award

Pictured, from left: Mark Dellecave, President, Butch Dellecave Foundation; Mike Anderson, Sports Reporter, Newsday; Lauren LaMena; Matthew McIntee; Adrian Fassett, CEO, Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, Inc.; and, Guy Dellecave, Executive Director, Butch Dellecave Foundation. [Photo Credit: Artist Lake Media]

HOLBROOK, NY – JUNE 11, 2023 – Lauren LaMena, a senior at John H. Glenn High School in Elwood, and Matthew McIntee, a senior at East Islip High School were honored with the Butch Dellecave Award at a ceremony held at Villa Lombardi’s in Holbrook.

Named in memory of the legendary educator, official, and coach Gaetano “Butch” Dellecave, the award is the product of a highly successful 24-year partnership between local school districts in Suffolk County and the award organizers: the Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, Inc., the Butch Dellecave Foundation, and Newsday.

Athletic Directors from all sixty-six Suffolk County school districts were asked to nominate one male and one female from their high school senior class. Nominees must be students who not only were at the top of their game, but also scored high in classroom performance and in their commitment to local community service.

Matthew McIntee had an extraordinary senior year at East Islip, excelling in sports, academics, and community service. As a scholar-athlete, he captained the varsity football, track, and lacrosse teams, earning All-County, All-State, and MVP honors. Academically, he maintained a weighted average of 97.47 and consistently made the High Honor Roll. Matthew also received the "High Minds in Motion" honor for excellence in all three sports. His dedication to community service was evident through his work with East Islip Amvets and running lacrosse clinics for young children. Matthew's achievements in both athletics and academics, combined with his volunteer efforts, highlight his exceptional commitment and leadership. He will be attending Syracuse University in the fall.

Lauren LaMena, the salutatorian of John Glenn High School, will be attending the University of Notre Dame. As Senior Class President and Vice President of the National Honor Society, she demonstrated exceptional leadership, organizing activities and creating community service opportunities. Lauren's academic achievements include being a National Merit Finalist, AP Scholar with Distinction, and receiving the RIT Humanities and Social Sciences Award. She finished with an unweighted average of 99.6. Athletically, she earned 10 varsity letters and received accolades such as Academic All-County in basketball and All-League in soccer. Additionally, Lauren founded and captained the Intramural Flag Football Team, securing its future at her school.

About the Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, Inc.

The Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, Inc. – a not-for- profit 501(c)(3) community-based organization – has been serving Suffolk County since 1967. It is the county’s federally designated Community Action Agency, designed to assist low-income families and individuals. The agency’s mission is to promote a goal of self-sufficiency by broadening the minds of children, revitalizing communities, and assisting families and children in need through the coordination of public and private resources.