PRHS Celebrates 13th Annual Senior Sports Awards Dinner

An enthusiastic crowd of parents, athletes and members of the Pearl River High School athletic staff filled the Pearl River Elks Club in Nanuet yesterday for the Annual Senior Sports Awards Dinner 

An evening of presentations to honor this year's senior class ended with the announcements of the outstanding female and male athletes.  For her performances in lacrosse and soccer, Lauren Cook won the Margaret Metress Memorial Award.  Kenta Umezaki was awarded the Ira Shuttleworth Memorial Scholarship for his efforts in baseball, football and wrestling.

In a program that recognized so many athletic achievements, first year athletic director Todd Santabarbara pointed out that 39 of the 125 athletes in the senior class compiled an academic average of 90 and above. He added that 23 of 25 varsity teams earned New York State Public High School Scholar/Athlete Team Awards.

A wide variety of honors was bestowed on a group of athletes that brought Pearl River 13 league championships, six sectional championships, a regional championship and returned the Little Brown Jug to the Pirate trophy case. 

But perhaps the most compelling moment of the evening came during the presentation of the Robert W. McPadden Memorial Scholarships which honor senior female and male basketball players.  Recognized for their courage, character and commitment to team were Melissa Loughnane and Giuliano Gashaj.  McPadden was a 1988 Pearl River graduate, basketball player and New York City firefighter who perished on September 11, 2001.

In a voice choked with emotion, his brother Michael provided perspective to the Pirate athletes.

“Tragedy doesn’t always come in the form of September 11,” Michael McPadden said. “At some point during your lives you will experience tragedy, so appreciate the little things in life.  Think about the person’s name that is on your plaque.” 

He also asked the students to remember the other Pearl River families in attendance that have lost loved ones and concluded with the quotation, “One well-placed life can make a difference forever.”

“This is a great opportunity to recognize all the senior athletes who accomplished so many things this year,” Santabarbara said. “We take great pride in what they have done.  Their honors are well deserved.  But it is so important to have the families here to present awards that build a bridge between the school and these families.”  

Among other notable moments included:

• 2011 Class valedictorian Craig Coyle receiving the Outstanding Scholar Athlete Commendation Award
• Long-time girl’s track coach Dan Doherty was honored as he retires as a teacher but will continue his coaching duties.
• The Pirate of the Year award went to retiring Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Auriemma. Auriemma was among those who made an appearance at the softball team's state playoff game before the banquet despite a heat hovering around 95 degrees.
• A special appreciation was given to district Director of Quality/Community Relations Sandy Cokeley, who is retiring from the Pearl River school district in January.
• The section-champion softball team was given a standing ovation when it arrived after its state quarterfinal softball game, a 5-4 loss to Elmira Free Academy.

Special recognition was accorded to the athletes who earned at least six varsity letters in their Pirate careers.  Leading the list were Kerry Guerin (13), Francis DePinto (12), Erica Guerin (11), Christopher Spadaccini (11) and Chelsea Kushner (10).

Some other noteworthy awards from a list of deserving winners and those who have honored Pearl River athletics in years past:

• Julius D’Agostino “Coach Dag” Memorial Scholarship to the female and male athletes who best reflect the combination of athletic and academic achievement—Samantha Payne, Michael Dalton and Luke Houston.
• Frank Hartnagel Memorial Awards to the female and male athletes who were a “class act” on the field and in the classroom---Katelyn Garvey and Thomas Lappas.
• Max Talaska Memorial Scholarships to the female and male athletes who have made the “greatest overall contributions” to Pearl River sports -- Margaret Moore and Christopher Spadaccini.

Presented for the first time was the Tom Collins Sportsmanship Award to honor the former Pearl River athletic director and long time Rockland County coach. The recipients were Jean Marie Beckerle and Kevin Owens.

 “Any time you are involved in sports and with kids in general, it keeps you young and is a pleasure,” said Collins, who spent 44 years teaching and coaching young athletes. “Sports builds character and citizenship in the school district.  In Pearl River academics and athletics go hand in hand and this program honors those student athletes.”

Editor's note: Updated with photos and full story