Kellenberg Memorial High School Honors Its Varsity Fall Athletes

On November 30, the fall varsity athletics programs gathered to honor the athletes of the fall season. Awards were given for most committed, most improved, and most valuable athletes on each team. The Most Improved Player Award is awarded to the athlete who displayed the greatest amount of improvement and growth in their skills which contributed to the success of their team. The Bernie Ward Commitment Award is named after our beloved former faculty member, coach, and colleague Bernie Ward is for the athlete who has displayed the most passion and commitment towards bettering themselves and their teammates during the season. The Most Valuable Player Award is awarded to the athlete whose contribution to the team contributed most towards that team’s success during the season. Here is what the coaches had to say about the team members from your hometown.

Boys Varsity Track: Matthew Gornstein of Seaford has always been a hard worker, fierce competitor, and driven. I have never seen a runner who has so dramatically changed over a four-year period. He has made me a believer that anything is possible with hard work. He is a great example of what we want all of our runners to be. He was a unanimous choice to be one this year’s Team Captains and to win this award. The Bernie Ward Commitment Award goes to Matthew Gornstein.

Varsity Dance: This year’s Most Committed Award goes to a dancer who is an integral and influential part of the team, not only on the Varsity level. Even with injuries a few times this season, she has been invested in making our team better throughout the season. Her commitment to the team was most apparent not only on the dance floor, but in practice sessions as well. She was always willing and ready to try new dances and worked well with others to perfect her skills. When her coaches or teammates needed her, she was always there without hesitation. We are proud to have her as a member and captain of the Varsity Dance Team. This year’s Bernie Ward Commitment Award goes to Senior and Captain, Alyssa Ruggiero of Seaford.

Girls Varsity Volleyball: "Ambassador” is a word that is tossed about in government circles, denoting that person who promotes or champions a certain country, group, or ideology. If I may, for a moment, shift the focus of that term away from diplomacy and to the world of athletics, I can think of no better ambassador for what is right about sports than senior Colleen Moulder. Colleen plays with character, integrity, and honor at the forefront. Never a self-promoter, she is always about “team” and the greater good. Like the Parson in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, Colleen adheres to the adage: “If gold rusts, what will iron do?” Serving as our captain, Colleen was our number one compiler in blocks and our second-most generator in kills. Her love for the game, her willingness to train outside of the season, and her ability to get along with her teammates are just three of the many gifts she brings to our program. Without a doubt, Colleen Moulder is the best ambassador a coach could ask for. Her teachers, her coaches, and her teammates love her because she inspires all of us to greatness. We may be mere iron most times, but just being in her presence is purely golden.