Blue Devils Participating in Student Leadership Conference

A four student delegation of Huntington High School athletes will participate in a Section XI conference at Center Moriches next Friday. The group includes juniors Dje Bi Baleborzan Simrell and Olivia Polinsky and seniors Anthony Annunziata and Hope Bilkey.

The four students will be joined by Blue Devil athletic department officials. Approximately 200 students from 46 Suffolk high schools will be participating in the event.

“The student athlete conference is an opportunity for student-athlete leaders from schools across Suffolk County to collaborate with each other on the student-athlete experience,” said Jeremy Thode, the athletic director at Center Moriches who is organizing the conference. “Presentations will be given by various professionals on topics such as leadership, sportsmanship, social media, psychology of sport and mental wellness. We will have a handful of short educational and/or motivational presentations, some interactive activities and, most importantly, collaboration among our students on topics impacting their lives.”

The conference will run from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Students will work in groups on topics that include leadership, sportsmanship, mental health, stressors, pride development, social media, resources and student-athlete supports.

“We have an impressive panel of current collegiate athletes who are preparing to do a Q & A session,” Mr. Thode said. “There is a possibility of a major news network covering the event as well.”

Student participants are asked to wear any type of school attire; preferably shirts/sweatshirts. “We want to try to honor and highlight the school districts,” Mr. Thode said.