Suffolk Zone Award recipients Anthony Annunziata and Gianna Forte with James Polansky and Christine Biernacki. (Darin Reed photo.)
Suffolk Zone Award recipients Anthony Annunziata and Gianna Forte with James Polansky and Christine Biernacki. (Darin Reed photo.)

Huntington School Board Honors Student-Athletes

April 19, 2023

Huntington School Board members honored a pair of Suffolk Zone Award recipients and 12 fall and winter season All-State athletes during their public meeting this past Monday night in the Adam Spector Memorial Auditorium at Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School.

Blue Devil boys’ track coach Ronald E. Wilson, field hockey coach Kathy Wright, girls’ swimming coach Christopher Helmke and boys’ swimming coach Meg McConnell spoke emotionally about each of the All-State athletes.

The group of honorees included Laurel Bonn (field hockey), Kathryn Montefusco (girls’ swimming), Matthew Armstrong (boys’ track), Kender Edouazin (boys’ track), Johan Fajardo (boys’ track), Jahmar Francis (boys’ track), Nikolai Seferian (boys’ track), Ryan Centenno (boys’ track), Pierre Leroy (boys’ swimming), Evan Spagnoletti (boys’ swimming), Lucas Spagnoletti (boys’ swimming) and Max Leroy (boys’ swimming).

Among the group of 12 All-State athletes were six state champions, including Pierre Leroy, Matthew Armstrong, Kender Edouazin, Johan Fajardo, Jahmar Francis and Nikolai Seferian.

The athletes were presented with gorgeous certificates by Superintendent James W. Polansky and School Board President Christine Biernacki and were showered with praise and congratulations for a “job well done.”

Huntington seniors Anthony Annunziata and Gianna Forte were also introduced as this year’s Suffolk Zone Award recipients.

The Suffolk Zone chapter of the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance recognizes two individuals from every county high school’s graduating class. The award criteria includes achievement in physical education and health; overall academic performance, display of outstanding character and leadership in classes and during school wide activities.

Ms. Forte has been on the high honor roll during every academic marking period and is a New York State Scholar Athlete. A member of three separate honor societies, she is participating in the high school’s career internship program. She has served as the captain of the soccer, basketball and lacrosse teams and won awards in all three sports. She’s volunteered as a youth coach, collected food items for donation to Helping Hand Rescue Mission and participated in a holiday gift giving initiative for children from financially struggling families.

Stony Brook University has recruited Ms. Forte to play on its NCAA Division I lacrosse team. She plans to study health science.

Mr. Annunziata, has also excelled academically and is also a multiple-time New York State Scholar Athlete. He has earned varsity letters in football, wrestling and lacrosse, serving as captain and quarterback of the football team and captain and face-off specialist for the lacrosse team. A hard worker on and off the field, he is a member of four different academic honor societies and has been on the high honor roll throughout high school. He has volunteered to help the homeless and hungry through a variety of charitable organizations, including the Travis Manion Foundation, Young Leaders club and Andre Sorrentino’s annual Thanksgiving turkey drive.

Yale University has recruited Mr. Annunziata to play on its NCAA Division I lacrosse team. He plans to study economics.

Mr. Polansky and Mrs. Biernacki presented each of the Suffolk Zone Award winners with commemorative medals and certificates.