Blue Devils to Speak Up For Change at Conference

A contingent of eight Huntington High School students will participate in this year’s Section XI Nick DeCillis “Speak Up For Change” student-athlete conference at Center Moriches on Thursday.

Huntington seniors Olivia Polinsky and Lucas Spagnoletti; juniors Sophie Carlson and Jordan Thorbourne; sophomores Isabella Palacios and Shariff Penalo and freshmen Caroline Mitek and William Donaghy will among the more than 500 student-athletes from 60-plus high schools participating in the program.

“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 Center Moriches athletic director 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.