Shenendehowa students honored for Puerto Rican/Hispanic leadership program and winter sports achievements

Dr. Robinson, superintendent of the Shenendehowa Central School District, recognized students who took part in the Puerto Rican Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute and dozens of winter-sports athletes at a Board of Education meeting where the board also adopted the evening agenda.

The youth leadership recognition highlighted students who attended the institute, which teaches New York State government and leadership skills and includes debating bills on the assembly floor. Student participants said the program boosted their confidence and civic interest. "This experience has inspired me to do more in the future," student Leide Pilco Ozuna said, adding that the institute helped her overcome a fear of speaking English after immigrating to the United States. Isabella Rodriguez said the program "makes Hispanic teenagers know that their voice is also important." Dylan DeRona, who was named an outstanding delegate for the Capital Region delegation, said the program changed how he views involvement in government.

The superintendent's report then moved into winter athletics, with coaches and athletes recognized for team championships, state qualifiers and individual honors across multiple sports. The district reported 9 sports represented, 21 teams, 44 coaches and more than 500 student participants in winter athletics. The board noted that 12 varsity teams met the NISSA requirement to be recognized as scholar-athlete teams and that more than 60 individuals earned scholar-athlete recognition during the season.

On the mat and the podium: girls wrestling completed its third season with major accomplishments. Coach Paul Marino said the program won the Suburban Council title and finished runner-up in Section II; five wrestlers qualified for the state tournament. Marino singled out Ava Gillette as the program's first girls freestyle state champion, noting that Gillette won all four of her state matches by first-period pin. "Their dedication and dominant fashion is nothing short of impressive," Marino said.

Skiing programs posted state-level success: alpine skiing captured a state championship — the district called it the program's third state title in four years — and coach Burke credited a small but effective roster that won seven of eight section races. Nordic skiing produced sectional champions and state qualifiers; the district noted Raquel Landa's third straight individual sectional title and appearances in national junior competition.

In the pool, boys swimming and diving finished the season undefeated, won the Suburban Council and Section II titles, and swept the diving podium at sectionals, the district said. Coach Dunham, who was recognized for his work as coach and aquatics director, celebrated the team's depth: "We were able to remain undefeated because we had the best team," he said. Senior captain Cooper Simmons received the All-Section scholar-athlete award.

Wrestling on the boys' side also had a strong season; coach Chris Capizzuti reported a Suburban Council second-place finish, a Section II dual-meet championship, 13 sectional qualifiers and multiple individual sectional placers, with five athletes advancing to the state tournament. Coach Rob Weeks, a long-time district coach who was acknowledged during the meeting for his New York State Hall of Fame induction and more than 320 career wins, was also recognized by the board.

Other winter highlights included: boys ice hockey reaching the state semifinal in Buffalo with a 17-7-1 overall record; girls and boys indoor track producing state and national-level qualifiers with several school records broken; bowling winning tournament titles and placing second at the girls state composite team event, led by senior Maya Snee; and cheerleading, basketball and other teams earning sectional honors and all-league recognitions.

The board opened the meeting by adopting the agenda; Janice moved to adopt and Thomas seconded the motion, which passed with the board noting six votes in favor and one member, Diana, absent for the meeting. No other board actions or policy decisions were recorded in the portion of the meeting that covered the recognitions.

The district framed the evening as a celebration of student achievement across civic leadership and athletics, thanking coaches, families and community volunteers. Dr. Robinson and athletic staff encouraged continued academic and athletic effort as teams move into spring seasons and postseason play.