This week Suffolk County recognized the exceptional high school seniors, who were recently honored at the 24th Annual Butch Dellecave Award.
The award is named in memory of the legendary educator, official, and coach Gaetano “Butch” Dellecave. 16 school districts in Suffolk County have a partnership with the award organizers.
Athletic Directors from all sixty-six Suffolk County school districts nominate one male and one female from their high school senior class. Students are chosen not only for being at the top of their game, but also for scoring high in classroom performance and in their commitment to the local community.
The top male and female finalist will receive a trophy along with a $1,000 college scholarship.
From Bellport Izaiah Green and Brynn Johnsen were honored. Green was a standout football player for Bellport playing both tight end and defensive end, but his biggest accolades come from his Track and Field resume. Green has committed to East Stroudsburg University to continue his track and field career. Brynn Johnson was the captain of the lacrosse and basketball teams as well as a sailing coach and her GPA is one of the best in the school.
Center Moriches had Tyler Bonventre and Julia Hromanda take home the awards. Bonventre was an All State Shot Put star and also played multiple positions for the football team. Meanwhile, Hromanda is a volleyball standout but she might be best known for her work as the QB of the Flag Football team. Their multi-sport contributions and in the classroom work made them both easy selections.
Eastport-South Manor's Drew McGowan and Ashley Langdon were honored. McGowan shined on the baseball diamond this season and he will continue his career at Marist, while Langdon was named as one of the top 100 girls lacrosse players on Long Island and also received All County and All State honors for soccer.
Longwood seniors Jacob Milano and Ainsley Hololob represented their school and received their awards. Milano was a lacrosse star combined with his honor and AP student status making him an easy winner and Hololob is a three sport star. He was an excellent softball and basketball player, but she might be at her best on a volleyball court. She also is a member of the Student Council, Student Government, and National Honor Society.
Patchogue-Medford awarded Robert Melo and Rylee Wassmer. Melo was named to the top 100 baseball players on Long Island and did not disappoint. He even had an 11 strikeout game this season. Wassmer excelled as a midfielder and on defense in field hockey and was named among the top 50 on the Island.
William Floyd had Caden Lesiewicz and Kayla Gilmore join the prestigious awards. Lesiewicz played multiple positions for the football team and was first-team All-Long Island selection in 2022 and a second-team selection in 2023. He also excels in the classroom with an unweighted 97 GPA and earned a 1400 SAT score. Gilmore is a basketball star who this season set the record for the girls’ varsity basketball program’s all-time points scored. It was her 1,187th career point, surpassing the previous record held by Melissa Graves (formerly D’Amico),current head basketball coach of the Boston University women’s team. Gilmore also is the program’s all-time leader in assists and steals.