Block “L”even (11)
Liberty Lauds Its Finest Athletes From 2010-11; Academic and Athletic Success Go Hand In Hand As Indians’ Resurgence Takes The Next Step
By RICHARD A. ROSS
Block "L" Trophy winners (top row left to right) "Ross" Award for Boys and Girls Soccer Scholar Athletes: Paulina Kleinberger and Ben Grisafe; "Rattner" Award for Boys and Girls Basketball Scholar Athletes- Megahn Burke and Will McGuire with presenters Beth Quatrale and Jason Semo; "Goodstein" Award for Wrestling Perseverance-Andy Martinez with presenter Coach John Lennon; "Kavleski" Award for Scholar Athletes In Track and Field: Jessica Dunnigan and Christopher Lockwood with presenters Coaches Ralph Bressler and Hazel Yaun Second row (left tor right): "Buchal" Award For MVP in Baseball annd Softball- Paulina Kleinberger and Joe Franke with presenters Coaches Matt Stoddard, Phil Fanning and John Wilhelm; "Charlie Barbuti" Award Baseball and Softball Sportsmanship Scholarship Megahn Burke and Emirsen Shehi with presenters . Center panel are the Senior Trophy Presentation Winners (Left to Right) Paulina Kleinberger Elizabeth "Betty" Totten Sportsmanship Awad; Will McGuire Elizabeth "Betty" Totten Sportsmanship Award; Jessica Dunnigan- "Tom Kelly" Award For Oustanding Senior Athlete, Eddie Soto-"Tom Kelly" Award For Outstanding Senior Athlete and Emirsen Shehi "Liberty Rotary Club" Senior Perseverance Award. Jessica Dunnigan addresses the audience as she gives thanks to the people who have inspired her.
As the days hurtle inexorably towards the end of this school year, it’s time for reflection, accolades and awards before the final coda of graduation. At Liberty High School on June 1, the annual Block “L” Athletic Awards Ceremony was an occasion to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of athletes from the fall, winter and spring seasons.
The many milestones of this year need not be repeated here. One needs only to click on the Liberty button on this website to read chapter and verse that comprise the ongoing tale of Liberty’s resurgence. As time is of the essence in this harried writer/photographer’s frantic end of year regimen, replete with slide show performances in four other school districts, I’ll let the list of winners and their photos suffice and add only my final words of praise and admiration for the hard work rendered and the valuable life lessons gained.
The ancient Greeks understood the balanced role of a vital intellect and physical fitness. “Sound bod; sound mind,” was their mantra. That Liberty had a total of ten teams honored by NYSPHSAA as worthy of Scholar Athlete recognition speaks volumes about the school’s emphasis on academic excellence commensurate with its fine athletic performance. The teams are listed below along with the individual award winners.
This year’s slide show which featured the photos from Sports Insights filled the screen in the admirable production put together by Athletic Director Jason Semo. Coaches came forth to laud their teams and present their awards, speaking words of praise, thanks and admiration for their teams and for the individual recipients.
The night was capped off by the Trophy Presentations pictured which are above. The Class of 2011 played a major role in the success of Liberty’s athletic program, a fact that cannot be understated. This photojournalist was greatly touched by the impromptu thanks offered to him from the stage for the time and energy spent in documenting their fine achievements in words and images.
Below is a list of winners of the awards from each of the teams.
Award winners except for Senior Trophy winners listed in photo caption above.
For an album of photos showing all the award winners, CLICK HERE:
