32 talented student-athletes were recognized at Bethel Park’s 16th Annual College-Bound Student Athlete Reception.
The student-athletes were welcomed by Athletic Director Mrs. Laura Grimm and followed by a message from Assistant Principal Mrs. Nicola Hipkins.
“This was our 16th Annual College-Bound Student-Athlete Reception that was originally started by Bethel Park’s former Athletic Director Amy Scheuneman. It was then continued on by Mr. Daniel Sloan, who had been the Bethel Park AD up until 2023,” explained Assistant Athletic Director Mr. Tom Howell. “Furthermore, Mrs. Laura Grimm has carried it forward to this year as well! The point of the event is to highlight and celebrate our student-athletes who have made their decisions to continue their academic and athletic careers at the next level! We typically have three signing days per year for our student-athletes to celebrate where they will be committing to. The College-Bound Student-Athlete Reception is an event where we include all of our student-athletes, coaches, and administrators to celebrate all of the hard work and dedication that the kids have put in to make it all possible!”
The following student-athletes are recognized:
- Freya Blatz (Women’s Soccer, University of Akron)
- Jack Bruckner (Football, Carnegie Mellon University)
- Audrey Campbell (Softball, Penn State University – Behrend)
- Alyssa Celletti (Dance, University of Louisville)
- Nathan Disori (Men’s Lacrosse, Marietta College)
- Cally Edner (Women’s Swimming, Indiana University of Pennsylvania)
- Giani Esposito (Golf, Westminster College)
- Abby Farrell (Cheer, University of Pittsburgh – Johnstown)
- Grace Ferency (Women’s Soccer, Duquesne University)
- Jackson Friday (Men’s Soccer/Men’s Track & Field, Westminster College)
- Michael Gibson (Wrestling, Seton Hill University)
- Keaira Griffiths (Women’s Track & Field, Point Park University)
- Addison Gurganus (Swimming, Indiana University of Pennsylvania)
- Ethan Higgins (Wrestling, Seton Hill University)
- Noah LeJeune (Baseball, Seton Hill University)
- Keira Mehalko (Women’s Soccer, Mercyhurst University)
- Chela Miller (Cheer, Long Island University)
- Seth Miller (Wrestling, Ohio Northern University)
- Ja’Vaughn Moore (Football, Robert Morris)
- Clancy Orie (Football, United States Naval Academy)
- Sadie Orie (Women’s Basketball, Worcester Polytechnic Institute)
- Jaden Palombine (Wrestling, King University)
- Dylan Paul (Baseball, Gannon University)
- Ryan Petras (Football, Duquesne University)
- Tanner Pfeuffer (Football, Frostburg State University)
- Trent Powell (Swimming, Indiana University of Pennsylvania)
- Ella Sabatos (Women’s Basketball, Frostburg State University)
- Dylan Schumacher (Baseball, Indiana University of Pennsylvania)
- Aden Stout (Wrestling, Seton Hill University)
- Ryan Walsh (Baseball, Virginia Tech University)
- Owen White (Baseball, Allegheny College)
- Allison Wolling (Women’s Golf, Waynesburg University)
At the end of the recognition, four BPHS alumni hosted a Q&A panel session called “Success as a Collegiate Athlete,” where students could ask questions about being a college student-athlete. These four alumni included Tommy DiRienzo and Nathaniel Neal ‘20 and Lily Gaston and Sandra Soltes ‘22.
When asked how his reception fits into the overall vision and goals of Bethel Park’s athletic program, Mr. Howell said: “We believe that one of the main visions of our Athletic Department is to help raise our students into not only well-rounded student-athletes, but well-rounded men and women as well! With the help of our wonderful coaches at Bethel Park, we believe we are doing just that. The countless hours of work that our coaches put in on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis is truly invaluable. We are happy to see our student-athletes grow under such phenomenal and professional leadership through our coaches. We have also aimed one of our visions to highlight our student-athletes and get them the recognition that they deserve. Athletics is a huge part of the Bethel Park community, and we want everybody to know about it when one of our own accomplishes something great! An event like this past Wednesday shows just that, and we will continue to show off our student-athletes to the entirety of Western Pennsylvania and all of the world for their accomplishments in and out of the classroom. We want our student-athletes to feel seen!”
Congratulations to all!
