The 2026 Gold Key Awards and Wildcat Booster Club Scholarships were received by Whitman’s exceptional athletes early this June with the addition of the 16th Annual Athletic Hall of Fame Induction at Walt Whitman High School. The Gold Key Award is the highest honor in Section XI that an athlete can receive for sports participation. Recipients are determined by Section XI rules and are awarded to athletes who letter in eight varsity or junior varsity seasons in grades 10-12 throughout their Walt Whitman High School career.

 

The Wildcat Booster Club awards are recommended by coaches and are not about being the best athlete on the field, they are about recognizing senior student-athletes’ commitment to their sport, their team and their community.

 

Congratulations to all of Walt Whitman’s award recipients!

 

**Photo Gallery** 

 

 

 

2026 GOLD KEY RECIPIENTS

The Gold Key Award is the highest honor that a student-athlete can receive from Section XI.  These athletes have lettered in eight Varsity or Junior Varsity seasons from grades 10 through 12. Section XI selects the recipients. 

loannis Balanos, Alexander Bass, Jordan Churchman, Anthony DePalo, Jose Duarte Menjivar, Julia Fasciano, Harrison Greene, Paige Hiller, Nevyn Jerez, Tatiana Marr, Jordyn Nicholls, Alijah Robinson Allen, Kritz George Taku and Jade Tintera

 

BOOSTER CLUB MAROON AND WHITE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

The Booster Club Awards are recommended by their coaches and selected by the awards committee. These awards are issued to senior student-athletes who are members of the Wildcat Booster Club and have demonstrated the characteristics of a Walt Whitman Wildcat. Booster Club awards are not about being the best athlete on the field, they are about recognizing commitment to their sport, their team, and their community.

Alexander Bass, Kian Bowditch, Nicholas DiLeo, Jonathan Duffy, Jarrell Fernandez, Isabella Galindo, Jillian Kobel, Tatianna Marr, Allison Palacios, Arianna Petkovits, Maria Petkovits, Everett Weiss, and Arianna White

 

PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS

The Wildcat Booster Club Presidential Awards are selected by the Booster Club President and presented to athletes who demonstrate leadership, determination, commitment, and character on and off the field.  

Anthony DePalo and Jade Tintera

 

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AWARDS

These awards are selected by the Athletic Director and are presented to two (2) senior student-athletes who are outstanding representatives of the school and the athletics department. Achieving success in the classroom and in the sports they play.  They embody the tradition of a model student-athlete and display outstanding leadership and commitment within the teams and programs they represent.

Ryan Perillo and Lucy O’Loughlin

 

PRINCIPAL’S AWARD

This award is selected by the Principal of Walt Whitman High School to honor a student-athlete who has faced adversity and demonstrated the will to overcome challenges inspiring and motivating others to do the same. The recipient must possess leadership traits that include but are not limited to a good moral compass, integrity, and empathy.  The recipient treats his/her peers, teachers, and staff with respect by accepting differences and valuing the work that others do. Embracing the responsibility required to maintain progress in schoolwork and other personal goals. 

Alexander Cerna
 

 

ED HENSELDER AWARD

In honor of Walt Whitman Football and Lacrosse coach Ed Henselder, this award is issued to a student-athlete who demonstrates determination and drive while striving to motivate teammates to perform to the best of their ability.  Exhibits the "team" mentality, understanding that achieving outcomes in a team sport is about "team" and always looks to perform in the best interest of the team, and demonstrates the spirit of a true Wildcat Athlete on and off the field. 

 

Coach Henselder was well known by any athlete at Walt Whitman High School.  During his almost three-decade coaching career at Whitman, he was able to share his passion for athletics starting with Varsity Lacrosse where he began coaching with Bob Howell before finding his home as the Assistant JV Football and Lacrosse Coach. 

Jordyn Nicholls

 

VINCE ALTEBRANDO HUMANITARIAN AWARD

In honor of Coach Vincent Altebrand, this award is issued to one Walt Whitman senior student-athlete.  Coaches nominate candidates who exemplify humanitarian qualities.  Mentors and supporters who help bring out the best in others.  Leaders who guide their teammates or give back to their community through participation in youth programs or other activities.  Demonstrating the quality of character on and off the field while maintaining academic requirements.

Andrew Badalamenti

 

TRENDSETTER AWARD

The inaugural “Caldwell Trendsetter Award” is issued to a multi-sport student-athlete who turns obstacles into opportunities despite opposition—an individual who demonstrates unwavering determination in accomplishing their goals.  Exhibits the character and qualities of a true Wildcat, putting 100% all the time for the team, whether they are on the starting line or the sideline.

Maritza Catalan Hernandez

 

SHYLAX ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP

This award is issued by South Huntington Youth Lacrosse to one male and one female senior lacrosse athlete.  The recipients must have participated in the SHYLAX program, met community service requirements, and will be pursuing higher education after graduation.   

Joseph Ferguson

 

LUKE AVOLESE SCHOLARSHIPS

The Luke Avolese Scholarship is issued to two student-athletes selected by the foundation.  Luke was a 4 year Varsity Football and Basketball player at Walt Whitman High School.  The scholarship is funded each year through the monies raised at the Two Brothers Memorial Golf Outing held in honor of Luke Avolese and Matthew Giannuzzi. 

Jack Bell and Jordan Churchman

 

FRANK GUGLIOTTA  MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

In honor of Hall of Fame player and legendary Coach Frank Gugliotta, this scholarship is given to the Boys Varsity basketball player who exemplifies the characteristics of commitment, unselfishness and leadership.  Donations received from the annual Frank Gugliotta Memorial Tournament are used to fund this scholarship, and all senior Boys Basketball players are invited to apply for this prestigious award.  

Joshua Evans

 

TODD RUSSELL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The Todd Russell memorial Scholarship is issued to one student-athlete who participated in Football at Walt Whitman.  Todd was a 4 year member of the Varsity Football Team and All-League football player his senior year. Todd represented Character, Work Ethic and Dedication.

Jayden Flores Nakuzi

 

HBC SOCCER AWARD

This award is issued by HBC Soccer to one male and one female senior soccer athlete.  The recipients must have participated in the HBC Soccer program and played Varsity Soccer at Whitman.

Anthony Canales, Jayden Castro, and Ava Oliveri

 

Thank you…

We want to thank the outside organizations within our South Huntington community. These organizations are where many of our Wildcat Athletes begin. They teach our young athletes about their sport and introduce them to teamwork. Many of these players grow up as a team and regardless of the sport they play, each of these organizations plays a vital role in the foundation of our community. We appreciate the role they play and thank them for all they do in the development of our Wildcats!

 

Thank you to our Hall of Fame Committee, with members spanning from the 1970’s to present, for their work in selecting the Class of 2026 Hall of Fame inductees. Thank you for volunteering your time to ensure we honor the past.

 

Thank you to our coaches, past and present, for all that you do to support our students, teams, and community. When you are a part of a team you are a part of a family, and graduating doesn't end that relationship. Our coaches are always there for our student-athletes and their commitment and dedication are admirable.

 

Thank you to our Wildcat Booster Club President Jim Oliveri, Vice Presidents Dayna Cioffi and Mara Nader, and all board members and families who have joined and volunteered to help make this event possible. 

 

2026 BOOSTER CLUB HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

 

Myron Bell 

Football, Class of 1977

Myron Bell was an All-American, All-State, All-County and All-League Honoree. Myron was described as an elusive, game-breaking running back for the Wildcats and one of the best football players ever from Long Island. He led the 1975 team to the AAA I Tri-League Championships, holds multiple Walt Whitman rushing records, and is renowned for his 4.3/40 speed, power running, and big-play ability. The Class of 1977 football player was signed professionally with the San Francisco 49ers and the Buffalo Bills. His former Walt Whitman teammate accepted Myron’s award on his behalf. 

 

Erik Schneider

Wrestling, Class of 1977

Erik Schneider is a 3 year Varsity Letter winner, 2x All-County, undefeated dual meet record holder, 1976 League 1 Champion (177 lbs), 1977 League 1 Champion (215 lbs), and 1977 County Champion (215 lbs). He won the County Championship on a Major Decision (10-0) and won 2nd Place in the NYS Wrestling Championships (215 lbs) while an athlete at Walt Whitman High School. 

 

2016 Boys Soccer Team

Eduardo Alfaro, Henry Altaro, Blake Aronson, John Boyle, Emanuel Campo, Luis Castro, Robert Cerrito, Fabrizio Chamorro, Jonathan Consolo, Mare DePasquale, Olvin Dominguez, Javier Dubon, Akeem Harris, Kevin Herrera, Witman Hernandez, Michael Lorello, Marion Mahadeo, Johan Renderos, Anthony Palazzolo, Noel Reyes, Austin Salas, Matthew Schindler, Christopher Shea, Inmar Ticas, Sergio Toledo & Sean Zagorski
 

John DiGiacomo - Head Coach
Seth Goldman - Asst. Coach
Alan Heavey - Asst. Coach
Brian Karcz - Asst. Coach
Robert Tedesco - Asst. Coach

 

The 2016 Boys Soccer Team were named the Section XI Class AA Champions, Long Island Class AA Champions, and New York State Class AA Champions, finishing that year with an overall record of 20-1-1

 

The team ranked #1 in NYS by NCCAA, ranked #11 in Nation by NSCAA, scored 82 goals, allowed 20 goals against, and recorded 9 shutouts.

 

Additional accolades included:

NYS PLAYER OF THE YEAR & ALL AMERICAN - Witman Hernandez

ALL REGION - Michael Lorello

ALL STATE - Blake. Aronson

ALL COUNTY - Sean Zagorski

ACADEMIC ALL COUNTY - Austin Salas

ALL LEAGUE - Fabrizio Chamorro and Jonathan Consolo

Large School Coach of the Year - John DiGiacamo

 

 

Admistrators, coaches, student-athletes and their families came together at Walt Whitman High School to recognize this year’s award winners, scholarship recipients, and HOF inductees. 

 

The annual ceremony was a wonderful celebration of Wildcat Pride amongst friends, family, and teammates!