The 2022 Gold Key Awards and Wildcat Booster Club Scholarships were received by Whitman’s exceptional athletes recently with the addition of the 12th Annual Athletic Hall of Fame Induction at the Fox Hollow. 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.

Congratulations to all of Whitman’s award recipients:

Gold Key Award Recipients

Gianna Conte - Volleyball, Basketball, Lacrosse
University of Delaware/ Pre-Med

Allen (AJ) Evans Ill - Football, Basketball, Track & Field
Utica University/ Physical Therapy

Jack Fallon - Track & Field
Miami University/ Middle Childhood Education

Ryan Hansen - Cross Country, Track & Field
Ohio State University/ Biology

Alyssa Katwala - Cross Country, Track & Field

Carly McEntee - Gymnastics, Cheerleading, Track & Field
University of Wisconsin/ Real Estate & Urban Development

Liam Murphy - Volleyball, Basketball, Baseball
West Virginia University/ Cyber Security

Michael Phillips - Football, Basketball, Baseball
University of Delaware/ Engineering

Kevin Rankel - Soccer, Badminton
Notre Dame University/ Finance

Daniel Schlansky - Baseball, Basketball, Volleyball
Binghamton University/ History

Christopher Silverio - Football, Basketball, Track & Field
Wilkes University/ Sports Science 

Mia Stampfel - Volleyball, Basketball, Lacrosse
University of Georgia/ Mathematics

Andres Valencia-Castaneda - Soccer, Co-ed Wrestling, Track & Field
Binghamton University/ Biochemistry, Pre-Med 

Ashli Wuss - Soccer, Track & Field
Ferrum College/ Social Work

Maroon and White Scholarships

Judith Anest - Girls Volleyball, Girls Badminton, Girls Flag Football
SUNY Cortland I Exercise Science

Ryan Caldwell - Lacrosse
West Virginia University/ Political Science

Owen Connolly - Golf, Lacrosse
US Naval Academy/ Economics
Joseph Gervasio - Football, Wrestling, Track & Field
SUNY Cortland/ Exercise Science

Matthew Hansen - Baseball, Swimming
SUNY Maritime/ Marine Technology

Victoria lsernia - Softball, Volleyball
Boston College I Biology, Pre-Med

Carly McEntee - Gymnastics, Cheerleading, Track & Field
University of Wisconsin/ Real Estate & Urban Development

Daniel McGowan - Football, Unified Basketball
Catholic University of America/ Business

Charlotte O'Hara - Field Hockey, Lacrosse
James Madison University/ Elementary Education

Grady O'Laughlin - Wrestling
SUNY Oswego/ Finance

Ethan Shapiro - Bowling, Tennis
Babson College I Entrepreneurship

Dylan Symons - Lacrosse
University of Albany/ Business Administration

Athletic Director’s Award of Excellence

This award selected by the Athletic director is 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 program they represent. This year's Athletic Director's Award recipients are:

Mia Stampfel - Volleyball, Basketball, Lacrosse
University of Georgia I Mathematics

Jack Fallon - Track & Field
Miami University / Middle Childhood Education

Principal’s Athletic 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 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 goal. This year's Principal's Award recipient is:

Logan Elmore - Football
Utica University / Special Education

Presidential Gold Key Awards

This student athlete is both a recipient of the Section XI Gold Key Award and the Wildcat Booster Club Presidential Scholarship Award selected by the Booster Club President and provided to an athlete who demonstrates leadership, determination, commitment and character on and off the field. The recipients receive a $750.00 Scholarship

Allen (AJ) Evans lll
Football, Basketball, Track & Field Utica University/ Physical Therapy

Michael Phillips
Football, Basketball, and Baseball University of Delaware/ Engineering

Laura DelColle Service Award

In honor of Booster Club board member Laura DelColle the Service Award is presented to two students who have dedicated time in service to the Booster Club. They assist in events, managing concessions or helping to raise funds for the club. They demonstrate the care and service as in the heart of the awards namesake.

Michael Emanuele - Baseball, Volleyball
John Jay College/ Criminal Justice

Marissa Emanuele - Field Hockey, Lacrosse
Iona College/ Childhood Education

Vin Altebrando Humanitarian Award

In honor of Coach Vincent Altebrando, this award is issued to one male and /or one female senior student. 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 through participation in youth programs. Demonstrating quality of character on and off the field while maintaining academic requirements.

Kristina Lineen - Volleyball, Softball
Binghamton University/ Undeclared

Luke Avolese Football Scholarship

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 monies raised at the Two Brothers Memorial Golf Outing held in honor of Luke Avolese and Matthew Giannuzzi.

Luke Kanavos - SUNY Cortland/ Undeclared

Allen (AJ) Evans Ill - Utica University/ Physical Therapy

Luke Avolese Basketball Scholarship

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 monies raised at the Two Brothers Memorial Golf Outing held in honor of Luke Avolese and Matthew Giannuzzi.

Christopher Davis - Molloy College / Undeclared
Michael Phillips - University of Delaware/ Engineering

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 and met community service requirements and will be pursuing higher education after graduation. Recipients receive a $1000.00 Scholarship Award

Ryan Gannon - 2016 SHYLAX Alumni
Arcadia University/ Engineering

Ashley Magee - 2016 SHYLAX Alumni
Long Island University/ Forensic Science

HBC Soccer Award

Kevin Rankel - Soccer, Badminton
Notre Dame University/ Finance

Ashli Wuss - Soccer, Track & Field
Ferrum College/ Social Work

2022 Hall of Fame Inductees

John Joyce - Class of 1958
John was President of the Walt Whitman High School Class of 1958. During his time at Whitman he lettered in three sports. He was the Football Quarterback for the 1956 and 1957 seasons, Varsity Basketball player and a three year Varsity Track Athlete. 1958 Suffolk County and NYS High Jump Champion 1958 Walt Whitman HS "Best Athlete" Cup Award 1958 2nd Place Suffolk County Athlete of The Year

David Loehle - Class of 1975
David was part of the Class of '75. During his time at Whitman he was a Varsity Basketball player and part of the 1973 Section XI Championship Team. He is also part of the infamous 1974 Whitman Football Team, the first team to bring the Rutgers Cup to Whitman. 1973 All League Football Running Back. 1974 All Conference Running Back. 1974 2nd Team All Long Island Running Back. 1974 Newsday All Star Team Running back (1000 rushing yards) 1974 Rutgers Cup Champion

Debbie Tripaldi - Class of 1987
Debbie was part of the Class of '87. During her time at Whitman she was a three year Varsity
Soccer Goalie with an impressive team record of 49-4-4 including 24 shutouts and 522 saves. She holds the all-time Whitman records for goalkeeping with a .947 goals against average per game. 3 Time All County Winner. 2 Time All Long Island and All NYS Winner.

Art Mitchell - Walt Whitman Coach
Art was a Physical Education Teacher and Coach for 33 years in South Huntington. He began at Stimson Middle School before joining the Whitman Team in the '80s. His never ending enthusiasm was an inspiration to thousands of athletes that he had the opportunity to work with over the years. He introduced Whitman to the Girls Cross Country and Track Team programs which did not exist before his arrival. Art was more than just a coach, he was a mentor, confidant, and positive role model for all his students and athletes, who affectionately called him "Mr. Mitch".

Phil Tully - Class of 2006
Phil was part of the Class of '06. During his time at Whitman he was a member of the Varsity Volleyball team. In 2003, as a rookie he led the team to the Suffolk County finals and as the team Captain in 2004 to the League Championship and Semi-Finals in 2005. 2003 Rookie of The Year. 3 Time All Division & All League Winner. 3 Time All County & All Tournament Winner 2005 All County Academic Elite Award.

Alfonso Hernandez - Class of 1994
Al was part of the Class of '94 and four year Varsity Football Quarterback. He was Varsity Lacrosse Defensemen and member of the Silver Medalist Long Island Empire State Team and Whitman's Co-Captain in his Senior year. 1994 All League Winner. 1994 All County Winner. 1994 Lt. Ray Enners Award Recipient All-American.

Photo Gallery

Booster Club 2022 Hall of Fame Inductee, Dave Loehle, with his 1974 WWHS Football teammates.

Kristina Lineen was awarded the Vin Altebrando Humanitarian award in honor of Coach Vincent Altebrando. This award is issued to one male and /or one female senior student who exemplify humanitarian qualities.

Whitman's coaches enjoyed the evening in celebration of their athletes.

New Wildcat Booster Club Inductee and Class of 2006 graduate, Phil Tully, with his proud father.

Gianna Conte, the first Gold Key Award recipient of the evening, with Walt Whitman High School Principal, Mr. Ken Costa.

2022 Wildcat Booster Club Hall of Fame Inductee and Class of 1994 Varsity Football Quarterback, Al Hernandez, with his loving wife.

The Wildcat Booster Club is a 100% volunteer organization dedicated to supporting our athletic program. Thank you to the members of the Wildcat Booster Club for all that you do!