The PCA Blog - New England

Spotlight: 15 Exceptional High School Student-Athletes

01.17.2018

Positive Coaching Alliance-New England is proud to announce that 15 high school student-athletes from around New England are Finalists in its Triple-Impact Competitor® Scholarship Award program. This program rewards ethical high school athletes who strive to make themselves, their teammates, and the game better. Each of these exceptional young people was selected from the more than 1,500 high school student-athletes nationwide who completed applications consisting of essays and at least three recommendations, from coaches, school administrators, and individuals familiar with them as embodying Triple-Impact Competitor principles.

One of the great life lessons in sports is that “what gets rewarded gets repeated.” To encourage young athletes to improve themselves, their teammates, and the game, PCA-NE is celebrating the Finalists through a combination of events, awards, mentoring, and sharing their stories throughout the 2017-18 academic year. On January 6th, PCA-NE celebrated the Finalists during the Harvard/Dartmouth Men’s Basketball game at Lavietes Pavilion. The Finalists were honored mid-game and, wearing PCA “Respect Your Rival” t-shirts, had the opportunity to meet PCA National Advisory Board Member and Harvard Coach Tommy Amaker.


PCA-New England shines a spotlight on each of the fifteen here:

Dax Billingsley


Dax Billingsley
, a senior who has played football, swimming, baseball, and golf at Lynn English HS in Lynn, Massachusetts, has demonstrated that he is the kind of athlete who puts team above self, and knows not only how to compete but also how to laugh, smile, and keep it all in perspective. Dax’s positive attitude combined with his commitment to community service makes PCA proud to recognize Dax as a Triple-Impact Competitor.

Antonio Carlisle


Antonio Carlisle,
a senior who has played football, basketball, and track and field at St. Johnsbury Academy in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, appreciates how the love of a game like basketball brings a community together regardless of race, gender, social status, or age impressed all of us at PCA. Antonio is a role model for other young athletes; his coaches describe him as “all in,” composed under pressure, a positive mentor, and motivated to help others excel. Antonio is an exemplary Triple-Impact Competitor.

Alvin Chhim


Alvin Chhim
, a senior who has played football, basketball, and track and field at Lynn Classical in Lynn, Massachusetts, impressed PCA with his commitment to turning negative situations into positive ones, his heart, and his appreciation of how sports have helped shape him into the person he is today. Alvin is a leader with a positive mindset, appreciated on the playing field and in the classroom by his teammates, classmates, coaches, and teachers. He is a person of high character and a Triple-Impact Competitor.

Mackenzie Curtice

Mackenzie Curtice, a senior who has played field hockey, hockey, and lacrosse at Barnstable High School in Barnstable, Massachusetts, has proven that she is committed, dedicated, poised, the consummate captain, and one of the finest athletes a coach could have. Mackenzie is recognized for her ability to build up her teammates, and make them better. Known for saying ‘we got this,’ Mackenzie has the ability to make her teammates believe in themselves. She understands how to compete and maintain the highest level of sportsmanship as a true Triple-Impact Competitor.

Danyelle Engels

Danyelle Engels, a senior track and field athlete and cheerleader at Westbrook High School in Westbrook, Connecticut, is appreciated by many for her work rate, effort, and leadership in track and field with both a quiet demeanor and a warrior-like approach, building up her teammates, and congratulating them, even when they place ahead of her. Relishing competition, Danyelle competes with passion and respect for her teammates, opponents, and the sport. Danyelle embodies the ethos of a Triple-Impact Competitor.

Morgan Foley


Morgan Foley
, a senior who has played volleyball, basketball, and lacrosse at Hopedale High School in Hopedale, Massachusetts, strives to make herself better by staying after practice and working on her skills “in the dark,” seeking feedback, learning from her mistakes, and remaining humble while leading others to be their best selves. Positive, patient, kind, unselfish, and kind, Morgan is described as a “rare breed” for her consistent hard work, leadership, cheerleading, and team play. Morgan exemplifies a Triple-Impact Competitor.

Stephen Foster


Stephen Foster,
a senior who has played baseball, basketball, golf at Foxborough High School in Foxborough, Massachusetts, is the kind of athlete and leader who gives his best effort all of the time and is the first to lend a hand when someone else is struggling. Positive with a growth mindset, Stephen is committed to developing his own fitness and is the only two-time winner of his high school’s Wellness Student of the Year. Stephen is a person of integrity, polite, respectful, and a Triple-Impact Competitor.

Ashley Goldstein


Ashley Goldstein,
a senior who has played basketball and softball at Waterford High School in Waterford, Connecticut, is tireless, caring, empathetic, and ultimately, sincerely respectful of her teammates. Described by one of her coaches as the “total package,” Ashley is the kind of coachable athlete who picks her teammates up with encouragement and a genuine “Hey, we’ve got this.” Ashley’s outstanding work ethic, integrity, and resilience establish her as a genuine Triple-Impact Competitor.

Morgan Griffin


Morgan Griffin,
a senior who has played soccer and track & field at Noble High School in Berwick, Maine, understands that sportsmanship is a springboard to life lessons. Morgan not only works tirelessly to develop herself, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership of younger athletes, mentoring them as to how to work and what they had to do to be the best. Described by her coaches as a “class act,” she is an excellent example of a Triple-Impact Competitor.

Travis Grosse


Travis Grosse
, a senior who has played baseball, basketball, and soccer at Danville High School in Danville, Vermont, is a three-sport captain and “servant leader” who puts the team before himself and understands the importance of communication, mentoring, and respecting teammates and opponents. Elevating himself and those around him, Travis has demonstrated that he is a team player committed to empowering others. Steady, honest, positive, articulate, and caring, Travis is truly a Triple-Impact Competitor.

Molly MacFarland


Molly MacFarland
, a senior who has played soccer, basketball, lacrosse, and track & field at Sandwich High School in Sandwich, Massachusetts, is the “kind of athlete every coach hopes for.” Molly has the mindset that “every day is a chance to improve” herself and is committed to making those around her better, inspiring them with positive “I will” messages to instill confidence. Molly honors the game by giving back; she coaches, referees, assists in adaptive sports, and engages in fundraising through sports. A leader with poise, determination, and care, Molly has demonstrated a love and respect for the game that makes her a real Triple-Impact Competitor.

Donnarie Noble


Donnarie Noble
, a senior who has played volleyball, basketball, and track & field at Achievement First High School in Hartford, Connecticut, combines her desire ‘to be the best she can be at all times’ with enthusiasm and effort that inspires not only her teammates but also the praise of opposing coaches. Her calm, steadfast presence leads her teams to success, and she is known for her ability to boost her teammates’ confidence in themselves. Donnarie is unafraid to share her goals, and has developed a mindset that enables her to look beyond her own scoreboard performance to the joy of the game making her a Triple-Impact Competitor.

Danielle Panico


Danielle Panico
, a senior who has played basketball, cross country, and track & field at Abington High School in Abington, Massachusetts, has been described as a “coach’s dream” for her commitment to bettering herself, her teammates, and the game. A passionate, positive, competitor, Danielle has led her teams on and off the field of competition. A member of her school’s Unified Sports, Danielle has demonstrated compassion and caring for others. Danielle is a Triple-Impact Competitor in every sense.

Jennifer Rennich


Jennifer Rennich
, a senior who has played soccer, basketball, and track & field at Bedford High School in Bedford, Massachusetts, consistently shows her respect and love of the game. When confronted with adversity, Jennifer responded with positivity and leadership. She has a thirst to improve herself and a contagious passion. Described as possessing a fierce commitment, Jennifer’s leadership and guidance gives strength to her teammates. Jennifer is truly a Triple-Impact Competitor

Jonathan Wilson

Jonathan Wilson, a senior who has played soccer, basketball, and baseball at Thomaston High School in Thomaston, Connecticut, understands the importance of hard work, positive leadership, and willingness to learn. He is committed to helping teammates believe in themselves, and knows that every player needs to put mistakes behind them and focus on the ‘next play.’   Inclusive, respectful, passionate, and friendly, Jonathan’s advice is powerful. He says: “the extra ten minutes you spend doing push-ups instead of playing video games makes a difference.” Jonathan is a genuine Triple-Impact Competitor.

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FUN was the order of the day Saturday, January 6th when eight of PCA’s fifteen Triple-Impact Competitor honorees juggled games, practices, and homework, ignored the -15° temperature, and traveled to Harvard for a celebration.

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