A new Homecoming Week tradition was launched Oct. 30 when nine Varsity Football players each surprised a teacher who they felt had a positive, long-lasting impact on them during their Minisink Valley academic and athletic careers.
Called “Made an Impact,” the recognition program is varied and sentimental, because players chose a fond memory ranging from their early elementary days to the newest experiences as a senior when explaining why they selected the teachers.
"Our coaching staff are all Minisink graduates and we all have had a teacher, or in most cases multiple teachers, who had an impact on our lives." said Varsity Head Coach Kevin Gallagher. "We talk about this often and know our players feel similarly. It was important to join a growing movement where our senior players could take a special moment and let the teacher or administrator who was so impactful on their lives know that they matter and will always matter. Our guys really took this to heart and were excited to do it. Our conversations with them were a wonderful reminder about the positive power of a person's impact on someone else. We don't always realize it. We don't always let people know. This is a way for our football program to do this and it's now our newest tradition."
Assistant Coach Andrew Fenner added: “As a program, we want our players to take time and reflect on their experiences as a student-athlete, and recognize that football was more than just a game. Their experiences in Minisink Valley required much support from the faculty and staff to get them to where they are today.”
On Oct. 30, each student and a coach surprised the honored teacher with an unexpected visit to his/her classroom. Students presented each teacher with a special “Made an Impact” Minisink Valley Football shirt with the student-athlete’s last name and number on the back as they told their selected teacher the reason why they were visiting and why each was so memorable.
Students and their selected faculty honorees are:
High School
Tackle/Defensive End Patrick Cherry: Larry Scarzfava
“Although it has only been under two months into the school year, Mr. Scarzfava has helped shape me into a better person,” he wrote. “The other week we wrote college essays and he came up to me personally to deliver that my writing abilities are extraordinary and that I should continue to write, which I probably will not. However, he is a very comedic addition to my school career and being in his class every day is a highlight. There are always bees in the class so we joke around that I am carrying a honey packet around so I brought in honey to hand to him one day and we all laughed.”
Tight End/Defensive End Dominic Marasco: Fran Williams
“The reason that I chose Mrs. Williams as my teacher is because without her, I would be lost in high school,” he wrote. “When I came into high school as a freshman, she welcomed me with open arms. I have had her for four years now. I am a senior on the right track because of her caring and helpfulness. Thank you so much.”
Wide receiver/Corner Joseph Sullivan: Martin Greco
“My best friend passed away a couple months ago,” he wrote. “I didn’t want to go to school the next day because I knew how difficult the day without him would be. Mr. Greco really helped lift my spirits even at such a hard time in my life. He helped get me through the day by just making it a little brighter and for that I thank him very much.”
Middle School
Wide Receiver/Corner Charlie Olsen: Nicole Lee
“I decided to choose Mrs. Lee for the ‘Make an Impact’ award because she is a teacher who I will never forget,” he wrote. “I was never a fan of science but having her as my sixth-grade science teacher made me actually enjoy being in class. Mrs. Lee is a very good teacher and she is special to all of her students. She is a teacher who I will always remember for teaching me to be brave and always have a smile on my face.”
Intermediate School
Center/Linebacker Michael Hughson: Jennifer Kemmerer
“This class was, by far, my favorite class ever,” he wrote. “Mrs. Kemmerer, you had a special way of teaching students to make it easy and fun to learn. I made many great friends in this class and am proud to say I’m still friends with these kids. I made a lot of great projects in your class that I will always be proud of. I always loved the class trips we would go on when we went outside and looked at different trees and insects. Mrs. Kemmerer, you taught me many great lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I would like to say thank you for the impact you made on my life.”
Otisville Elementary
Guard/Defensive Tackle Kevin Crowe-Bailey: Erica Alders
“Mrs. Alders went out of her way everyday just to make sure everyone was having a good day,” he wrote. “She always had a good attitude. She’s an amazing teacher. Also, she made sure that everyone learned something every day.”
Guard/Defensive Tackle Keith Henry: Mary Bannon
“Mrs. Bannon always made sure that her class was interesting,” he wrote. “She always made sure that if you needed help, she was there to help. She also always made sure everyone was behaving and doing the right thing. You could never be in a bad mood in her class because she made everything fun.”
Tackle/Defensive End Nate Tormey: Kelly Bernice
“Ms. Bernice really made an impact on my time at Minisink Valley," he wrote. “I remember going to her class looking forward to it. She always made class fun and memorable. She also was always there if I was having a bad day or if I just needed someone to talk to.”
Elementary School
Wide Receiver/Safety Jake Luciano: Marjori Bobish
“Mrs. Bobish was the first teacher I had in Minisink Valley,” he wrote. “I was even lucky enough to have her for two years in the looping program which kept me in Kindergarten and first-grade! Mrs. Bobish was always nudging me and pushing me in the right direction. She also helped me realize I can overcome anything if I just put my mind to it. Mrs. Bobish knew I was an extremely picky eater, and I still am, but she would always pry until I would try new foods, we would bake every Wednesday. Mrs. Bobish did everything for me I could’ve ever asked for in a teacher and was one of my biggest supporters. No other teacher comes close to the impact she left on me.”
“This is a wonderful recognition program and reaffirms the important bond that students need and have with their teachers,” added Athletic Director Tim Bult. “It’s probably true that we don’t always know the positive impact we can have on others, but this gives our senior football student-athletes an opportunity to let their teachers know. And hopefully the shirts they now have will always be a special reminder of that.”