Student Athletes Receive Props For Excellence

Excellence means not only athletic prowess and academic achievement, but giving back to the Riverhead community.

That's the mantra behind a new award created by the McGann-Mercy Booster Club, the MMHS Booster Club Student/Athlete Award, which recognizes students who have soared in all three areas.

McGann-Mercy seniors Sasa Vann, of Mastic Beach, and John Marano of Hampton Bays were the first-ever recipients of the honor, for the month of February 2012.

Both students excel in track, breaking and setting school records. Vann was  honored this winter as  All-League, All County, and All Long Island for her athletic accomplishments -- while still achieving academically and volunteering at an area senior center.

Marano, captain of the 2011-2012 boys' winter track team, was named All-League for the long jump. When not excelling in school, the teen also volunteers for Maureen's Haven, a homeless program, as well as playing guitar and singing for the Assembly of God Church and residents and patients at Peconic Bay Medical Center.