Maroon and White Celebrates Senior Athletes

Iron man awards were given to four year, three season athletes.Though there was no barbeque this year, there was a joyous celebration for outstanding athletes and scholars in the Scarsdale High School Class of 2021 on Monday June 14, 2021. At a ceremony in the SHS auditorium, which is still adorned with plexiglass shields, Maroon and White and the high school athletic department recognized the achievements of seniors who had distinguished themselves during their high school careers

Athletic Director Ray Pappalardi and Assistant Athletic Director Joe DeCrescenzo from the high school, along with Kevin Hooey and Joe Feldman, filling in for David Alin, from Maroon and White presented the awards to the students.

Pappalardi acknowledged it was a difficult year, but was pleased that 58% of Scarsdale High School athletes were able to participate in team sports. He said, “Though we knew it would not be perfect, it was far better than the lost spring season of 2020.

Kevin Hooey thanked Maroon and White members and said that the booster organization is now in its 53 year. Their primary objective is to support Scarsdale student-athletes when certain equipment and team needs go beyond the school budget.

The first awards were given to Raider’s Iron Men -- student athletes who participated in three seasons of high school sports from grades nine through twelve.Football team manager Aaron Zoland received the Timberger Award

Receiving the Iron Man awards were:

Walter Jake Coleman
Hudson Crane
Shan Daniel
Alexa Doyle
Edward Eforo (not pictured)
Alex Friedman
Benjamin Hoexter
Bradley Kauffman
Madelyn Seltzer
Abigail Talish
Michael Waxman

Recognizing students who plan to play a sport in college, Maroon and White called out the following athletes:

Athletes recruited to play on college teams.Charles Berridge will play golf at Berkeley
Jake Coleman will run track at UC San Diego
Shan Daniel will run track at Case Western
Justin DiSanto will swim for Bucknell
Danielle Eforo will swim at Wesleyan
Julian Higgins will play football at Case Western ReserveIron men Ben Hoexter and Bradley Kauffman show off their Raiders sweatshirts.
Joy Jiang will swim at University of Pennsylvania
Brendan Knopp will play football at Franklin and Marshall
Melissa Lass will cheer at Lafayette College
Megan Lee will swim for Amherst
Steven Lee will golf for the University of Pennsylvania
Ben Miller will play football and lacrosse at Bates College
Anya Pabby will swim for NYU
Maddie Seltzer will swim and dive for Princeton
Emily Ann Tsai who will play tennis at Franklin and Marshall
Van Eer Yurami will run track at Union College.

Maddy Seltzer received the Mooney AwardThey moved on to the Timberger Award, named for Elizabeth Timberger who served on the board of Maroon and White and was an enthusiastic rooter on the sideline. She died at young age. This award honors someone who help the team, whether they be a manager or a sports writer. This year, the award was given to Aaron Zoland who managed the Boys Varsity Football Team. Zoland was said to be a person of few words, always calm who was focused on the team’s success and would do whatever he could to make things better for the team.

Joe Feldman presented the Nina Mooney award for Mooney who passed away at the age of 54 in 1991. According to Feldman, she lived a “boisterous, happy, existence,” and had a “perpetually open house on Bradley Road. She was both “fun and feisty, and loved organizing Maroon and White events. “If you knew her you were part of her family.”

The winner of the award, Maddy Seltzer, was called a team player who excelled in her individual role and as a great role model. She was a Civ Ed advisor, won the Con Edison award, and was an all-American swimmer. She graduated with a 3.8 GPA and will attend Princeton.

Kevin Hooey, surrounded by members of the Knopp family, presented the Knopp Award in honor of Mary Knopp who lived in Scarsdale for 20 years. She cheered on four sons from the sidelines and showed unwavering support for athletics as a member of Maroon and White for ten years.Jack Porter with the Knopp Family

The Knopp award is given to a male senior varsity player for dedication, spirit, enthusiasms, concern for others and a positive work ethic.

As it was daunting to select only one athlete, this year, two Knopp awards were given to track star Jack Porter and to Mary Knopp’s grandson and football standout Brendan Knopp.

The Grant Geiger award recognized athletes who are dedicated to their sport and also dedicated to their studies. The award is given to athletes who earned a 3.5 GPA or higher. This year’s awardees are Victoria Wilson and Adam Wasserman.

Ray Pappalardi presented the Athletic Director’s awards, giving the Raider award to Ben Miller for his work ethic, resilience, leadership and being an athlete “anyone would want on their team.” He said that Miller, “refused to lose, never quit and led by example.”

A proud moment for the Knopp family, as Brendan receives the award.Also recognized by the Athletic Department was Scarsdale Tennis Team captain Zoe Tucker, for embracing the role of captain and getting along with everyone.

The Peppers award, named for former SHS Assistant Principal Sue Peppers and her husband Jerry who raised four girls in Scarsdale is given to a male and a female athlete who is a team player with strong academics. This year’s winner was Abigail Talish, who graduates with a 4.1 GPA, is a national merit finalist and a three sport team captain. On the basketball team she was a starter for three years and led the team. She will attend Columbia University.

Michael Waxman, a three season athlete and President of the Scarsdale High School student body took home the Peppers Award as well. He was described as “kind, caring, disciplined, polite and a great kid to have on the team.” With a 4.1 average he is in the honors society and won the Principal’s Award. He will attend Harvard University.Athlete and honor student Abigail Talish with the Peppers Award

Though Maroon and White did not have the chance to honor all the spring athletes this year, they were pleased to be able to hold the ceremony and carry on this SHS tradition.

School President, three season athlete and Harvard bound Michael Waxman won the Peppers Award.

Deb Franco, Kevin Hooey and Kate and Matt Conlan from Maroon and White