The Utica City School District is proud to recognize 69 student-athletes from Proctor High School who have been named recipients of the New York State Public High School Athletic
Association (NYSPHSAA) Scholar-Athlete Award for the Winter 2025-2026 season.

The NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete Team Award Program recognizes varsity teams and individual athletes who demonstrate outstanding achievement in the classroom while competing in
interscholastic athletics. Students must maintain a high academic average while balancing the demands of their sport.

This winter, two Proctor teams earned Scholar-Athlete Team recognition by achieving a team
grade point average of 90 or above:

● Girls Bowling – 94.49
● Boys Bowling – 95.46

In addition to team honors, student-athletes across multiple programs were recognized
individually for their academic performance, representing a wide range of sports and grade levels.“These recognitions reflect the level of commitment our student-athletes bring to everything they
do,” said Superintendent Dr. Christopher Spence. “We are seeing strong academic progress across our district, and achievements like this show how that work is carrying over into every area of the student experience. These students are putting in the work every day, and it shows.” Interim Athletic Director Richard Ambruso emphasized the dedication required to balance
academics and athletics.

“Our student-athletes understand that success in sports starts with discipline in the classroom,” Ambruso said. “Earning Scholar-Athlete recognition is not easy. Balancing school and sports at this
level takes discipline and consistency. We are proud of these Raiders for the way they represent their teams, their school and our district.”

The recognition of 69 student-athletes reflects a continued focus on academic achievement and the systems in place to support student success across the Utica City School District.

Team Winners

Girls Bowling – 94.49

Avery Fitzgerald
Adaphca Fortilus
Raylin Remigio
Isabelle Stevener
Vanessa Thach
Jayla Wiggins

Boys Bowling – 95.46

Bryson Dapre
Gabriel Cobell-Diate
Nico Majka
Philip Restifo
Ian Witonsky

Individual Winners

Boys Hockey
Vincenzo Lapaglia

Boys Swimming
Philip Ansah
Kalvin Le
Jayden Marrero
Saw Nintyone Maung
Kwame Osei
Vadad Salidzik
Carlos Vargas Espinal

Boys Volleyball
Brilliant Blu
Dennis Brutsky
Preston Vo
Eternal Win

Boys Wrestling

Zainulalabeden Challab

Girls Basketball
Amanda Ahmed

Girls Wrestling
Nyalynn Awak
Kim Cu
Mercy Heh
Eh Nee Thaw Htoo
Duong Thuy Nguyen Pham

Girls Volleyball
Erna Kantarevic
Daryna Korniichuk
Sun Shiine

Cheerleading
Ellianna Curley
Alyssa Randall
Natalia Ruiz

Boys Track
Antonio Bridenbecker
Carter Castronovo
Alonzo Fobbs
Carlos Gonzalez-Aponte
Ian Grove
Rylan Jantzi
Lashawn Jasper
Derek Le
Emrah Nadarevic

Keygan Newman

Ervin Racic

Kingston Sweet

Sawyer Sweet

Jason Tran