Block N Award Recognitions | 2025

Each year, the Block N award ceremony celebrates a tradition of excellence throughout NFA’s scholar-athlete program. Athletes are recognized in two specific categories, highlighting their athletic abilities and, more importantly, their character and leadership abilities on and off their respective playing fields. 

Hosted by NFA Booster Clubs, in collaboration with our Athletics Department, and hosted by NFA alumnus, Matt Lawrence, we are thankful to the parents and coaches who contribute to putting this celebratory night together for our student athletes. Mr. Charlie Rapelje has led this initiative for several decades, taking great care to recognize the legacy of our athletic program with our student-athletes and their families. 

PHOTOS | Block N Award Recognitions | 2025

FALL GOLDBACK AWARD

The 2025 Goldback Award is given to a handful of senior-athletes who have displayed tremendous pride for our program and exhibited the "Goldback Standard." These young senior-athletes are the ultimate team players who made everyone around them better players and people. 

FALL GOLDBACK AWARD
CHEERLEADING | TAYLOR COSTAIN

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY | DEVIN BATELIC

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY | MARYJANE POLITI

FOOTBALL  | LIAM EHLERS

BOYS SOCCER  | LAWRENCE ROBINSON

GIRLS SOCCER  | MADISON FOTI

GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING  | ELLE GERBES

GIRLS TENNIS  | CORA KERIN

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL | MCKAYLA RAFFERTY

WINTER GOLDBACK AWARD

BOYS BASKETBALL |  LEGEND JONES

GIRLS BASKETBALL | LINDSAY DANDO

BOYS BOWLING | ANDRE ALEXANDER

GIRLS BOWLING (No seniors this year)

UNIFIED BOWLING | DOMINIC PULEO

WINTER CHEERLEADING | ALEXIA CHRISTOFORIDIS

BOYS INDOOR TRACK & FIELD | DEVIN BATELIC

GIRLS INDOOR TRACK & FIELD | JASLENE CHEATMAN

BOYS SWIMMING & DIVING | JOHN MUMMERY

WRESTLING | CHRISTOPHER LEGGETT

 

SPRING GOLDBACK AWARD

BASEBALL | CHASE ROUNDS

UNIFIED BASKETBALL | JOE DORSEY

BOYS CREW | AKHIIR MCNEIL

GIRLS CREW | CHARLOTTE PERRY

FLAG FOOTBALL | LINDSAY DANDO

BOYS GOLF | JONATHAN ROE

GIRLS GOLF | CORA KERIN

BOYS LACROSSE | COLE MULLARKEY

GIRLS LACROSSE | MADISON FOTI

SOFTBALL | MELISSA SCHULZE

BOYS TENNIS | ALEXANDER CESTARO

BOYS SPRING TRACK & FIELD | JOEY LOPEZ

GIRLS SPRING TRACK & FIELD | CRYSTAL BEAUFORD

The 2025 Sportsmanship Award is given to a group of senior-athletes that have been a positive influence on our program by providing tremendous leadership skills and displaying respect and passion for the game. These young senior-athletes have earned the utmost respect of officials, coaches, and peers alike. 

FALL SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
CHEERLEADING | JILLIAN MCKENNA

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY | BRADY DANYLUK

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY | JULIA COYLE

FOOTBALL | ANTHONY WESTON

BOYS SOCCER | NICHOLAS THOMAZ

GIRLS SOCCER | TAYLOR MORRILL

GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING | ALLISON VAN DALINDA

GIRLS TENNIS | ZARA TRANQUADA

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL | MCKAYLA RAFFERTY

WINTER SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

BOYS BASKETBALL | ETHAN TYSON

GIRLS BASKETBALL | CORA KERIN

BOYS BOWLING | NIKOLAS BUCHHOLZ

UNIFIED BOWLING | HANNAH WALSH

WINTER CHEERLEADING | ANNAYA HARRIS-LINO

BOYS INDOOR TRACK & FIELD | BRADY DANYLUK

GIRLS INDOOR TRACK & FIELD | SAVANNAH SMITH

BOYS SWIMMING & DIVING | PEYTON TUTTLE

WRESTLING | COOPER MERLI

SPRING SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

BASEBALL | LOGAN VOLTAIRE, DONALD (DJ) CLIFFORD

UNIFIED BASKETBALL | BRANDON AVILES

BOYS CREW | MICHAEL CLARKE

GIRLS CREW | SIDNEY HOPE

FLAG FOOTBALL | LINDSAY DANDO

BOYS GOLF | CARTER BABBAGE

GIRLS GOLF | JULIA COYLE

BOYS LACROSSE | NICHOLAS BUCHHOLZ

GIRLS LACROSSE | EMILY LEONARD

SOFTBALL | MELISSA SCHULZE

BOYS TENNIS | JACKSON BARKI

BOYS SPRING TRACK & FIELD | MILES DAVIS

GIRLS SPRING TRACK & FIELD | DA'MONA GRANT

Scholarship Award Winners 2025

Woody and Margaret Prokosch Scholarships

The Woody Prokosch (Newburgh Free Academy Class of 1938) and Margaret Prokosch (Newburgh Free Academy Class of 1947) swimming awards are in memory of Woody Prokosch. Mr. Prokosch was one of Newburgh's greatest long-distance swimmers and won many trophies and medals during his career for the Goldbacks. The recipients of these awards have displayed outstanding dedication and commitment to the swimming program at Newburgh Free Academy. WINNERS: JACK MUMMERY & ELLE GERBES

Jason M. Coffey Memorial Scholarship

The Jason M. Coffey Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a male swimmer or diver on the Newburgh Free Academy team. Jason earned six varsity letters in swimming and had the highest team grade point average while taking honors and AP courses. Jason and his father were in the Marsh & McLennan offices in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

The recipient of this scholarship is the senior student-athlete with the highest grade point average on the team at Newburgh Free Academy.
WINNER: Peyton Tuttle

Ralph Petrillo Sr. Memorial Scholarships

This scholarship was established to provide on a yearly basis an award that would parallel the career of Ralph Petrillo Sr. and his ideas. This scholarship is presented to a senior who has displayed an exemplary work ethic both academically and athletically. Community involvement, extracurricular activities and other achievements are important factors in determining the scholarship recipient.
WINNER: Cora Kerin & Christopher Leggett

The Fly High Jett Diaz Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship will be awarded to a senior baseball player who truly embodies Jett Diaz's qualities of courage, character, and a deep love for the game of baseball. This is a senior who when faced with challenges both on and off the field meets them with an unwavering determination and resilience, never backing down in the face of adversity. This senior has a selfless attitude, inspiring his teammates to work together, push their limits, and always strive for excellence. His passion for baseball is evident not just in his performance, but in his respect for the sport, his commitment to play with courage, strength and grit to continue to improve, all while encouraging others to maintain a positive attitude. We hope you continue to live your life in Jett's honor and legacy that is admired by so many who loved him.
WINNER: LOGAN VOLTAIRE

Special Athletic Award Winners 2025

THE CHRIS TOWNSEND "GOLDBACK STANDARD" AWARD

This award recognizes one varsity team for their accomplishments and exemplary representation of our athletic department, district and community both in the classroom and in the field of competition.
WINNER: BOYS AND GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

DANNY "BUTTERFLY" WASHINGTON GOLDBACK MANAGER AWARD

The Danny "Butterfly" Washington Goldback Manager award is given in memory of NFA's most loyal fan who passed away on November 20, 2011.

(Note: This award is given to a student manager of a team.)
WINNER: NORMAN HENRY

THE STANTON HEMINGWAY MEMORIAL AWARD

This award is presented to the male or female who in the opinion of the coaches is most coachable. He or she plans to pursue a career in physical education, athletic training or related fields.
WINNER: JOHN MUMMERY

THE D. EDWARD FITZGERALD MEMORIAL AWARDS (Academic Awards)

These awards are given in the name of the N.F.A Class of 1920. The winners of these awards are selected by the coaching staff. Their selection is based on the female and male's scholastic and athletic records.
MALE WINNER: BRADY DANYLUK
FEMALE WINNER: CORA KERIN

THE DIANE HUGHES SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

Sportsmanship is the essence of a player's attitude toward himself, his school; toward the officials, coaches, opponents and spectators; toward victory and defeat; toward adulation and criticism - in short, those qualities that best represent our District.
WINNER: MARYJANE POLITI

THE LIEUTENANT ARCHIE STONE, JR. LOYALTY AWARD

In choosing the recipient of this honor, tribute is paid to Archie Stone who, "one the fields of friendly strife" at NFA developed the steadfast courage that later distinguished him as an officer in the United States Navy.
WINNER: COOPER MERLI

THE RHEA FLANNERY FLECKENSTEIN AWARD
(In loving memory of Dr. James J. Flannery)

The pursuit of athletic excellence in the face of personally unique challenges is the mark of a true champion. This award is given to that NFA senior female athlete who persevered throughout her athletic career to overcome significant odds, to ultimately distinguish herself among her peers as a tireless competitor, consummate sportswoman and valued teammate. Presented by the brother and teammate of Rhea Ann Flannery, NFA Boys Swimming 1973-1977.
WINNER: ANNAYA HARRIS LINO

THE CHARLIE RAPALJE SERVICE AWARD

This award is given to the female or male student-athlete who has contributed the most to the NECSD student body or Newburgh community in terms of service. The award honors Mr. Charlie Rapalje, whose selfless service to the Newburgh community and athletic department serves as an inspiration to all who know him.
WINNER: ALEXIA CHRISTOFORIDIS

THE CHICK NAPOLITANO NFA SPIRIT AWARDS

In memory of Chick Napolitano, the awards will be given to one boy and one girl who have demonstrated a genuine pride and dedication for the NFA Athletic programs.
MALE WINNER: JAVON MC COY
FEMALE WINNER: MCKAYLA RAFFERTY

THE PETER M. POLITI, SR. MEMORIAL FOOTBALL SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

This award is given to a member of the Varsity football team who, in the opinion of his teammates, most exemplifies good sportsmanship.
WINNER: COLE MULLARKEY

2025 LIONS CLUB WATCH AWARDS

PRESENTED BY: Wally Brunell & Felix Szumloski

The Lions Club of Newburgh awards are the oldest awards dating back to 1927 and among the most prestigious awards to be presented this evening. The criteria for the selection of the recipients of this award is based on athletic ability, sportsmanship, honors earned and class average.

Each of the six recipients will receive a watch donated by the Lions Club of Newburgh from Kavanagh Jewelers.

The 2025 male and female recipients of the Lions Club of Newburgh awards are proudly presented to:

Brady Danyulk

Christopher Leggett

Cooper Merli

Elle Gerbes

McKayla Rafferty

Melissa Schulze

ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!