East Bridgewater Highs' Cecelia Cacciatore and Dean Technical's Gary Charlton have been named the MIAA/NESN Student-Athletes of the Month for March.
Cacciatore is a senior at East Bridgewater where she plays field hockey, basketball and tennis, serving as a captain on all three teams. She was a standout in field hockey where she was a three-year starter, being named a South Shore League All-Star twice. She is also a two-year starter on the basketball team and played first doubles on the tennis team for the last three years.
She's even more impressive in the classrom where she's top of her class with a 3.958 GPA, achieving Honor Roll status for all four years. She also spends time giving back to the community in a variety of ways.
"Cecelia is a natural leader," coach and teacher Jamie Hulke said. "Her teammates recognized this quality when they voted her captain of the field hockey and basketball teams her senior year and captain of the tennis team for her junior and senior years. She demonstrates sportsmanship at the highest level and sets a wonderful example for younger players.
Charlton, a senior, saw his efforts both on the field and in the classroom earn him the student-athlete of the month honors on the boys' side for March.
He played football and wrestled for Dean Tech, serving as a captain on the football team and finishing third in the state tournament on the wreslting mat.
In the classroom, Charlton is a four-year Honor Roll student to go along with a perfect attendance record. In addition to excelling in Dean Tech's graphic arts program, he also studies psychology in a dual-enrollment course at Springfield Technical Community College.
Chalrton is also an active member of the community, serving on the Holyoke Youth Commission. He also participated in the Candidate's Forums for City Councilor and Mayor and the Prevent Underage Drinking Campaign, among other programs.
The "Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA)INew England Sports Network (NESN) Student-Athlete of the Month Award" is presented on a monthly basis to one male and one female student-athlete who display excellence in the areas of academics, athletics and community service. Students in grades 9-12 who attend MIAA member schools are eligible to receive the award. Monthly award winners will receive a certificate of recognition and be featured on MIAA.net, NESN.com and NESN. Nominations for the award may be submitted by principals, athletic directors, teachers, coaches, guidance counselors or other school administrators. A complete list of “MIAA/NESN Student-Athlete of the Month Award” recipients and finalists can be found under the “Educational Athletics” and “Leadership” sections at http://www.miaa.net.
