The New York State Public High School Athletic Association Inc. (NYSPHSAA) announces Elwood/John Glenn High School (Section XI) as the Spring 2024 Community Service Challenge winner. This is the first award for Elwood/John Glenn High School in the 12 years NYSPHSAA has conducted the Community Service Challenge, which partner NYCM Insurance presents.

Seeing the need for more opportunities for classmates with disabilities, Elwood/John Glenn High School students raised $5,000 to expand their district’s Unified Sports programs. With a vision beyond the high school, the goal to add more athletic programming trickled down to the middle and elementary schools in the district with the ‘Blooming Buddies’ program.

“By bringing these programs down to the elementary and middle school levels, we open up opportunities for students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities to connect at an earlier age,” said Elwood/John Glenn rising senior Joey Mammolito. “These connections help break barriers and remove stigmas.  I am happy to see more and more of my teammates and other athletes getting involved each year.”

Mammolito has been credited with much of the work done to strengthen additional programming for students across the Elwood/John Glenn district.

“[Mammolito’s] dedication to the Unified Basketball and Bowling Program is commendable. Joey played a key role in establishing the Blooming Buddies Program and has been active in the Athletes for All program,” said Elwood/John Glenn Athletic Director David Shanahan. “Joey is a young man who certainly has made a difference in the lives of students involved in our Unified Programs.”

This spring, 6,712 student-athletes participated in 181 community service projects. The 51,900 hours served by student-athletes resulted in a value of $438,551 in time served and raised $201,934 in charitable donations.

“NYSPHSAA is proud of the student-athletes who commit to their district Unified Sports opportunities, and Elwood/John Glenn High School is the ultimate example of what can happen when student-athletes chip in,” said NYSPHSAA Executive Director Dr. Robert Zayas. “We are proud to have student-athletes like Mammolito and his classmates representing NYSPHSAA.”