By: Kristen Jadin, NYSPHSAA Assistant Director

Latham, NY- The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) is proud to announce Westlake High School (I) as the Fall 2025 NYSPHSAA Community Service Challenge Winner. The Westlake submission was selected by the NYSPHSAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) from entries across the state for its exceptional community engagement, student leadership, and meaningful charitable impact.

Each September, Westlake High School hosts Spirit Day, a community-wide celebration and fundraiser supporting pediatric cancer research and treatment. This year, 250 student-athletes representing all 24 varsity athletic programs volunteered their time to run activities, assist youth football games, coordinate booths, and ensure the event’s success.

Guided by the theme “Many Teams, One Goal,” this year’s Spirit Day raised an incredible $103,871, which is the highest total in event history. All proceeds were directed to the Ty Louis Campbell Foundation. Spirit Day honors the memory of a beloved Westlake cheerleader who bravely fought pediatric cancer, making the cause deeply personal for the school and surrounding community. Since its inception, Spirit Day has raised more than $525,000 for pediatric cancer research.

“Receiving the NYSPHSAA Community Service Award is an incredible honor for our district and a powerful recognition of what makes Westlake Athletics so special,” said Dave Kantrowitz, Westlake Director of Physical Education, Health, and Athletics. “Our student-athletes, coaches, and teams consistently show that their influence extends far beyond competition as they lead with integrity, compassion, and a deep commitment to service. ‘Many Teams, One Goal’ isn’t just a slogan; it reflects the meaningful difference our students continue to make both on and off the field.”

Westlake’s accomplishment contributes to the broader impact of the Fall 2025 Community Service Challenge, during which NYSPHSAA member schools completed:
242 community service projects
12,749 student-athletes participating
50,784 volunteer hours served
$1.76 million estimated value of volunteer time
$379,478 raised for charitable causes

“This award means so much to the Mount Pleasant community. Spirit Day started as a way to raise awareness for childhood cancer, but it has grown into something truly special,” said Brooke Pfeiffer, Westlake Girls Basketball Captain. “It’s the one day each year when our entire community comes together to honor those we’ve lost, support those still fighting, and celebrate the survivors.”

“We are incredibly proud of Westlake High School and all the student-athletes who contributed to this powerful, heartfelt project,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “Their commitment embodies the mission of the Community Service Challenge, to inspire student-athletes to make meaningful contributions to their communities while developing leadership, empathy, and civic responsibility.”

The NYSPHSAA Community Service Challenge utilizes the Team Up for Community (TU4C) platform and  encourages schools and student-athletes to engage in service initiatives throughout the year. For more information about NYSPHSAA’s Community Service Challenge, please visit www.nysphsaa.org.