Section I
Isabella Gangemi

Isabella is a junior from Mahopac High School who competes in girls basketball, field hockey, girls lacrosse, and Unified Basketball. As a multi-sport athlete, she has developed strong leadership, communication, and adaptability skills while helping create positive and supportive team environments. She has also been involved with Unified sports and spends time supporting students in the Lifeskills Classroom, experiences that have strengthened her commitment to inclusion, empathy, and making sure every student feels valued. Isabella is excited to be part of SAAC to represent student-athletes, promote sportsmanship and inclusion, and help create a positive experience for athletes across the state.

Section I
Owen Wagner

A senior at Rye Neck, Owen competes in boys soccer, indoor track, and outdoor track, holding multiple freshmen and sophomore school records. He also serves as Class President, Student Senate Vice President, Model UN Co-President, and on several student advisory groups. He founded the Westchester Grassroot Soccer Cup charity tournament and represented Section I at the NYSPHSAA Student Leadership Conference. Owen is excited to be part of SAAC to represent student-athletes’ voices and help make a positive impact across the state.

Section 2
Aris Pappas

A junior at Saratoga Springs High School, Aris competes in boys volleyball and has developed his leadership skills through athletics, public speaking, and student involvement. He has participated in the Student Athlete Leadership Committee, where he helped develop a presentation for incoming freshmen on balancing academics and athletics. He is also involved in Model UN, YMCA Youth and Government, and the Hugh O’Brien Leadership Program. Through these experiences, Aris has learned the importance of listening to different perspectives, including younger and less-experienced teammates, and ensuring everyone feels valued. He is excited to be part of SAAC to represent the voices of student-athletes and help promote leadership, inclusion, and sportsmanship across the state.

Section 2
Taylor Gifford

A senior at Broadalbin-Perth, Taylor competes in girls soccer, basketball, and flag football, where she helped establish her school’s inaugural team. She is Class Co-President, a Foothills Council Leadership Representative, and active in numerous school and community activities. Passionate about equity and opportunity, she is excited to serve on SAAC to advocate for female athletes and help expand opportunities for student-athletes across New York.

Section III
Alayne Riley

A junior at Homer High School, Alayne competes in girls soccer, girls wrestling, and Unified Basketball. A team captain and longtime student leader, she has served as a Class Officer and is involved in Student Government, Science Olympiad, International Club, and numerous community service activities. As one of the first girls in her school’s wrestling program, she advocated for expanded opportunities for female wrestlers after experiencing a barrier to participation, reinforcing her commitment to equity and inclusion in athletics. She also volunteers with Special Olympics and youth sports programs. Alayne is excited to be part of SAAC to advocate for student-athletes, increase participation, and help ensure every athlete feels seen, supported, and included.

Section III
Jackson Ward

A senior from General Brown, Jackson competes in football, basketball, and baseball, serving as his team’s starting quarterback and helping lead them to a sectional championship. He is active in Captains Club, National Honor Society, and other school organizations. Excited to serve on SAAC, he hopes to share his school’s voice while promoting sportsmanship, mental health, and equity for all student-athletes.

Section IV
Ryan Schappert

Ryan, a senior at Union-Endicott, competes in boys golf and boys ice hockey, serving as captain of the hockey team as a sophomore. He is active in Key Club, Veterans Club, and volunteers with youth hockey and at the Dick’s Open golf tournament. Excited to join SAAC, he looks forward to leading by example and helping create a positive environment for student-athletes across the state.

Section IV
Taleigh Sheppard

A junior at Moravia Central School, Taleigh competes in girls cross country, indoor track and field, and softball. She is involved in Section IV SAAC, Girl Scouts, FFA, marching and jazz band, and serves as a youth pitching coach. A committed student-athlete and teammate, she has demonstrated leadership by creating and presenting resources on nutrition, mental wellness, and recovery habits for fellow athletes. Her experiences have also taught her the importance of empathy, communication, and making an intentional effort to ensure every teammate feels included and supported. Taleigh is excited to be part of SAAC to advocate for student-athletes and promote sportsmanship, teamwork, and positive athletic experiences across the state.

Section V
Dezmon Jackson

A junior at World of Inquiry School, Dezmon competes in boys basketball, football, and indoor and outdoor track and field. As a multi-sport athlete, he has developed leadership, responsibility, perseverance, and a strong commitment to teamwork. He strives to lead by example through his effort, attitude, and sportsmanship while encouraging and supporting those around him. An experience mentoring a younger student also reinforced the importance of listening, understanding others’ circumstances, and being a positive influence. Dezmon is excited to be part of SAAC to represent student-athletes, promote sportsmanship and inclusion, and help improve the athletic experience for students across the state.

Section V
Ryleigh Day

Ryleigh, a senior at East Rochester, competes in field hockey and flag football while serving as Class President and a leader in numerous school clubs. Passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion, she has been an advocate for representation since middle school and is a member of her school’s DEI board. She is excited to join SAAC to continue promoting student voices and advancing equity for athletes across New York.

Section VI
Ben Meyers

Ben is a senior at Wilson who competes in boys basketball, boys golf, and outdoor track and field. He attended the 2025 NYSPHSAA Student Leadership Conference, where he gained valuable leadership skills and connected with student-athletes from across the state. Also active in band and Boy Scouts, where he is working toward Eagle Scout rank, he is eager to bring his experiences to SAAC and help strengthen the student-athlete voice.

Section VI
Emily Desiderio 

A junior at Niagara Wheatfield High School, Emily competes in girls cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field, softball, and swimming and diving. A varsity athlete since seventh grade, she has competed at the sectional, state, and national levels and has served as a captain for both cross country and indoor track. Her accomplishments include earning team MVP honors, First Team All-League recognition, and a WNY Sportsmanship Award. She also serves as a grade-level SAAC representative and participates in Student Council, DECA, and Pep Club. Through athletics, Emily has learned the importance of perseverance, respectful communication, and building positive relationships with teammates, competitors, coaches, and officials. She is excited to be part of SAAC to share ideas, grow as a leader, and help strengthen the student-athlete experience across New York State.

Section VII
Michelle Ordway

A three-sport athlete, Michelle is a senior who plays basketball, soccer, and softball at Minerva, where she also serves as a basketball captain. She is Student Council President, Yearbook President, and active in music, drama, and youth sports programs. Excited to join SAAC, she hopes to use her empathy, kindness, and work ethic to make sports a positive and welcoming space for all student-athletes.

Section VII
Bryce Fletcher

Section VIII
Katelyn Mullen

As a senior at South Side, Katelyn balances academics while being a member of the girls basketball and girls golf teams. She also serves as a leader in multiple school clubs. A DECA officer, Public Health Club vice president, and basketball captain, she has built strong skills in leadership, teamwork, and communication. Passionate about mental health and inclusion, she is excited to join SAAC to ensure every student-athlete feels valued, supported, and heard.

Section VIII
Kyle Chung

A junior at East Meadow High School, Kyle competes in boys cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field. He serves as Class President and is involved in Athletes Helping Athletes, Key Club, STEM Club, several academic honor societies, and the Academy of Finance. He also gives back to his community as a volunteer youth track coach and through numerous service initiatives. Through athletics and leadership, Kyle has learned the importance of encouraging others, listening to different perspectives, and making sure teammates feel supported and included. He is excited to be part of SAAC to represent Section VIII student-athletes and promote fairness, respect, and positive athletic experiences across New York State.

Section IX
Sean Kelly

A junior at Goshen High School, Sean competes in boys basketball and golf and has been a varsity athlete since eighth grade. In basketball, he became the first eighth grader in his school’s history to be brought up and start at the varsity level, later earning conference All-Star recognition and helping his team win a Section IX championship. He is also involved in Varsity Club and gives back through several community volunteer activities. His experience with Unified Basketball has strengthened his commitment to inclusion and taught him the importance of adapting his leadership to ensure every athlete feels valued and supported. Sean is excited to be part of SAAC to represent student-athletes and promote teamwork, inclusion, and positive athletic experiences across New York State.

Section IX
Lauren Scheuermann

Lauren, a junior at S.S. Seward Institute, competes in girls varsity soccer and girls varsity basketball, serving as the captain of the girls varsity basketball team since her freshman year. In basketball she has been recognized as one of the top 50 Section IX girls basketball players for the past two years and she led her team to the Section IX title in 2026. She is involved in Youth in Government, National Honor Society, and is the treasurer for her class. As a student athlete and a leader in a small school, she has acquired the important skills of communication and leadership. She has learned through her athletic experiences that it is very important to have good sportsmanship and to be respectful to everyone on the court or field. Motivated to better the mental health of student athletes and strengthen the sportsmanship across the state, she is excited and ready to join SAAC as the section IX representative and create a healthy environment for student athletes across New York State. 

Section X
Kylie Tyo - SAAC Leader

A senior and three-sport athlete at Parishville-Hopkinton, Kylie plays girls soccer, girls basketball, and softball while also serving as a leader in Student Council, Varsity Club, and Spanish Club. As a small-school athlete, she values making every voice heard and is eager to bring that perspective to SAAC. Known for her strong work ethic and leadership as a team captain, she is excited to represent Section X and advocate for student-athletes across the state.

Section X
Jonas Fefee

A junior at Frankling Academy High School, Jonas competes in boys basketball, soccer, and outdoor track and field. He serves as Class Treasurer, an Ex Officio Student School Board Member, a District Safety Committee member, and a local SAAC member, and is also involved in Student Council, National Honor Society, Sources of Strength, and community service. After attending the NYSPHSAA Student Leadership Conference, he brought the “Human>Athlete” message back to his school and led a mental wellness awareness initiative that engaged more than 300 student-athletes. Through these experiences, Jonas has developed a strong commitment to compassion, collaboration, and supporting his peers. He is excited to be part of SAAC to represent Section X, give back to his community, and help create a positive and supportive experience for student-athletes across the state.

Section XI
Addison Thoms

A junior at Center Moriches High School, Addison competes in girls cross country, lacrosse, and indoor track and field. She has earned Rookie of the Year honors in lacrosse and is involved in the Inclusivity and Diversity Club, Drama Club as a student director, and several academic honor societies. Her commitment to service includes volunteering with youth and school programs and raising more than $1,400 for the Ronald McDonald House. She also attended the NYSPHSAA Student Leadership Conference, where she strengthened her understanding of student leadership and the importance of student voice. Addison is excited to be part of SAAC to represent Section XI and help promote leadership, mental wellness, inclusion, and positive athletic experiences for student-athletes across New York State.

Section XI
Charlie Carter - SAAC Leader

Charlie is a senior at Mattituck and is a three-sport athlete who plays on the boys soccer, boys basketball, and boys lacrosse teams, and serves as Class President. He founded the “Play It Forward” initiative, bringing student-athletes together for community service, and has represented Section XI at the NYSPHSAA Student Leadership Conference. Excited to join SAAC, he hopes to give back to athletics and ensure every student-athlete feels included and supported.