With only a few months until the 2025-2026 school year ends, many seniors have decided to continue their athletic careers in college. These seniors have put their heart and soul into the sport that they love and have a piece of advice for future athletes who plan on continuing their athletic careers in college.
Kayla Newman has been a part of the Raiderettes for all four years of high school and has been dancing for most of her life. Kayla will be attending the University of South Carolina for dance. A Division 1 school that is known for their successful athletic programs such as football, swimming, and track and field. However, their dance team has won three national titles in Division 1A for team performance at the National Dance Alliance (NDA) College Nationals. Newman has been named a National Champion for dance along with being Raiderettes Captain.
“I fell in love with my sport because it’s a way of expressing myself, and is not just a sport but an art form,” says Newman.
Evan Fraser has been doing track and field ever since 7th grade. Fraser has been broken the schools 200M,300M,400M and 4x2M record, got the Facility Record at Suffolk Credit Union, went to All State for track and field, was a 3x county champ, a 2x all county, a named League Champion twice , was named All League twice, named Long Island Elite Champion, and was State Qualified champion. Fraser will be attending Division 2, East Stroudsburg University, in the fall. Fraser already knew that he was going to continue the sport once he saw the progress that he made and created a passion for the sport he loves.
“Consistency is key!” says Fraser, when asked about a piece of advice he’s like to leave for future college athletes.
Violet Tirelli is going to Wesleyan University for volleyball and has been playing for 5 years. The Division 3 university has a 16.5% acceptance rate and is known for being a member of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). Tirelli knew that the moment she stepped on the court, it became her happy place and a way to express her true self.
“It’s a way for me to feel confident and empowered,” says Tirelli.
She has been named 2x All County (2024 and 2025), League Player of the Year (2025), All State (2025), and All County Academic (2025).
“Play for the love of the game first, and then everything else will come after from the work you put in while no one is watching.”
Gianna Touya will be attending the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and will be pursuing her dance career there. Touya has been doing dance for the last 14 years and will be a part of sport societies in the UK that compete against other parallel groups from other universities. She has danced her whole life and continues to do so as this next chapter of her dance career unfolds.
Touya says “If you love your sport, continue it in whatever forum possible whether it be a team, club, or intermural.”
Finally, Brady Melito will be attending the Division 3 school, Hartwick College, for football. The Hartwick College Football Program is known for its full schedule, roster, and outstanding active athletic operations. Melito has been named First Team All Division, Second Team All Region, and 4th Team All State while only playing football for Pat-Med High School for just over a year.
“Just a crazy idea to start kicking footballs and a hell of an amount of work later I fell in love with the sport and playing alongside all the guys on the team,” says Melito.
One piece of advice Melito leaves the underclassmen is that “good things come to those who work hard enough for it.”
He also encourages students that anything is possible when you work hard enough.
Congratulations to the Class of 2026 for both their academic and athletic accomplishments these past four years. Pat-Med can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!
