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Northern New York Community Foundation

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Watertown High’s Connell, Rathbun Named 2024 Coach Matthew J. Branski Award Recipients

June 12, 2024 By admin

Standout Lacrosse Players to Extend Playing Careers at Jefferson Community College  This Fall

     WATERTOWN — Watertown High School seniors Devin Connell and Jack T. Rathbun were recently honored as the recipients of the Northern New York Community Foundation Coach Matthew J. Branski Award.

     The Coach Matthew J. Branski Award was established at the Community Foundation shortly after his passing in January 2020 to honor his leadership as a decades-long lacrosse coach and Watertown High School teacher who mentored countless students and athletes on and off the field.

     Highly regarded by players, parents, fellow teachers and coaches, Coach Branski was a true friend who always ensured each player was treated with respect. While he demanded excellence, he inspired such results through the example he set for others.

     His passion for the game of lacrosse was matched equally by the same for Watertown High School, and the young men on his teams were genuinely excited to play. Some of his players went on to pursue lacrosse careers in officiating and coaching at both the high school and collegiate levels. In 2002, Coach Branski reached the pinnacle of his career when he was inducted into the Upstate New York Chapter of the U.S. Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

     Branski Award honorees are veterans of the Watertown High School lacrosse program and demonstrate a hard-working attitude, dedication to the sport, determination to lead, and exhibit good sportsmanship. Students with plans to play collegiate lacrosse receive strong consideration for the award, which includes a $500 scholarship.

     “Coach Branski left such a profound imprint on the history of the Watertown lacrosse program and there are many who benefited though the years from his deep commitment to the sport and the school,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. “It is fitting that his impact on the lives of student athletes continues in this way.”

From left: Watertown High School senior Devin Connell, 2024 Coach Matthew J. Branski Award recipient; Watertown Varsity Boys Lacrosse Head Coach Brian Navarra; Watertown High School senior Jack T. Rathbun, 2024 Coach Matthew J. Branski Award recipient; and Watertown Varsity Boys Lacrosse Assistant Coach Shane Simser.

About the recipients

     Devin Connell is a standout three-sport varsity athlete, competing for three years on the varsity soccer team, two years on the varsity basketball squad, and three years on the varsity lacrosse team. He is a four-time New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Scholar Athlete.

     As a varsity soccer player, Devin served as a team captain his senior year and was named to the Watertown Daily Times All North First Team. He earned Frontier League All-Star Honorable Mention his junior and sophomore years.

     As a Cyclones varsity lacrosse player, Devin served as a team captain and was named a Frontier League All-Star during his senior year. He earned Frontier League All-Star Honorable Mention his junior and sophomore years. He also played travel lacrosse for six years with Unity Club Lacrosse.

     Devin will graduate this month with a New York State Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation. He will attend Jefferson Community College this fall where he plans to study athletic training and continue his playing career as a member of the Cannoneers lacrosse team. He aspires to work as a professional athletic trainer. Devin is the son of Kelly and Bob Connell, Watertown.

     Jack T. Rathbun is an accomplished three-sport athlete, competing for three years in varsity soccer and varsity lacrosse and for two years in varsity basketball. He is a three-time New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Scholar Athlete.

     As a varsity soccer player, Jack was a three-time Frontier League Champion, a three-time Frontier League All-Star and was twice named to the Watertown Daily Times All North Team.

     As a Cyclones varsity basketball player, Jack was a two-time Frontier League Champion. As a varsity lacrosse competitor, he earned Frontier League All-Star Honorable Mention his junior year and was named a League All-Star his senior year. He also earned Honorable Mention to the Watertown Daily Times All North Team.

     Off the athletic field, Jack is a top-ranked honor student and two-year National Honor Society member who participated in numerous extracurricular clubs and activities. With his family, he is a communicant of Blessed Sacrament Parish where he is an active volunteer.

     Jack will graduate this month with a New York State Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation. He will attend Jefferson Community College this fall where he plans to study business and continue his playing career on the lacrosse field. He aspires to work in his family’s business, Rathbun’s Plumbing, Heating, and Electrical. Jack is the son of Amy and Chris Rathbun, Watertown.

From left: Watertown High School senior Devin Connell, 2024 Coach Matthew J. Branski Award recipient; Watertown Varsity Boys Lacrosse Head Coach Brian Navarra; and Watertown High School senior Jack T. Rathbun, 2024 Coach Matthew J. Branski Award recipient.

About the Northern New York Community Foundation

     Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.

     Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual donors, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.

     The Community Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations. It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.

Filed Under: Recent News

Northern New York Community Foundation

131 Washington Street
Watertown, NY 13601

Phone: 315-782-7110
Fax: 315-782-0047

info@nnycf.org

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ATTENTION CLASS OF 2025 students, parents, teachers, counselors, and class advisors: Now is the time for Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence County students to apply for post-secondary educational support.

Apply today at bit.ly/nnycf-scholarships

Questions? Contact Mary Perrine, Community Foundation coordinator of partnerships, maryp@nnycf.org, or Tara Hess, stewardship & donor services associate, tara@nnycf.org, or 315-782-7110.

#NNYCF #ClassOf2025 #Scholarships

ATTENTION CLASS OF 2025 students, parents, teachers, counselors, and class advisors: Now is the time for Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence County students to apply for post-secondary educational support.

Apply today at bit.ly/nnycf-scholarships

Questions? Contact Mary Perrine, Community Foundation coordinator of partnerships, maryp@nnycf.org, or Tara Hess, stewardship & donor services associate, tara@nnycf.org, or 315-782-7110.

#NNYCF #ClassOf2025 #Scholarships
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Thanks to donors like YOU, the LEAD Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation made the holiday season shine a little brighter for tri-county seniors!

Through LEAD's Holiday Giving Fund match, nearly $5,500 was raised to help make the holidays special for seniors in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.

Meals on Wheels at Watertown Urban Mission, the Santa for Seniors program at Lowville Food Pantry, and Meals on Wheels at St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging each received $1,832 in support.

Complete details below.

We are grateful for all who support Community Foundation programs like the LEAD Council and initiatives that make a direct and meaningful impact across the regi#NNYCFN#lead##leadingthewayheWay
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LEAD Council Holiday Giving Fund Awards Nearly $5,500 to Brighten Season Across the Region

nnycf.org

LEAD Council Holiday Giving Fund Awards Nearly $5,500 to Brighten Season Across the Region December 26, 2024 By admin Young Professionals Aid Senior Programs in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Coun...
4 months ago
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The Watertown-based manufacturer behind Little Trees air fresheners recently established the CAR-FRESHNER Corporation Charitable Fund at the Community Foundation.

Grant applications will be reviewed and awarded quarterly throughout the calendar year. Eligible nonprofit organizations may submit one application per year, with grant awards ranging from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $20,000 per application.

This year, applications must focus on educational initiatives, including but not limited to libraries, child care, and preschool programs, career training, vocational and technical education, and similar projects that enhance educational opportunities within Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.

The deadline for first-quarter 2025 grant applications is Friday, January 24, 2025. Visit bit.ly/grant-portal to access the Community Foundation’s online grant portal.

Complete details below.

#NNYCF #ThoughtfulGiving #Partnerships #Grantmaking
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CAR-FRESHNER Corp. Establishes Charitable Partnership With the Community Foundation

nnycf.org

CAR-FRESHNER Corp. Establishes Charitable Partnership With the Community Foundation December 23, 2024 By admin New Charitable Fund Will Support Various Community Projects and Initiatives Through Quart...
4 months ago
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Thank you, Car Freshener!

Becky Taylor

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