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Northern New York Community Foundation

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WHS’ Nick Mallette is First to Earn Coach Matthew J. Branski Award

June 4, 2020 By admin

Standout Three-Sport Athlete Will Join Team at Le Moyne to Continue Lacrosse Career

    WATERTOWN — Watertown High School senior Nick Mallette was recently honored as the inaugural recipient 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, Mr. 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, Mr. 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 boys 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.

    “Coach Branski made a profound impact on the field and through this permanent fund will continue to positively affect the lives of student athletes,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation executive director and 1988 Watertown High School graduate. “Many have contributed to make this tribute a reality. Each has helped perpetuate his love of the sport of lacrosse and remind future generations of the important role he played in Watertown athletics.”

From left, Michael Branski, Coach Matthew J. Branski Award inaugural recipient Nick Mallette, Watertown High School Class of 2020, and Watertown High School Varsity Boys Lacrosse Coach Brian Navarra.

   Nick Mallette is a standout three-sport varsity athlete, participating in football for two years and swimming/diving and lacrosse for four years. As a football player, he was named to the Section 3 Class A First Team as a tight end and served as a team captain. In the pool, Nick earned honors as a Frontier League diving champion, a four-time Frontier League All-Star, a Frontier League Team champion and a Section 3 Team Champion. Nick distinguished himself as a lacrosse player, earning honors as a four-time Frontier League All-Star, two-time Watertown Daily Times All-North player, a Frontier League Champion and was a two-time team captain.

   Nick started playing lacrosse in eighth grade and immediately “knew it was the sport for him,” his mother, Terri, said.

   In addition to playing on the Cyclones varsity lacrosse team, Nick has played in the 1812 Shootout and the John Pepper and Cornstalk Classic tournaments. He has also been a member of travel teams including Rhino, Unity, and Upstate Salt Kings, Syracuse.

   Outside of athletics, Nick is a gifted musician and has been involved with the Trillium Music Center, playing the violin since he was 5. He also plays the guitar. He is a member of the National Honor Society and an active community volunteer, completing many hours of service on behalf of National Honor Society and the lacrosse team.

   Nick graduates from Watertown this month with a 95.4 GPA and will attend Le Moyne College, Syracuse, where he will study biology and continue to play lacrosse as a Le Moyne Dolphin. Nick aspires to become a physician’s assistant and plans to apply for entry into the program at Le Moyne. He is the son of Al and Terri Mallette, Watertown.

   Brian Navarra, Watertown varsity boys lacrosse coach, and Mr. Branski’s son, Mike, presented Nick with the award, which includes a $500 scholarship. To join in helping to perpetuate the legacy of Coach Matthew J. Branski, make gifts to: Northern New York Community Foundation, 131 Washington St., Watertown NY 13601.

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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Northern New York Community Foundation

Northern New York Community Foundation

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Working with donors to benefit the community through grants and scholarships since 1929.

The Challenge is now on!

We are excited to kick off the seventh annual $10,000 Northern New York Community Foundation Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge.

Students attending 7th and 8th grades in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence County can now compete for a chance to award one of ten $1,000 grants to a tri-county nonprofit that helps strengthen quality of life in their community.

Apply online or download an application and entry rules at nnycf.org/givingchallenge and enter by Friday, Oct. 27, 2023.

The Giving Challenge is made possible through the generosity of all who give to the Friends of the Foundation Annual Community Betterment Fund, a major gift from an individual donor, and corporate support from Community Bank, N.A.

Complete details: www.nnycf.org/2023-giving-challenge

#NNYCF #GivingChallenge #communityspirit
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Community Foundation Launches Seventh Annual $10,000 Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge

www.nnycf.org

Community Foundation Launches Seventh Annual $10,000 Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge September 25, 2023 By admin Tri-County Seventh and Eighth Graders Could Win One of Ten $1,000 Grants to Sup...
9 hours ago
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This week the Youth Philanthropy Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation visited the SoZo Teen Center of Watertown to learn more about the important work they do.

This week the Youth Philanthropy Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation visited the SoZo Teen Center of Watertown to learn more about the important work they do. ... See MoreSee Less

5 days ago
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Thank you for the conversation, questions, and feedback! We're excited to see the work these youth do for the community!

Melissa Shova!

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We are proud to introduce the Youth Philanthropy Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation Class of 2024! This year’s class welcomes eight new and eight returning student delegates and includes juniors and seniors from General Brown, Lyme, South Jefferson, and Watertown High Schools. 

During the last meeting of the school year in June, students elected members to the Council’s 2023-2024 Executive Committee. Watertown High senior Olivia Urf will serve as the Council Chair; General Brown senior Olivia Wisner will serve as Vice Chair; and Watertown High senior Maya Voss will serve as Secretary. South Jefferson High School senior Jack Mangan is Immediate Past Chair.

The Council also named committee chairs for the new year. Mia Kelly, Watertown High junior, will chair the Communications Committee; McKenna Lee, General Brown senior, will chair the Service Committee; and Ella Smith, Watertown High junior, will chair the Grants Committee.

The Youth Philanthropy Council and its grant program are made possible by gifts from donors who make contributions to the Friends of the Foundation Annual Community Betterment Fund and generous support from Watertown Savings Bank, RBC Wealth Management Watertown, the Renzi Family Charitable Foundation, and the Mart Liinve Family Charitable Fund.

Top photo: Front row, from left, Anastaja Smith, Watertown High junior; Mia Kelly, Watertown High junior; Colden Marks, General Brown Junior/Senior High junior; Rosamond Hunt, Lyme Central School junior; and Finley Swartz, Watertown High junior. Second row, from left, Olivia Urf, Watertown High senior; Maya Voss, Watertown High senior; Hannah Eldridge, Watertown High junior; and McKenna Lee, General Brown Junior/Senior High senior. Third row, from left, Ella Smith, Watertown High junior; Jack Mangan, South Jefferson High senior; Sienna Virga, Watertown High junior; Harper Lane, Watertown High junior; and Olivia Wisner, General Brown Junior/Senior High senior. Back row, from left, Jack Adams, Watertown High junior; Justin Draught, Watertown High junior; Bennett Pistner, Watertown High junior; Vincent Knapp, Watertown High junior; and Elyse King, Watertown High junior.

Bottom photo: From left, Secretary Maya Voss, Watertown High senior; Chair Olivia Urf, Watertown High senior; and Vice Chair Olivia Wisner, General Brown Junior/Senior High senior.

Complete details: www.nnycf.org/2023-24-ypc-class

#YPC #NNYCF #LeadershipImage attachment

We are proud to introduce the Youth Philanthropy Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation Class of 2024! This year’s class welcomes eight new and eight returning student delegates and includes juniors and seniors from General Brown, Lyme, South Jefferson, and Watertown High Schools.

During the last meeting of the school year in June, students elected members to the Council’s 2023-2024 Executive Committee. Watertown High senior Olivia Urf will serve as the Council Chair; General Brown senior Olivia Wisner will serve as Vice Chair; and Watertown High senior Maya Voss will serve as Secretary. South Jefferson High School senior Jack Mangan is Immediate Past Chair.

The Council also named committee chairs for the new year. Mia Kelly, Watertown High junior, will chair the Communications Committee; McKenna Lee, General Brown senior, will chair the Service Committee; and Ella Smith, Watertown High junior, will chair the Grants Committee.

The Youth Philanthropy Council and its grant program are made possible by gifts from donors who make contributions to the Friends of the Foundation Annual Community Betterment Fund and generous support from Watertown Savings Bank, RBC Wealth Management Watertown, the Renzi Family Charitable Foundation, and the Mart Liinve Family Charitable Fund.

Top photo: Front row, from left, Anastaja Smith, Watertown High junior; Mia Kelly, Watertown High junior; Colden Marks, General Brown Junior/Senior High junior; Rosamond Hunt, Lyme Central School junior; and Finley Swartz, Watertown High junior. Second row, from left, Olivia Urf, Watertown High senior; Maya Voss, Watertown High senior; Hannah Eldridge, Watertown High junior; and McKenna Lee, General Brown Junior/Senior High senior. Third row, from left, Ella Smith, Watertown High junior; Jack Mangan, South Jefferson High senior; Sienna Virga, Watertown High junior; Harper Lane, Watertown High junior; and Olivia Wisner, General Brown Junior/Senior High senior. Back row, from left, Jack Adams, Watertown High junior; Justin Draught, Watertown High junior; Bennett Pistner, Watertown High junior; Vincent Knapp, Watertown High junior; and Elyse King, Watertown High junior.

Bottom photo: From left, Secretary Maya Voss, Watertown High senior; Chair Olivia Urf, Watertown High senior; and Vice Chair Olivia Wisner, General Brown Junior/Senior High senior.

Complete details: www.nnycf.org/2023-24-ypc-class

#YPC #NNYCF #Leadership
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1 week ago
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What a great group!

Congratulations to all

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