Syosset Braves Lacrosse Relaunches Charity Campaign; OLMA's Season Winds Down

Syosset Lacrosse Continues Autism Awareness Initiative 

While preparing for the upcoming season, the Syosset Braves lacrosse program has their sights set on continuing a charitable campaign off the field.

The Ascent Youth Alliance to Battle Autism (AYABA), a program of the non-profit Ascent Funding Organization, is a small group of student volunteers created by three Syosset High School brothers - Sean, Ryan, and Kyle Haber. For the past five years, the Haber brothers have been striving to make a difference for children with disabilities.

AYABA and all the Syosset Braves lacrosse teams joined forces to create BraveGoals4Autism and BraveSaves4Autism. Their collective mission is to help local children impacted by autism reach their full potential. They do this by raising funds necessary for the education and enhancement of socialization skills and by promoting awareness, tolerance and acceptance.

For every goal scored and save made by the Braves this season, a donation will be made to the Ascent Funding Organization. 100% of Ascent’s proceeds will be donated to the Nassau-Suffolk Autism Society of America (NSASA), the Kids in Special Services (K.I.S.S.) program of the Mid-Island Y and the Ascent School for Autism.

Not only does the program raise money for autism, but it will also help the Syosset Lacrosse Booster Club, which aids the highly successful program. 

The charity hopes to receive pledges ranging from 25 cents to $1 for each goal scored or save made this season or a $20 flat donation to be split between the Booster Club and Ascent.

Sponsorships starting at $75, which include website recognition, a BraveGoals4Autism t-shirt and a DVD of “Making a Difference-AYABA” (Named Best Educational Documentary in the 2010 NY International Independent Film Festival), are also available.

“Our goal is to raise in excess of $25,000 for autism and no less than $10,000 for the Syosset Lacrosse program,” Kyle Haber said.

Prior to beginning the new campaign, the group has raised nearly $8,000 for autism and $750 for the booster club.   

The organization is currently looking for students to assist in the effort. The student volunteers will help garner donations and spread the organizations message through social networking websites and other publicity efforts. For their services, the charity is offering to send each volunteer a letter of appreciation to include in their college applications, as well as a BraveGoals4Autism t-shirt. 

To donate and find out more about BravesGoals4Autism and BravesSaves4Autism, log on to bravesgoals4autism.com and syossetbraveslax.vnsports.com or email Larry Habert at  larryhaber@colgaterea.com or Kyle Haber at kshlax34@aol.com.

The Braves will begin scoring and saving to make a difference when they open the season on at

OLMA Basketball to Honor Seniors

Friday night’s 's will not only mark the continuation of run towards the playoffs, it will also be the final regular season home game in a Mustangs uniform for the squad’s seven seniors.

“All seven are the best kids you could meet,” Head coach John Kiffel said. “They made my first year here an incredible experience.”

Among those being honored on Senior Night are co-captains Amanda Walsh and Louise Lehmuller. Both are four-year players.

Walsh spent most of the season playing out of position, causing her to be matched up with players larger than her. According to Kiffel, she did so without complaint.

Lehmuller is known as the spark-plug for the Mustangs.

“One of the toughest kids I know,” Kiffel said.

However, as almost any coach in any sport will willingly offer, two players do not make a successful team.

Brittany Bentsen hurt herself early in the season, but came back strong and became a significant rebounding threat.  Caroline Grima also made a comeback of sorts. After sitting out her junior year, Grima returned and provided a spark off the bench.

Silvana Morra also acted as a leader.

“She helped with the younger players on the team, getting them used to playing on the varsity level,” Kiffel said. `

 The coach also singled out two players for “doing the little things right”. Meghan Cerrone and Catherine Dillon both paid attention to detail, guiding their team along the way. 

After struggling last season, the Mustangs have shown much improvement this year, as they are 8-11 this season and 3-8 in the highly-competitive CHSAA.  These seniors have played an intricate part in the rebirth of Mercy basketball.