Academic Achievements/Athletic Accolades

NCAA Division III athletics was the perfect choice for these student-athletes.

Many high school athletes must decide between going to a college or university with a “big-time” athletics program and primarily focusing on athletics, often at the expense of academics, or giving up their love of the sport they’ve played since their childhood so they can dedicate themselves to their academic pursuits. At LVC, faculty and coaches believe in and encourage their student-athletes to shine academically and athletically.

The College’s supportive environment enables its student-athletes to study abroad, pursue prestigious clinical and research experiences and internships, and perform with The Pride of The Valley Marching Band, the largest in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC). Faculty and coaching mentorships provide the foundation for all our students to succeed wherever their passions lie. Here are eight examples of how pursuing Division III athletics allowed these student-athletes to excel in multiple pursuits.

Nicole Honrade ’23, D’25

Acing/Caring for the Aging

Nicole Honrade ’23, D’25 wondered if she would have to give up playing tennis while pursuing LVC’s challenging doctor of physical therapy degree. She did not. Last spring, she was named the MAC Women’s Tennis Championship Tournament MVP after helping lead the squad to the team title and an NCCA Division III National Tournament appearance. There, she won in singles and doubles (with Jacquelyn McBride ’23) to record the program’s first-ever NCAA wins.

This semester, she’s participating in her first clinical experience, working with the geriatric population at the Cornwall Manor Health Center.

“I love interacting with my patients and helping them reach their goals,” said Honrade. “It’s rewarding to help our patients maintain the ability to walk, transfer, and perform functional activities as independently as possible. We help train their balance and teach them proper form when transferring from the bed to the wheelchair. Plus, hearing their stories brightens my week.”

Syryth Mitchell ’24

Pride of The Valley/ League of Legends

Growing up in Cleona, LVC Honors student Syryth Mitchell ’24 began swimming lessons with LVC’s head coach of men’s and women’s swimming teams, Mary Gardner P’09, P’13, at age five. Having swum full circle, the double major in digital communications and political science competes on the swim team under Gardner’s tutelage and LVC’s Esports League of Legends team. Mitchell also plays clarinet, is in The Pride of The Valley Marching Band, and is an Eagle Scout.

“I joined the scouting program as a Cub Scout in second grade, then became a Boy Scout in fifth grade,” said Mitchell. “I continued in scouting, joining their Order of the Arrow National Honor Society, before completing my Eagle Scout project in 2019.”

Not surprisingly, Mitchell enhanced the Annville-Cleona Community Pool to earn his Eagle Scout Award.

“I wanted to do a project for the pool because it is a meaningful location for me, and I decided to give something back to a group of people who are like a second family to me,” noted Mitchell. “The Gardner family taught me how to swim and, more importantly, be compassionate and always thoughtful of others. Therefore, I refurbished the pool’s pavilion and added a new activity area for kids to play in when not swimming.”

Daelyn Stabler ’23

Bird Enrichment/ Basketball

As the lone senior and a co-captain on the women’s basketball team, Daelyn Stabler ’23 is used to being the squad’s veteran. As a key contributor to the team since her first season, basketball has been a significant part of her college career. However, the biology major and environmental studies minor chose the College because she knew it would enhance her goal of becoming a veterinarian.

“The impressive facilities, the friendly and helpful science professors I met, and LVC’s high health professions graduate school acceptance rate, combined with the comradery I felt from the basketball team, cemented my decision,” said Stabler.

Stabler completed three internships, including experiences with ZooAmerica in Hershey and the National Aviary in Pittsburgh.

“I was an Animal Collections intern at the National Aviary and, because they knew I wanted to become a veterinarian, they allowed me to work in the Breeding Center and observe and assist with various medical procedures in the Veterinary Hospital,” noted Stabler. “I fed, cleaned, and provided enrichment for more than 60 of the 150 species and gave daily presentations about African penguins and species conservation efforts. This unpaid internship was only possible thanks to the financial support I received from the Steven J. and Wendie DiMatteo Holsinger Immersive Experience Fund.”

Editor’s Note: Stabler received the Marion C. Alexander Rising Star Award from the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts Women in STEM program (see p. 11).

Zach Reed ’23

Three Sports/ Three Internships

And seven medals. Zach Reed ’23 is a double major (global studies and political science) and double minor (business administration and German) who competes in three sports (men’s soccer, indoor and outdoor track)—oh, and completed three internships and studied in Maastricht, The Netherlands. Reed said the most meaningful internship was in former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf’s Correspondence and Constituent Affairs Office.

“I had numerous roles in the Governor’s office,” said Reed, who plans to enroll in LVC’s master of science in Intelligence and Securities Studies program this fall. “I enjoyed attending bill signings, where I met and interacted with numerous senators and representatives, but the highlight was meeting some of the original Tuskegee Airmen from World War II.

“My passion for sports statistics, including my track & field times, led to my interest in intelligence collections and public safety. I want to join the intelligence field to help public safety and fight against online platforms that have much of our personal information.”

Reed, who visited 28 colleges and universities during his college search before deciding on LVC, which was his last visit, has earned All-MAC academic and athletic accolades in soccer and track & field, including seven championship medals as of this writing. With two seasons of track eligibility remaining, he is in the top 10 all-time in seven events.

Julia Abendschoen ’23

Service Work/ Lacrosse Saves

Julia Abendschoen ’23 has started in goal for every game of her LVC women’s lacrosse career. The program’s record holder for saves in a season, she’s also in the top three in program history for all-time career wins and saves.

The biochemistry & molecular biology major said the team “plays for a purpose. My teammates and head coach, Rachel Perla M’25, dedicate our games and serve as ambassadors for social issues like Morgan’s Message [suicide prevention and mental health advocacy for student-athletes], One Love [domestic violence awareness], and military appreciation.

“I enjoy the community service we do as a team,” she added. “We’ve volunteered with the Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association and Lancaster Kennel Club. We also participate in the Summer Genesis Tournament and as camp counselors for a Nike camp each summer to help inspire the girls to fall in love with the game.”

Abendschoen also appreciates her professors, especially her advisor, Dr. Robert Carey, director of biochemistry & molecular biology and associate professor of biology.

“My professors inspire me to learn and want to do great things in the future,” said Abendschoen. “My advisor, Dr. Carey, deserves recognition for teaching in a way that inspires his students to learn by making lectures interesting.”

Vinny Ferrizzi ’23

Runner/Researcher

Vinny Ferrizzi ’23 conducted student-faculty research at LVC for three semesters with Dr. Walter Patton, chair of chemistry and physics, and Dr. Rebecca Urban, professor of biology and director of environmental science. He studied “how different acidic concentrations can impact the rate at which fruits ripen” with Dr. Patton and a couple of projects with Dr. Urban, including how allelochemical properties in invasive plants affect the germination of common Pennsylvania crop seeds. These experiences led to his acceptance into the highly selective Washington State University Research in Interdisciplinary STEM Education Program last summer.

“I learned a lot about different types of research and how to develop well-written exam questions,” said Ferrizzi, a men’s cross country and indoor and outdoor track team member. He’s been part of four medal-winning relay teams, including setting the third and fourth-best times in program history. “I made dozens of connections with academics from across the United States that will benefit my teaching career.”

These learning opportunities confirmed the biology and secondary education major’s decision to teach, and he’s student-teaching at Lebanon High School this semester.

“Working with the students has been better than I could have imagined,” said Ferrizzi, who plans to enroll in LVC’s master of education program next fall. “I love teaching the students and seeing them grow to love science.”

Ryan Gibney ’23, D’25

Lifesaver/Linebacker

Like his grandfather, father, and uncle—who are current or former captains in the Baltimore County Fire Department—Ryan Gibney ’23, D’25 is a firefighter who plans to continue the tradition while pursuing a career as a physical therapist after graduation. He volunteers with the Annville-Cleona Fire Department and Eureka Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Company at home. Between runs, he participates in a weekly clinical rotation at the Drayer Physical Therapy Institute in West Hanover.

“It’s been a great opportunity to work with patients and expand my educational experience,” noted Gibney, a Dutchmen linebacker and football team co-captain. “The staff go out of their way to answer my questions and include me in the treatment process.”

Gibney is grateful that he found a college where he could continue to play football and serve as a firefighter while also achieving academic success.

“Academics are foremost,” said Gibney. “Still, few people are fortunate to play college football. I’m glad I’ve been able to be part of such a great team and study in a highly rigorous and successful Physical Therapy Program.”

Gibney, whose younger brother, Dan, is also a firefighter and student-athlete at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, spoke about where he derives his two passions.

“My family has always modeled aiding others and giving back,” said Gibney. “It’s rewarding to pay it forward.”

Olivia Magneson ’23

Hockey/Harvard

Olivia Magneson ’23, of Urbandale, Iowa, heard about LVC while being recruited by Matt Yingst, head women’s ice hockey coach, who saw her in goal in St. Louis, Mo. She then came for an overnight visit and connected with the physics faculty.

“I chose LVC because I could play hockey at the NCAA level and impact the program,” said Magneson. “Additionally, I saw the Physics Department as a place where I could succeed and grow as a student.” She participated in student-faculty research with Dr. Keith Veenhuizen, assistant professor of physics, in material physics, which prepared Magneson for her work at Harvard the following summer.

“The fellowship enabled me to perform research and learn about the medical physics field at Harvard Medical School’s Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center,” said Magneson. “I also shadowed my mentor in various state-of-the-art radiation therapy treatments.

She was one of just 16 students in North America selected for an American Association of Physicists in Medicine Summer Fellowship. “The fellowship at Harvard Medical School’s Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center enabled me to perform impactful research and learn about the medical physics field,” said Magneson.

“I am grateful to have received a DiMatteo-Holsinger Immersive Experience Fund grant,” added Magneson (see p. 10), who plans to attend graduate school to study medical physics this fall. “Their financial support enabled me to choose a location and mentor, providing me with the best learning atmosphere.”