Each week, #SpanningtheNeed will present an “Inspirational Person of the Week’ and have a “Q & A” with one of its many gifted individuals and/or groups who are willing to go out of their own way to help others.
As the spring season blooms with vibrant colors and the promise of new beginnings, it’s a time of celebration for many communities. Among the myriad of joyous occasions, one particularly special event stands out – the graduation of high school seniors. This year, as we bid farewell, our local area high schools are taking a step further and Spanning the Need is honoring and spotlighting the achievements of these bright young minds. This week’s featured is Mackenzie Riccitelli from Boardman High School.
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Name: Mackenzie Riccitelli
School: Boardman High School
Class: Class of 2024
GPA: 4.0
Bio (no more than 1 paragraphs)
Mackenzie Riccitelli is a senior at Boardman High School in Ohio. She loves sports and spending time with her friends and family. If she is not in class, you can find Mackenize working out or practicing in the gym. She enjoys going to Florida and taking walks on the beach. Additionally, she loves animals, especially dogs. Her school and community have made such an impact on her that she wants to come back and teach at Boardman High School.
Curbstone Coaches HOF Spotlight: Bob LaRicca, Basketball, Coach(Opens in a new browser tab)
What are your plans after graduation?
Attend the College of Wooster to continue my academic and athletic (basketball) career.
What is your favorite class?
Math
What accomplishments during your high school journey are you most proud of, and how do you feel they have shaped you as an individual?
Maintaining my 4.0 gpa is something I am very proud of. It shows that I can be dedicated and disciplined, because I am able to balance my academics and my sports. I am also proud to have been inducted into the National Honor Society. It has provided me many opportunities to help give back to my community. I was also able to hit 1000 career points this January in basketball. It is a goal I had been working toward for my entire basketball career.
Beyond academics, what extracurricular activities, volunteering in the community or passions have played a crucial role in your high school life, and how have they influenced your future goals
Sports, especially basketball, have been a major part of my high school career. I have been a 4-year varsity starter for basketball, and a 4-year letter winner in cross country and (hopefully) track. My accomplishments in sports have taught me the value of hard work and discipline, and that I can achieve anything I put my mind to. Additionally, I enjoy volunteering through Big Spartan/Little Spartan and Amigos & Amicis, where I have the chance to work with elementary students as a role model and mentor, and teach them Italian. I also enjoy leading youth basketball camps and leagues because I love watching young girls learn the sport of basketball and grow and improve both on and off the court.
What is the most memorable moment in your scholastic career?
Getting inducted into the National Honor Society and the National Italian Honor Society.
As you reflect on your time in high school, is there a teacher or mentor who made a lasting impression on you? What made their impact so meaningful?
I can’t choose just one, because so many of my teachers and coaches have had a huge impact on me. My basketball coach, Coach Hammerton, has taught me so much – not only just about basketball, but also about life. He taught me to never settle and never give up. He sparked my passion for the game, and because of him, I aspire to also coach basketball one day. Allie O’Brien is another basketball coach of mine. She has helped me immensely, always encouraging and supporting me and offering me great advice. She has shown me what strength and perseverance look like, and taught me to keep going and appreciate the good things in life. Coach Sypert is my track and cross country coach, and was also my AP Bio teacher. He has been a big part of my life for the past 4 years. He understands me and always finds a way to lift me up when I am down and show me what I am capable of. He has cheered me on in every sport and every part of my high school experience.
What is your favorite sports related movie?
Rise
What is your favorite food?
Hibachi chicken and rice
What song best describes you or is the soundtrack to your life?
Unstoppable by Sia
Do you have a field of study already chosen when you go to college? Why that field?
Double major in education and mathematics, minor in physical education. I want to be a high school math teacher and coach. I have been so inspired by my math teachers over the years, and I really enjoy working with numbers. Teaching math seemed like a natural choice for me. In addition, I would love to coach basketball and track. A minor in physical education will help me to do that.
Who is your role model?
My parents
SAOTW, Ava Valko-Boardman Spartans(Opens in a new browser tab)
If there was one person you would want to meet, past or present, who would it be and why?
Kobe Bryant because he was very knowledgeable about not only the game of basketball, but also about mentality.
A favorite quote by which you live.
“It’s better to shoot and miss, than to let time run out and wonder what if.”- Michael Jordan
