Brianna McDonald has a take-no-prisoners philosophy on the lacrosse field. The teenager plays hard and she plays to win. A member of Huntington High School’s Class of 2016, she is this year’s recipient of the Team Piccola Scholar-Athlete Community Award.
Robert Piccola presented the $1,000 scholarship to Ms. McDonald at the 48th annual Blue Devil senior athletic awards dinner in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium in June. Mr. Piccola and his wife, Diana are the parents of twins in Huntington’s Class of 2018.
Mr. Piccola is a longtime Huntington Village Lacrosse Club coach. The Piccola scholarship was created to recognize those who play for the love of the game and who are truly interested in experiencing lacrosse in its full flavor.
Ms. McDonald is headed to Fairfield University in Connecticut to study nursing. She is interested in participating in club level lacrosse during college.
“I am not only very grateful to receive the Piccola scholarship, but also honored,” Ms. McDonald said. “It will be a tremendous help toward pursuing my degree in nursing.”
Brianna McDonald with the ball
A member of five different academic honor societies, Ms. McDonald served as the G.O. historian and as a Relay For Life committee chair. The founder of Athletes Helping Athletes, the senior volunteered with Huntington High School’s Habitat for Humanity chapter and participated in the yearbook club.
Before choosing Fairfield University, Ms. McDonald considered the University of Delaware, Catholic University of America, University of Connecticut, Rutgers University and Penn State.
The teenager sparkled on the lacrosse field for the Blue Devils and developed a well-earned reputation for her aggressive defensive play. At one time or another she also played high school soccer and was a member of the swim team.
The new alum hopes to join Fairfield’s Student Nursing Association and participate in Relay For Life and Colleges Against Cancer on the campus.
Team Piccola scholarship recipient Brianna McDonald.
Honored as a Distinguished Senior after compiling an academic average of at least a 90 in every high school semester, Ms. McDonald attributes her success at Huntington to “determination and focus paired with support from family, friends and teachers.”
Class of 2015 member Fiona Geier won the first Team Piccola scholarship in June 2015. She recently completed her freshman year at American University where she is studying health promotion. Ms. Geier started all 17 American women’s lacrosse games in goal.
It’s been a busy summer for Ms. McDonald who has been employed as a camp counselor at the Bay Club, working with third and fourth grade girls. She has also been babysitting and working a second job in the village.