On Sunday April 28, 2024, three Guilderland High School students, DeNaezia Henderson, Avery Kerr and Cole Miller, received the 2024 Capital Zone High School Physical Education Leadership Award from the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NYS AHPERD).
These students were recognized for their high level of physical performance in athletics and physical education, leadership both in and out of the classroom, scholastic achievement and service to their school and community.
DeNaezia, Avery, and Cole were honored along with other high school students from across the Capital Region at an awards banquet, held at the Italian American Community Center. Each student was honored with a reading of their accomplishments and a plaque. We are incredibly proud of these students for all they have done during their time at GHS. We wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors!
Following are the students’ profiles that were featured in the banquet program:
DeNaezia Henderson
DeNaezia is a member of Best Buddies, Unified Basketball, Unified PE, and the school to work program at Guilderland High School. As an athlete on the Unified Basketball team, she enjoys all aspects of the game including being with her friends and teammates. She enjoys traveling to all the different schools. DeNaezia also enjoys working with her peer buddy, Sue, in Best Buddies. She has great conversations with her and appreciates all the activities they do together. DeNaezia works at a pet store for her school programming. She is able to spend time with different animals and learn her way around the store, taking on responsibilities similar to the employees. Her boss states: “DeNaezia is a very hard worker” which made her feel confident and appreciated. DeNaezia is also involved in a recreational respite program. She meets new friends on the weekends by attending field trips, movies, “a girl’s night”, and boat riding.
Future plans: DeNaezia will continue her education and career skills program with a local organization this fall.
Avery Kerr
Recognized in January 2024 as the Times Union Athlete of the Week, Avery Kerr helped lead the GHS track team to three Sectional titles, is a three-time Sectional Champion in individual events, and competes at the national level. She began club soccer at age six and continues her love of the sport, named Captain of the GHS varsity team. Avery has been Class of 2024 Vice President for all four years, serves as Publicist for Chem Club, and helps to run various other clubs. She maintains a 4.0 GPA and was honored with the Smith College Book Award. She values giving back to the community and has earned the 200+ hour award from GHS, working mostly with Guilderland youth and at the food pantry. In PE class, sports, and school clubs, Avery always aims to make her classmates feel included and to bring the community together.
Future plans: Tufts University/ Health Sciences, Track & Field and Soccer
Cole Miller
Physical education has played a key role in Cole’s life. Cole demonstrates his leadership in different ways by being a part of a variety of Unified programs such as Unified Bocce, Unified Bowling and Unified Physical Education. Cole is a bronze and gold medalist as a part of the Unified Guilderland State Bocce team in which he has competed the past two years as a partner for the Special Olympics. Cole recently advocated on behalf of Special Olympics in Washington D.C to speak with members of Congress as he was a part of the New York delegation for “Hill Day”. Cole has been a captain of the varsity baseball team for the past two seasons. He has received the most valuable pitcher award for the Guilderland varsity team in both his freshman and junior seasons. Cole has been a first and second team All-Star in the suburban council in his sophomore and junior campaigns. Cole received the NYS AHPERD Physical Education Leadership Award in both his fifth and eighth grade years. Cole aims to be inclusive to all students and people he comes in contact with. His involvement in Unified Physical Education and other unified programming has truly made him stand out as a Difference Maker beyond the classroom and playing field.
Future Plans: Wake Forest University, Psychology, Baseball