The Guilford Youth Lacrosse Association (GYLA) presented its annual awards to four student-athletes who participate in the program. The awards were handed out at the GYLA’s recent postseason picnic that took place at Jacobs Beach on June 12.

Each year, the Harvey Potter Award is presented to a 7th-grade player from both the GYLA’s boys’ and girls’ programs who most strongly embody the principles of genuine sportsmanship, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence on and off the field, as well as in the classroom. Each recipient receives a plaque, along with $500 to assist with additional lacrosse training during the offseason. This year’s recipients of the Harvey Potter Award were Santino Gambardella and Scout Climie. A large plaque featuring the names of all Harvey Potter Award recipients is on display in the Guilford Community Center.

This year, the GYLA’s Coaches’ Award was renamed the Ethan Song Coaches’ Award to honor the personal qualities that the late Ethan Song brought to his lacrosse teams. The award will be annually presented to one 7th-grade boy and one 7th-grade girl who have made significant contributions to the overall success of their teams. This year’s winners of the Ethan Song Coaches’ Award were Emily Hopkins and Luke Carignan, who have demonstrated these qualities by putting their teams above themselves and making others around them better, while exhibiting outstanding sportsmanship, work ethic, a competitive spirit, and a fun-loving attitude that collectively honors the game of lacrosse.

Information courtesy of Paul Farren