Elwood-John H. Glenn High School seniors Mariel Fusco and James Mossey were recently selected as the winners of the 2025 Suffolk Zone Awards. The Suffolk Zone Chapter of the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance annually gives awards to one male and one female student in each Suffolk high school, selected for excellent achievement in physical education, outstanding character and leadership in schoolwide activities.

Fusco participates in competitive figure skating outside of school, a year-round highly technical sport that requires significant dedication and training. She is also very involved in John Glenn’s music department, singing in the school’s chorus and Acapelwood vocal group ensemble, and has earned NYSCAME All-County honors. In her free time, Fusco enjoys volunteering at her church’s Sunday school.

“I was kind of surprised, honestly, to win Suffolk Zone, but I feel very happy to be able to receive this award,” Fusco said.

Mossey played three soccer at John Glenn for three years, first as a freshman and sophomore on the junior varsity team. He took a gap year as a junior to play golf, but joined the varsity soccer team as a senior, just in time to serve as a starting defender for a Glenn team that went on to be league and county champions, the No. 1 Class A playoff seed and the seventh-ranked team in New York State. In tennis, he has played for Glenn all four years, the last three on the varsity team, and qualified for the county tournament twice. Mossey is also involved in music at school, playing clarinet in school’s band and pit orchestra and earning NYSCAME All-County honors.

“I place a high value on academics, and really value trying your best in classes and putting yourself in a situation to succeed,” Mossey said. “I was also pretty surprised, but I felt very honored to receive the Suffolk Zone award. I was happy to know I earned it, as I do my best in physical education class.”

Both students earned summa cum laude designation for achieving a weighted GPA between 96.50 and 100, and they earned recognition from the College Board, with Fusco being named an AP Scholar with Honor and Mossey being named an AP Scholar with Distinction.

“From my standpoint, these are two excellent physical education students,” Athletic Director Dave Shanahan said. “Most importantly, they have shown outstanding character.”

Date Added: 3/21/2025