By Keenbelynn Bellande
¨Put the work in...inside and out of school. Never settle for less.¨ - Kevin DeCristoforo
¨If you think you´re in love with one sport, another one can change your mind just like that. Go for it.¨
-Sanaia Estime
After a year and a half of unorthodox teaching and learning, we are slowly getting back to normalcy. These unorthodox situations did not only affect those in the classrooms. It also took a toll on our athletes. Despite all of these unprecedented hardships, Sanaia Estime and Kevin DeCristoforo have claimed their respective spots as the top players of Long Island in the year 2021 and were showcased in Newsday at the end of the fall sports season.
Kevin DeCristoforo, a current senior at West Hempstead High School, plays a key role on our Boys Varsity Soccer team as the central defender. When speaking with DeCristoforo, he describes his journey as having a number of “ups and downs.” In saying this, he refers to the off season or low points in his career where things may not have been going as planned. In spite of this, he believes that these low points were just as, if not more crucial than the achievements. He describes himself as a more confident player now as a result of the adversity that he has faced over the years.
DeCristoforo began playing soccer when he was four years old on the West Hempstead Chiefs soccer team. Since he began at such a young age, Kevin has played on a number of teams and these teams have shaped him into the player that he is today. It has made him a more confident and assertive leader. With that being said, playing on a varsity level with little or a lot of experience proves to be a difficult task no matter what. Both Sanaia Estime and Kevin DeCristoforo describe it as a change of pace. DeCristoforo specifically states that “the play of the game gets a lot faster,” compared to the pace played in Middle School.
In the same manner, Sanaia Estime also plays an essential role on the Girl’s Varsity Volleyball team as an outside hitter. After missing a majority of the regular prior season, Estime is grateful to hear that her coach still believes in her and thinks that she is off to a strong start. Estime began playing volleyball as just a hobby or to stay in shape. It essentially began as just a means to an end. She didn’t realize her full potential until her freshman year of high school, when she was accepted onto the varsity team with open arms. Although she quickly found her place on the team, it wasn’t always easy. She initially felt intimidated as the young freshman among experienced Juniors and Seniors on the team.
Estime had received one of the highest honors: The All County Award. Despite being down on herself or not realizing her full potential as a volleyball player, this award opened her eyes up to a whole new world of possibilities. She currently plays on a club team, Sportime. Being around players of different skill sets pushed Estime toward becoming a better athlete. She quickly began to go for balls and new skills that she wouldn’t typically do. Not only did she notice this change, so did her coach and teammates. Both Estime and DeCristoforo are involved in a number of extra curriculars. In addition to volleyball and soccer, Estime and DeCristoforo are part of the National Honor Society along with the Art Honor Society. How exactly do they balance it all? Both athletes claimed that it was a combination of time management and sheer determination.
Both athletes have clearly put in a lot of hardwork and effort to where they are now. What exactly does the future hold for them both? Estime along with DeCristoforo plan on playing at the collegiate level. They both hope that their respective programs, along with the West Hempstead Athletics Department, continue to flourish.
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