Lydia Ware, a senior at Averill Park High School, has been named one of the 10 scholastic award recipients for 2020 by the Capital District Sports Women of the Year.
Lydia, who competes in soccer and track & field, will be recognized at the first-ever Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Gala on May 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the GE Theatre at Proctors in Schenectady. Tickets for the Gala will go on sale on Monday, April 13 at proctors.org and at the Proctors Box Office.
The Capital District Sports Women of the Year (CDSWOY) honors the best and brightest female student athletes from high schools and colleges in the Capital District of New York State. The student-athletes will be recognized for their achievements in academics, athletics and community service. More information is provided at the website, cdswoy.com.
Academically, Lydia is Valedictorian of the APHS class of 2020 and a member of the National Honor Society. Other honors include recognition as a National Merit Scholarship Corporation Finalist, recipient of the Rensselaer Medal Award, New York State Capital District Society of Women Engineers Certificate of Merit, CASDA Capital Region Scholar, NYS Scholarship for Academic Excellence, and Averill Park High School Academic Excellence Awards for thirteen courses over the span of her freshman through junior years. Lydia received Rensselaer County Legislature Commendation in her freshman, sophomore and junior years, which is awarded to the top five students per class in Averill Park High School. Lydia participated in the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth program, where she also earned High Honors (awarded to the top 30% of selected students).
Lydia’s athletic highlights include: Varsity member of the soccer team with Scholar-Athlete honors for three seasons, Brunswick Soccer Club age-level travel team from 2011-19, Varsity member of the track & field team with Scholar-Athlete honors all four seasons, Suburban Scholastic Council All-Star Award in outdoor track, APHS Coach Aldi Athleticism, Leadership, Dedication and Integrity Award, qualifier for New York State Outdoor Championships in the 100m and 200m, APHS outdoor record holder in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m and 4x400m relay, APHS Most Outstanding Track Performer Award, indoor record holder in the 55m, 400m, 4x200m, 4x400m, and sprint medley relays, qualifier for New York State Indoor Championships in the 55m, third place in the NY State Intersectional Relay, Penn Relays Wheel 4x400m, Times Union High School Track & Field All Star, Second Team Suburban Scholastic Council All-Star, APHS Most Outstanding Sprinter, APHS Most Outstanding Scholar Athlete, and APHS Rising Star Award.
Lydia’s community service includes the following: Averill Park Student-Athlete Advisory Council (nominated by coach to serve on the committee promoting sportsmanship, leadership, and community service in APHS Athletics). Secretary and co-founder of the APHS Science Club. Camper in Leadership Training (CILT) and Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) program participant at Camp Cedarbrook in the Adirondacks. Music Ministries, Child Nurture Ministries, Vacation Bible School volunteer, and Audio/Visual Ministries at Brunswick Church.
CDSWOY will announce the next student-athlete on March 25 and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through April 7.
Testimonials:
“Lydia is one of those few student-athletes that you come across that just has it all. She is a tremendous student, talented athlete, and serves her school, community, and church in a variety of ways. I believe that Lydia is the definition of the Capital District Sports Women of the Year. I honestly do not know how she does so much with such little free time yet continues to excel at all that she does.”
-Mark Bubniak, Athletic Director
“Lydia plans to compete at the college level in track & field and study medicine. Her work ethic and focus will allow her to be successful both athletically and academically at the next level. She is a positive and strong role model for younger teammates and classmates and is a tremendous help to our coaching staff.”
-Zach Gobel, Head Football Coach, Head Indoor Track & Field Coach
“Beyond being one of the best sprinters ever at Averill Park, I can honestly say that she is a model citizen that goes above and beyond for her teammates and coaches. She is the valedictorian of her class while taking many college level and advanced placement courses. She excels in time management and is also able to balance all her passions. At all times I have found Lydia to be self-motivated, reliable, hard-working, dedicated, honest and courteous.”
-Nathan Luskin, Varsity Girls Outdoor Track & Field Coach, Varsity Girls Soccer Coach
