Each month throughout the academic year, River Journal will be saluting top high school student-athletes from its coverage area. The series begins with Briarcliff High School.
ANGELINA DONAHUE, SENIOR
Donahue drives herself to excel – and it shows.
She is a four-year varsity starter in volleyball and lacrosse. Despite taking the most advanced classes, she compiled a 99.83 grade-point average through her junior year. She is co-vice president of the National Honor Society at Briarcliff, a member of Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society and, as a junior, was a member of the National French Honor Society.
“I push myself in athletics to be the best I can be and to put 100 percent into everything,” Donahue said. “I’m making sure I’m turning in the best assignments possible, that I’m studying for every test.”
She plays a key role as a setter in volleyball, ideally positioning a teammate for a decisive hit that secures the point. She has competed in lacrosse since she was 5 and plays attack for the Bears.
Donahue is appreciated for her ability to help build team chemistry by connecting with teammates away from the field. “I feel I am best friends with my teammates in both sports, which is very important,” she said.
She is in the process of applying for college. The University of Texas at Austin is her “dream school.”
“I visited it and loved the atmosphere,” she said. She also has interest in Villanova and Indiana. She looks forward to maintaining her drive and determination wherever she goes.
ALEXANDER SALVATI, SENIOR
Salvati also is a two-sport athlete. He is in his third year as a varsity soccer player and looks forward to being part of the varsity basketball team for the second winter. His academic performance has improved every year, leading to a 98.9 grade-point average.
Salvati credits his academic success to “knowing how to use my time effectively so I get my homework done and studying and never falling behind.”
He is a member of the National Honor Society and the Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society in addition to receiving the AP Scholar Award.
Salvati helped to lead the way when the Bears’ soccer team advanced to the Class B final last year and finished with a 9-7-3 record. The team won five of its first six games this year with two ties.
varsity soccer player.
Salvati possesses the versatility to be a midfielder, which is a defensive-minded position, or to be on the attack as a forward. “What he does is invaluable for us,” said soccer coach Paul Bordonaro. “He doesn’t worry about accolades or anything like that. It’s the success of our team.”
Said Salvati, “I think I’ve always been a team-first person. I always care more about the culture and the success of everybody else before myself.”
The University of Virginia currently tops his wish list.
