Hendrick Hudson High School standout senior Kaitlyn Raguso has earned lots of honors on the basketball court and is an honors student off the court. She’s a member of three Honors Societies and is a perennial presence on High Honor Roll.
Cheered on by mom Stacy, basketball runs in the family, with dad Steve and siblings Stephen and Jaclyn also ballers.
The Con Edison winner is a two-time team captain who amassed more than 800 rebounds in her varsity career, was on the LoHud Journal News Super 7 Team, made All-State, All-Section, and All-League teams, and has a showcase full of MVP honors.
As a solid citizen in the community, she’s conducted youth basketball clinics, and been a Special Olympics volunteer and Math and Italian tutor.
This fall, Kaitlyn is headed to the University of Scranton (Pa.) to major in Nursing.
Q+A with Kaitlyn Raguso
RIVER JOURNAL NORTH (RJN) > At what age did you start playing sports?
KAITLYN RAGUSO (KR) > Around the age of 5, in soccer and basketball clinics. In 2nd grade, I was on my first basketball team for the Peekskill Rec League.
RJN > How do you motivate yourself?
KR > By focusing on my long-term goals, and breaking them down into day-by-day steps, allowing me to see the success forming and celebrating the small wins along the way. In the end I just visualize my goals and the success I’m working toward.
RJN > How do you manage your time?
KR > I prioritize my commitments by creating a schedule [and] being consistent. I set aside time for practicing basketball and working out, studying or homework, and spending time with family or friends, and leaving time for self-care to not burn out.
RJN > What is the most rewarding part of athletics for you?
KR > The accomplishments after pushing to my limits [and] the relationships I’ve built with teammates and coaches, my second family. Also rewarding is the opportunity to inspire others to pursue their own goals, especially the younger girls coming up.
RJN > Who has inspired you?
KR > My family always believes in me, no matter the circumstances, and keeps me focused every season. My dad would drop anything he was doing to come to the gym and rebound for me and help improve my game. Watching professional athletes who have overcome difficulties inspires me to keep pushing forward as well.
RJN > What is your most satisfying single achievement?
KR > Getting my 1000th point, and achieving a high GPA, while balancing my athletic commitments. Both felt like major milestones that required a lot of effort and dedication throughout my years in high school.
RJN > How would you describe your experience as a student-athlete in a single sentence?
KR > Being a student-athlete has been very rewarding for me, but a challenging journey at the same time because it requires a lot of discipline, balance, and resilience, but it has ultimately shaped me into the person I am today, and has shown me to always stick to believing in yourself.
