Walter Panas High School Inducts 2024 Hall Of Fame Honorees

SHRUB OAK, NY — A new group of student athletes has achieved immortality in the hallowed halls of the Lakeland Central School District

From the Lakeland Central School District.

Walter Panas High School inducted the honorees into the 2024 Hall of Fame as part of a half-time ceremony during the Panas-Poughkeepsie football game on Sept. 13. The honorees included the 2017 Varsity Girls Volleyball Team; Yvette Burcescu '18, volleyball; Sabrina Patriciello '18, volleyball; and Nick Perrone '19, bowling.

The Panas Panthers beat the Poughkeepsie Pioneers with a score of 55-14.

2017 Varsity Girls Volleyball Team

The Walter Panas Varsity Volleyball team was undefeated in 2017 with a record of 25-0 taking home the New York State Class A Championship title for the second consecutive year. The team captured the League, Section and Regional Championships on their way to the State Championship and also won the Harold Van Earden (Burnt Hills) Tournament.

Coached by Joe Felipe since 2003, the team was named a NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete team. A number of players also received individual honors throughout the year. Seniors, Yvette Burcescu, Lauren Feeley, Sabrina Patriciello, Julene Pineda and Demi Spanos along with junior Jenn Braun received All League, All County and All Section honors. Jillian Dolman and Kirsten Yager, along with the others, received All League honors. Sabrina Patriciello and Demi Spanos were named to the all Tournament Team for the NYS Final Four.

Two of the players, Yvette Burcescu and Sabrina Patriciello, are also being inducted individually this year. See the rest of their athletic highlights below.

Assistant coaches for the winning season include Kurt Pelaccio and Ashley (Murphy) Felipe.

Yvette Burcescu

A Class of 2018 graduate, Yvette Burcescu had an extremely successful athletic career at Walter Panas High School. The 6'2" outside hitter played varsity for five years, earning All Section honors from 2014-2017. LoHud Player of the year from 2015-2017, Burcescu was also named LoHud’s Player of the Decade and was an All American athlete. Gatorade NYS Player of the Year in 2016, she was also the NYS Championship MVP in 2016 and 2017, helping the Panthers win two NYS Championships and making the finals for a third year. Their record of 104-16 also earned them three Sectional and Regional titles.

Burcescu, who also earned an Under Armour honorable mention, holds the school record for single season kills with 766 (total career 2,690). She also holds the record for single season aces having 134 in 2017 (total career 370).

Sabrina Patriciello

A Class of 2018 graduate, Sabrina Patriciello was named an All Section player throughout her high school career in volleyball. The 5'7" setter and libero played on varsity for five years contributing to a 104-16 record. The Panthers won three regional and sectional titles during her years on the court, and clinched two state Championships, and played in the State Finals for a third year.

A Con Edison Player of the Week, Patriciello had a career serving percentage of 92 percent. She holds the second highest school record in aces at 320 and holds the team record of single season digs with 587, as well as having 1,718 career digs. She was named to the All State team in 2016 and 2017.

Nick Perrone

Nick Perrone '19, a two-time individual New York State Champion, helped lead the Panas Bowling team to a New York State Championship. A member of the team for six years, Nick was a powerhouse on the lanes with many honors including All Section honors in 2018 with the highest pin average in Section 1 at 234. Nick’s total career pin average of 251 puts him at the top of the game.

A Con Edison Player of the Week, he was also a two-time individual Section 1 champion.

"Tonight we welcome back distinguished athletes of the past and recognize them for their outstanding accomplishments," said Rebecca DiSisto-Leslie, director of physical education, health and athletics. "Congratulations to our new inductees in the Walter Panas High School Hall of Fame...This is a wonderful event that showcases the talents and character of our community and brings us together to celebrate. The Walter Panas athletic community takes pride in the athletes that come through our programs and encourages families to continue these traditions."

This release was produced by the Lakeland Central School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.