3 St. Francis Prep Students Named Scholar Athletes

FRESH MEADOWS, QUEENS — Three students at St. Francis Preparatory School have been named scholar athletes by the Rising Stars Youth Foundation.

Freshmen Tyler Michel and Hayden Cutile and junior Jonathan Medley are attending the Fresh Meadows private school thanks to the Rising Stars Scholars Program.

Students are selected for their academic and athletic promise and receive scholarships to attend the best New York City and Long Island private schools with basketball programs, according to a news release.

“The Rising Stars Youth Foundation transforms young lives, allowing boys and girls to obtain academic opportunities in high school or prep school — and ultimately college — that may have otherwise been out of reach,” Dan Gimpel, executive director of the Rising Stars Youth Foundation, said in a statement

Medley, a Laurelton resident, said his dream has always been to make it to the NBA or work as a sports commentator.

"My main goal overall though is to just be able to help my family and others in the future as I mature into the best man I can possibly be,” he said.

Cutile, too, has dreams of pursuing basketball after high school by playing the sport for a NCAA Division I university: “This has been my goal ever since I started playing basketball,” he said.

Michel, of Cambria Heights, said he loves basketball for what it has taught him on and off the court.

"I have goals of having a very successful basketball career and using what I have to learn to help others, especially those that may not have been granted the same opportunities as I am so fortunate to have," he said. "I have dreams to make it to the NBA one day and, most importantly, dreams of making an impact on my community.”