2006-2007 OCIAA Scholar Athlete Awards
Varsity athletes Behnke and Campbell recognized for academic achievement
 

OCIAA Scholar Athletes Lucas Behnke and McCallion Campbell are pictured with Assistant Superintendent for Instruction John Bell (left) and High School Principal Tony DiMarco at the May 17 awards banquet.

Each year the Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association (OCIAA) honors a boy and girl scholar-athlete from its member schools. The scholar-athletes are chosen by each school based on their athletic, academic, and extracurricular accomplishments.

This year, Port Jervis High School seniors McCallion Campbell and Lucas Behnke were the two Raider athletes selected to receive the distinguished Scholar-Athlete award. The awards were presented May 17 at an awards banquet at Kuhl's Highland House in Middletown.

Lucas Behnke is a well-rounded student who is actively involved in his school, community, and church.  Ranked number one out of a class of 221 students, Lucas has achieved this honor by maintaining a grade point average of 97.57 in a highly-demanding curriculum.

Athletics and extra-curricular activities have always played an important role in his high school life. For the past four years, Lucas has been a dedicated member of the Port Jervis High School football, basketball, and baseball teams. As a result of his demonstrated leadership abilities and impeccable sportsmanship, Lucas was selected by his teammates to serve as co-captain of the Raider varsity football team this past season. 

Next year, Lucas will attend Syracuse University where he will major in English and Textual Studies with a minor in Sports Journalism. Lucas is the son of Larry and Toni Behnke.

McCallion Campbell is a standout on and off the field. Ranked in the top fifth of her class, McCallion has a grade point average of 96.6.

Campbell, who served as captain of the Port Jervis varsity girls softball team, recently signed a letter of intent to continue her softball career next year at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY. The four-year varsity starter was awarded an athletic and academic scholarship to represent Marist in Division I competition in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

In 2006, the standout pitcher helped lead the Raider softball team to victories at the Division and Section IX championships. Her performance earned her recognition at the region and state level - as Sunday Record first-team All-Star and as a member of the All-State third-team.

McCallion also plays soccer and is an exceptional volleyball player. In addition to serving as captain of the volleyball team, she is captain of the volleyball team, Varsity Club secretary, and wrestling team manager.

A member of the National Honor Society, McCallion also serves as class vice president and is involved in numerous school activities including the Spanish Club, Culinary Arts Club, and SADD.

This fall, she plans to major in mathematics/secondary education at Marist College. McCallion is the daughter of Dave and Victoria Campbell.