Waterville Football Team Recognized by NYSSBA for ‘Empathy, Care and Thoughtfulness’

The Waterville Central School District varsity football team was recognized Oct. 20 by the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA).

The team was presented with a banner recognizing its “empathy, care and thoughtfulness shown by singing happy birthday to (and) dining with a younger student and paying forward a monetary gift to restaurant staff.”

Earlier this year, members of the Waterville football team gathered at a restaurant.

A member of the restaurant staff asked the players if they would sing “Happy Birthday” to a 12-year-old boy at the restaurant.

The football team agreed without hesitation and made the family’s night.

Another patron in the restaurant gave the team $50 to help pay for their meal, because of the team’s act of caring. The team paid it forward, leaving the money as a tip for the meal.

“Your contribution to a positive district and community culture is to be commended and celebrated,” NYSSBA continued on the banner.

“I am proud of the caring culture that our student-athletes and coaches have helped build here in Waterville. This is a great representation of all of our students,” said athletic director Tom Gifford.