BURRILLVILLE – A three-sport varsity athlete from Burrillville High School who hopes to someday be a surgeon has been named Scholar Athlete of the Year by WJAR Channel 10 and contest sponsor Paul Masse Chevrolet.
BHS Senior Emilia Ferraro was chosen from nominees from across the state, presented in the station’s weekly segments throughout the fall season. Ferraro aims to pursue a career in the medical field, and was awarded a $5,000 scholarship to help with her education.
It is the first time a Burrillville student has received the award, which recognizes a young athlete who is excels in academics, sports, and community involvement throughout the year.
“We are so honored to support this remarkable young lady in her future endeavors,” noted Masse Chevrolet, Buick in announcing the recipient. “Keep up your hard work and determination — you will go far.”
Ferraro served as captain of the Broncos girls volleyball team, which won it’s first title in 33 years this season. She also plays basketball and lacrosse.
She has also excelled academically as a member of the National Honor Society with a 4.19 GPA. As a junior, she was accepted for a summer research internship in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Department at Brown University, and was hired back to continue her work there again this past summer.
WJAR interviewed the young athlete and her family for a segment this week.
“Emilia is very well-rounded. She never sleeps,” said her mother, Erin Ferraro. “She puts in her heart and soul into everything that she does. We’re just so proud of her. She’s just such a great person, a great teammate, a wonderful daughter… we’re so blessed.”
Burrillville High School Athletic Director John Abbate was also interviewed for the segment, and he noted that on paper, the decision on who to nominate for the award, “was really tight.”
But with a deeper look, “Emilia just blew everybody away,” said Abbate. “It was just such a well-deserved award for a great young lady.”
“I’ve always said she’s just a great person to be around and follows what she wants to do, which is to be a great person and to work hard,” said her father, Gennaro Ferraro.
“I’m truly honored to receive this, and I’m just proud to represent my town, my family and my school,” said award winner Ferraro.
