Members of the 2022-23 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
Members of the 2022-23 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee

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FHSAA Announces 2023-2024 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee

Committee to feature 10 new students, with 6 returning members

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) has announced the new members of the 2023-2024 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). This year, the FHSAA will be welcoming in ten new students into the committee, along with six returning members.

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) was established in 2008.  The committee serves as a critical link in identifying topics, issues and concerns that face the student-athletes of the Florida. 

This year, the Association received over sixty applications from students across Florida. These members were chosen based on their sports participation, extracurriculars, essay, and leadership skills. 

The SAAC committee will meet three times a year to discuss their issues, share their perspective and create special initiatives for the school year.  Their meetings will be held on October 9, 2023; January 22, 2024; and March 4, 2024. 

The following FHSAA student-athletes represent the 2023-2024 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee:
  • Luca Balzano, Benjamin School (Palm Beach Gardens) – Luca is senior from Benjamin School. Luca has participated in basketball and soccer during his high school career. He is the founder and president of Athletic Fellowship Club, president of Veterans Appreciation Club and served as a peer advisor at his school.  While volunteering with Veterans Appreciation Club, Luca led a collection drive for hospitalized veterans and created care packages for them.  Through his membership with the SAAC, Luca hopes to assist with student-athletes who are struggling with injuries and help to create balance between academics and athletics.
  • Katherine Collins, Everglades City School – Katherine, a returning member and senior from Everglades City, is a member of her school’s volleyball and softball teams. Katherine is a member of her school’s advisory council, student government and Make-A-Wish Southern Florida Youth Leadership Committee. Her freshman year, Katherine created an online tutoring program for Algebra.  Katherine has a goal of creating awareness programs for cyberbullying in an effort to promote good sportsmanship between schools.
  • Alexa Condella, Key West High School – A junior from Key West High School, Alexa has participated in softball, volleyball and weightlifting throughout her high school career. In addition to athletics, Alexa is serves on class executive board, student council and is a member of Beta Club and Z Club. As class president, she worked to grow school spirit and build community within her school.  Alexa’s goal for the SAAC is to advocate for women’s sports and grow the junior officials program.
  • Ryan Harrison Jr., Wildwood Middle High School – Ryan is a junior from Wildwood Middle High School.  Throughout his high school career, Ryan has participated in football and basketball. Ryan is a member of National Honor Society, Student-Athlete Leadership Team, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  He volunteers with local organizations as a youth coach/mentor during intramural leagues. Ryan also serves with his church, participates in the Lake-Sumter State College ETS program, and is owner of a sports media company. During his time on the SAAC, Ryan’s goal is to help students take pride in playing for their school, promote good sportsmanship and develop student leaders.
  • Jackson Hollis, Clearwater Central Catholic – Jackson is a junior from Clearwater Central Catholic High School and has participated in basketball, football, and track and field throughout his high school career. He is a member of Drama Club, student government and is a school ambassador.  Outside of school, Jackson volunteers with his church on mission trips.  Jackson’s goal with the SAAC is to help student-athletes with time management.
  • Alyvia Logan, Winter Haven High School – Alyvia is a returning member and two-sport senior from Winter Haven High School participating in competitive cheerleading and weightlifting. This summer, Alyvia was a student ambassador for the Florida Student-Athlete Leadership Seminar and represented Florida at the National Student Leadership Summit.  Alyvia is a member of student government, Key Club, Culture Connection and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. With student government, Alyvia oversees Spirit Week, Homecoming, and Prom for her school.  Her goal for the SAAC is to help students create balance between academics and athletics.
  • Ethan Luce, Spanish River High School (Boca Raton) – A senior from Spanish River High School, Ethan plays volleyball for his school. In addition to athletics, Ethan is a member of student government, Chick-Fil-A Leadership Academy, Computer Science Honors Society, and RAH School Spirit Club.  Outside of the classroom, Ethan volunteers with Mission Fishin and Tri-County Animal Rescue.  Through his membership on the SAAC, Ethan hopes to create training programs to help student-athletes manage their time, develop good study habits, and use resources efficiently.
  • Kaylee Mahony, Bishop Kenny High School (Jacksonville) – Kaylee is a senior soccer and tennis player for Bishop Kenny High School. She is serving her second year on the SAAC.  Kaylee is a member of Interact Club, Spanish Club, Diversity Student Union, and History Club.  Kaylee volunteers with TOPS Soccer which teaches kids with disabilities the game of soccer. During her time on the SAAC, Kaylee has a goal of helping student-athletes create bonds within their teams.
  • Michael Miller, Crystal River High School – Michael is a returning member and senior from Crystal River who plays basketball and baseball for his school. Michael is a member of the Superintendents Advisory Council, National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. This upcoming school year, Michael will serve as Secretary on the Superintendent’s Advisory Council.  Michael’s goal with SAAC is to enact positive change by sharing his ideas to make Florida the best place to play sports.
  • Isabella Pecina, Colonial Christian School (Homestead) – Isabella is a basketball and volleyball player from Colonial Christian School.  The returning member and senior served as a student ambassador Florida Student-Athlete Leadership Seminar this past summer. She is a member of Student Council, Ministry Academy and works with her middle school basketball program.  Isabella volunteers with her church and works at a local fruit stand.  As a member of the SAAC, Isabella hopes to ensure there is equal opportunities for both girls and boys in the athletic world.
  • McMain Reineke, The First Academy (Orlando) – McMain is a junior cross country runner and lacrosse and soccer player from The First Academy. This past summer, McMain attended the Florida Student-Athlete Leadership Seminar.  She is a member of Student Advisory Council, Dance Marathon, and founder of Child Psychology Development Club. She volunteers her time with TOPS Soccer. McMain’s goal with the SAAC is to create more opportunities for school spirit and community with underrepresented sports.
  • Jose Silva, Avon Park - A junior from Avon Park, Jose participates in cross country, track and field, and basketball. The three-sport athlete is a member of his school’s Robotics Team and plays AAU Basketball.  Through his work on the Robotics Team, Jose has learned leadership and teamwork skills that he applies to his athletic teams.  With his membership on the SAAC, Jose’s goal is to promote good sportsmanship. 
  • Zach Smith, Choctawhatchee High School (Fort Walton Beach) – Zach is a junior who participates in cross country, track and field, and swimming and diving at Choctawhatchee High School. This past summer, Zach attended the Florida Student-Athlete Leadership Seminar.  Outside of athletics, Zach is a member of National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Junior Lifeguards and Student Council. Zach’s goal with SAAC is to reevaluate and provide new ideas for state championship advancement.
  • Payton Thumm, Maclay School (Tallahassee) – Payton is junior cross country and track and field athlete from Maclay School. She is a member of French Honor Society, Green Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Pen Pal Club. She volunteers with Maclay’s Community Service Club.  Through her membership on the SAAC, Payton’s goal is to work with scheduling to improve the state championship experience.
  • Emersen Torres, Bishop McLaughlin High School (Spring Hill) – Emersen is a returning member and senior from Bishop McLaughlin High School who participates in swimming and diving.  This summer, Emersen was a student ambassador for the Florida Student-Athlete Leadership Seminar and represented Florida at the National Student Leadership Summit.  She is member of theater, Book Club, Art Club, and School Worship Band. She volunteers her time with Metropolitan Ministries. As a member of the SAAC, Emersen hopes to ensure there is consistency within policy and procedures and help prepare student-athletes for the future.
  • Caleb Williams, Ribault High School (Jacksonville) – A senior from Ribault, Caleb has played basketball all four years of high school. Outside of sports, Caleb is a member of National Honor Society, National Beta Club Honor Society, and 5000 Role Models of Excellence. In his spare time, Caleb volunteers with Philemon Community Church and serves a mentor for middle school athletics. During his time on SAAC, Caleb hopes to develop programs for time management training and advocate for student-athlete mental health.

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About the FHSAA
The Florida High School Athletic Association supervises and regulates interscholastic athletic programs for high school students at member public, private and charter schools. The organization also recognizes and honors academic achievement among student-athletes at over 800 middle, junior and senior high schools statewide. Headquartered in Gainesville, it is the official governing body for interscholastic athletics in Florida.