GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) has announced the new members of the 2025-26 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).  This year, the FHSAA will be welcoming eight (8) new students to the committee, along with eight (8) returning members.

The SAAC was established in 2008.  The committee serves as a critical link in identifying topics, issues, and concerns that face student athletes in Florida.  Each student selected serves the student-athletes in their respective sections of the state and will work on initiatives throughout the year to enhance the student-athlete experience in the state of Florida.

This year, the FHSAA received nearly 80 applications from students across the state.  These members were chosen based on their sports participation, extracurricular activities, essays, and demonstrated leadership skills.

The committee will meet three (3) times this year to discuss issues, share perspective, and create initiatives for the betterment of Florida high school sports.  The meetings will be held on October 6, 2025; January 26, 2026; and March 2, 2026.

The following FHSAA student-athletes represent the 2025-26 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee:

Sydney Daniel, Lincoln Park Academy (Fort Pierce) – Sydney is a returning member and junior from Lincoln Park Academy in Fort Pierce. Sydney has participated in cross country and track and field during her high school career. She is the Sports Editor-in-Chief of Lincoln Park Academy’s “Greyhound” newspaper and title holder of Miss High School Beauty 2024.  Sydney is also a member of Key Club, National Honor Society, Student Council, and IB Student Committee.  Through her membership with the Committee, Sydney intends to advocate for student-athlete mental health.  Sydney serves on the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Student-Athlete Advisory Committee as a representative of Section 3, which are the southeastern states.  This past summer, Sydney was a student ambassador for the Florida Student-Athlete Leadership Seminar and represented Florida at the National Student Leadership Summit in Indianapolis, where she also served as a speaker at the Summit.

Benjamin DiBlasi, Redeemer Christian (Ocala) – A junior from Redeemer Christian in Ocala, Benjamin has participated in baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer and tennis throughout his high school career. In addition to athletics, Benjamin is currently the yearbook editor, participates in drama, was previously a member of the National Junior Honor Society, is now a member of the National Honor Society, and serves in his schools’ FANS Club. Benjamin attends the Royal Family Kids Camp and volunteers his services at the camp.  Benjamin is passionate about the health and well-being of student athletes and would like to see teams provided the opportunity to condition and practice earlier, to prepare for the upcoming season, at the discretion of each school’s athletic director.

Leila Goll, The Bolles School (Jacksonville) – Leila, a senior from The Bolles School, is a member of her school’s basketball team. Leila has participated in the Hugh O’Brian Leadership Academy and Youth Leadership Jacksonville.  She is a member of Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Young Life. With her membership on the FHSAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Leila would like to foster an environment where athletes can compete at a high level while also maintaining relationships and strong mental health. 
 
Monica Heeg, Lemon Bay High School (Englewood) – Monica is a two-sport senior from Lemon Bay High School in Englewood.  Monica participates in swimming and diving and basketball. Monica is a member of National Honor Society, student government, Science National Honor Society, Interact, Think Pink, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Outside of athletics and academics, Monica volunteers with her church and children’s ministry.  Monica has a passion for uplifting others and hopes to inspire others to be positive in tough situations. 

Christian Hodges, Brandon High School - Christian is a senior football player from Brandon High School in Brandon. He is a member of the Black Student Union and volunteers his time at Feeding Tampa Bay. As a member of the FHSAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Christian hopes to implement a process for regular mental wellness check-ups for student-athletes.  Understanding the pressures that student-athletes face, Christian would like to see these check-ups available at any time during school, by certified professionals at each school.  His goal is to leave Florida high school athletics better than he found them and to enhance communication, so all student-athletes feel supported, valued and heard completely.

Crosby Kappeler, Indian Rocks Christian (Largo) – Crosby is a junior three-sport athlete from Indian Rocks Christian School in Largo.  Crosby participates in cross country, soccer and track and field. He is a member of the National Honor Society serving on his school’s National Honor Society Executive Board.  He is in the Medical Club, serves as a student ambassador, provides student tutoring, is a long-time camp leader at his vacation bible school and has gone on multiple mission trips.  Crosby has a passion for empowering others, developing his leadership skills and volunteering. As a young student athlete, Crosby has overcome serious adversity and because of that, aspires to help the FHSAA develop more screenings and guidelines to help student-athletes suffer fewer injuries, which will hopefully lead to greater enjoyment while participating in the sports they love.

Ana-Sophia Laszewski, Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory (Hollywood) – A returning senior from Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School, Ana-Sophia is a member of her school’s basketball, flag football, and competitive cheerleading teams. In addition to athletics, Ana-Sophia is class president, and a member of Women Engage Club, Best Buddies, National Honor Society, and National Spanish Honor Society.  Through her continuing service on the FHSAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Ana-Sophia plans to continue to advocate for student-athlete mental health.  This past summer, Ana-Sophia represented Florida at the National Student Leadership Summit in Indianapolis.

Lawton Levoy, Mainland High School (Daytona Beach) – Lawton is a returning member and Senior flag football player at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach. Lawton participates in athletic training and is manager for the football and basketball teams. Lawton volunteers with Oceans Luxury Reality Community Movie Nights. During her time on the student-athlete advisory committee, Lawton wants to continue to be a voice for female athletic programs.  Lawton was a student ambassador for the Florida Student-Athlete Leadership Seminar this past summer, where she also served as a speaker.  In July, Lawton represented Florida at the National Student Leadership Summit in Indianapolis.

Gloria Lewis, Oakleaf High School (Orange Park) – Gloria, a senior from Oakleaf High School in Orange Park, has been a four-sport athlete.  She is a member of her school’s weightlifting, flag football, and track and field teams and competed in wrestling as a sophomore. Gloria also participates in chorus and is a member of the Science National Honor Society, Athletic Leadership Council, Link Crew, Rho Kappa and ModelUN.  As a captain of her weightlifting team, Gloria led and encouraged several freshmen to region qualifications and personal records.  She takes pride in lifting others up and looks forward to serving on the Florida High School Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, with her personal focus centered around supporting diminishing programs.

Camdyn Madison, Lake Nona High School (Orlando) – Camdyn is a senior three-sport athlete.  She participates in competitive cheerleading, weightlifting and flag football at Lake Nona High School in Orlando.  Camdyn is also a three-year member of the student government at her school and is a Youth Cheer Coach for the Jr. Lions.  Camdyn is passionate about helping others and wants to make a more positive and uplifting atmosphere for student-athletes across the state.  Knowing the stresses student athletes face trying to balance classes, practices and games, Camdyn would like to begin an initiative where students have someone in their community they can talk to, to help student-athletes see through their struggles and be more confident in themselves.

Evangeline Odin, Miami Springs Senior High School - A senior from Miami Springs, Evangeline participates in four sports, swimming and diving, volleyball, basketball and beach volleyball.  She is the student class president for her class, and is a member of Future Educators of America, the Nautical Club, Future Business Leaders of America, the aviation piloting program and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.  Evangeline has a passion for sports and participation and would like to see more students be encouraged to participate.  As a member of the FHSAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Evangeline would like to advocate for school personnel to better understand the importance of supporting student-athletes, recognize the impact sports have on student development, for schools to create an environment where more students are encouraged to take part. 

Gavin Popilek, Dreyfoos School of the Arts (West Palm Beach) – Gavin is a returning senior from Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach.  Gavin plays soccer and volleyball for his school. He is a member of the ARTS Club, Little Smiles Club, Athletic Honor Society, and Spanish Honor Society. Gavin volunteers with TOPSoccer and Best Buddies.  He helps to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Gavin’s goal with the FHSAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is to advocate for competitive balance between schools and to promote good sportsmanship.

Alaric Rodriguez, Coral Shores High School (Tavernier) – Alaric is a returning member of the FHSAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.  He is a Senior from Coral Shores High School.  Gavin is a member of his school’s cross country, soccer, and track and field teams.  Gavin also participates as a member of Key Club, Interact Club, and the Ping-Pong Club.  Through his membership in Key Club, Alaric volunteers at the Nautical Flea Market assisting guests and taking guest experience surveys. As a member of the committee, Alaric hopes to aid student-athletes in maintaining their athletic and academic curriculums through good time management.  Alaric was a student ambassador for the Florida Student-Athlete Leadership Seminar this past summer, where he also served as a speaker. 

Nicholas Santana, Orange Park High School – A returning senior from Orange Park High School, Nicholas participates in swimming and diving and tennis. Outside of sports, Nicholas is a member of Robotics Club, Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, National Honor Society, Link Crew, and First Coast Summer Swim League. In his spare time, Nicholas volunteers as a lifeguard. During his time on the student-athlete advisory committee, Nicholas hopes to develop programs for time management training and advocate for student-athlete nutrition.  Nicholas served as a student ambassador for the Florida Student-Athlete Leadership Seminar this past summer, where he also was a speaker.  In July, he represented Florida at the National Student Leadership Summit in Indianapolis.  Nicholas recently competed at the Northeast Florida Regional Special Olympics Swim Meet and won gold in all three events he swam in, 100-Yard Individual Medley, 50-Yard Freestyle and 200-Yard Medley Relay.  He is now qualified for the Special Olympics Florida State Swimming and Diving Competition, held in Sebastian.

Connor Thumm, Maclay School (Tallahassee) – Connor is a junior at Maclay School in Tallahassee.  Connor participates in basketball and track and field.  He is also very active outside of sports.  Connor is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, is a student ambassador, coaches a swimming team with Special Olympics Florida, and is a lifeguard.  Connor has a passion for sports and is always looking for ways to excel in his athletic endeavors and wants all other student-athletes to be able to share the same feeling.  Connor is looking forward to listening to his constituents and being a voice for all student-athletes across the state to ensure their voices are heard.

Evan Warford, Calvary Christian High School (Clearwater) – Evan is a Junior who participates in football and track and field at Calvary Christian High School in Clearwater.  Evan is also a member of the chess club we he serves as the club’s president.  He is currently the student government vice president, participates in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and has played the co-lead role in the last two school musicals. Evan sees the current landscape of sports in high school and college as being ever changing.  As a member of the committee, he would like to make a difference in helping to better prepare student-athletes, particularly in financial literacy.  Evan feels his background in both sports and artistic theater has allowed him an insight that is slightly different than the average athlete and is ready to serve the student-athletes in Florida.


 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 850 middle, junior and senior high schools statewide. Headquartered in Gainesville, it is the official governing body for interscholastic athletics in Florida.