Gainesville, Fla. – The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) has announced the new members of the 2026-2027
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). This year, the FHSAA will be welcoming ten (10) new students to the committee, along with six (6) 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 100 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 September 28, 2026; January 25, 2027; and March 1, 2027.
The following FHSAA student-athletes represent the 2026-2027 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee:
Ella Baroni, Newsome– Ella is a senior soccer player from Newsome High School in Lithia. She is a member of her school’s student government, and National Honor Society. Ella has also been a Student Council Class Representative for three years. She’s the Vice President of her school’s Performing Choir. Ella volunteers with Seeds of Hope Food Pantry and is the Co-Founder and President of the Red Cross Club, which connects students with hospital bound veterans. She also volunteered with the Special Olympics, Girls with Confidence Camp, as a counselor, and was a Freshman Orientation Camp Leader at Newsome High School. Ella takes being in a student leadership role seriously and hopes to be a voice for student-athletes across the state.
Zoe Belden, Oviedo– Zoe is a junior multi-sport student-athlete at Oviedo High School. Zoe participates in swimming and diving, track and field, and water polo. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Florida Swimming Athlete Committee. Zoe serves as her swim and dive team’s social media coordinator and photographer, and works as a youth swim coach. Through these roles, Zoe has developed strong communication, collaboration, and leadership skills. As a member of the FHSAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Zoe wants to increase attention and participation in less-publicized sports while encouraging students to become multi-sport athletes. She also hopes to promote the unique experience of high school athletics and encourage student-athletes to take pride in representing their schools and communities.
Aidan Corcoran, Sarasota– Aidan is a senior soccer player from Sarasota High School. He is a member of his school’s student government, and volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the VA Clinic. Aidan is also ae member of the Florida Premier Soccer Club. He lived in Scotland for 10 years, which helped shape his perspective on how sports look for student-athletes at the highest levels. As a member of the FHSAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Aidan wants to focus on improving communication among students, coaches, schools, and athletic organizations.
Manuel Coya, Palmer Trinity– Manuel is a senior two-sport athlete from Palmer Trinity School in Miami. Manuel participates in football and baseball. Outside of sports, he works as a clerk for a judge and was part of Florida’s Junior Prosecutor Association’s inaugural class. Manuel hopes to organize regional activities in South Florida for players, coaches, and teams to attend to help the community grow stronger together.
Sydney Daniel, Lincoln Park Academy (Fort Pierce) – Sydney is a returning member and senior 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 senior 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.
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.
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.
Preston Sharpe, NSU University– Preston is a senior lacrosse player from NSU University School in Davie. He is his class Vice President, SCOPE Club Founder, Sports 4 U secretary, Leadership & Peer Mentoring Fellow, and a Sports Management Fellow. He’s also the student manager for his school’s boys basketball team, and an assistant coach for a middle school boys lacrosse team. Preston represented Team Israel as a Heritage Cup athlete. As a member of the FHSAA Student-Athlete Committee, Preston hopes to help implement programs that will help student-athletes succeed in both academics and athletics without feeling overwhelmed.
Kate Staten, St. Johns Country Day– Kate is a sophomore at St. Johns Country Day School who participates in cross country, track and field, and weightlifting. She has served as a captain of her cross country team, where she focuses on making younger and newer athletes feel welcomed and included. Kate is also president of the Earth Club, a Girl Scouts Gold Award candidate, a weekly volunteer at the Orange Park Library, and the founder of Staten’s Stems, a nonprofit that teaches children how to grow their own food. As a member of the FHSAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Kate wants to focus on student-athlete mental health, create more opportunities for athletes to connect with their peers, and encourage athletes to seek support when dealing with pressure, setbacks, and expectations.
James Thomas, Keystone Heights– Ryder is a senior multi-sport student-athlete at Keystone Heights High School who participates in football, cross country, track and field, and soccer. He serves as captain of the cross-country team and has held several leadership roles, including President of the Athletic Leadership Council, class president, and Student Council Vice President. He is also involved in the National Honor Society, FFA, Students for Christ, and Spanish Honor Society. As a member of the FHSAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Ryder wants to advocate for a more competitive and safer environment for Florida high school athletes. He hopes to represent the perspective of student-athletes from smaller, rural schools while helping create positive changes that will benefit future generations of athletes.
Connor Thumm, Maclay School (Tallahassee) – Connor is a senior 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.
Campbell Walker, Lake Nona– Campbell is a junior multi-sport student-athlete at Lake Nona High School who has participated in golf, basketball, flag football, and softball. She is also a member of Morgan’s Message and serves as a student athletic trainer. Campbell demonstrated leadership on her softball team by stepping up to pitch despite having no prior experience when her team needed someone to fill the position. As a member of the FHSAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Campbell wants to improve the overall athletic experience by advocating for qualified coaches and officials, stronger competition, and better scheduling between sports seasons. She hopes to collaborate with other student-athletes to create meaningful changes that benefit both current and future athletes throughout Florida.
Evan Warford, Calvary Christian High School (Clearwater) – Evan is a senior 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.
Peyton Williamson, Suncoast– Peyton is a junior two-sport athlete from Suncoast High School in Riviera Beach. She participates in weightlifting and softball. Peyton is a member of the Key Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Mu Alpha Theta, Society of Women Engineers, and Student Aces. She attends a school with a diverse student body and wants to advocate for students with different backgrounds who may have different needs.
Teagan Zema, Santa Fe– Teagan is a junior multi-sport student-athlete at Santa Fe High School who participates in lacrosse and weightlifting, and also competed in softball and golf. As a lacrosse goalie, she has demonstrated leadership by stepping up to guide newer players when her team lacked experience and depth. Teagan is also involved in FFA, Environmental Club, Health Club, and student government, where she has helped organize events. As a member of the FHSAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Teagan wants to advocate for stronger coaching support and training, greater access to sports, and increased attention to student-athlete mental health. She hopes to help create an athletic environment that supports the overall health and well-being of Florida’s student-athletes.
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.