John Pearl Elementary School fourth grade student Emma D’Antonio recently scored recognition at the National Wheelchair Basketball Association Championships in Kansas this summer. Her team, the New York Rolling Fury, placed third in the annual national competition. Additionally, Emma was selected as an Academic High Achiever during the tournament’s award presentations.  

Principal Susan White said the community is quite proud of Emma’s summer achievement and congratulated her teammates and proud family members on Emma’s athletic accomplishment.  

The NWBA is one of the largest and longest-standing disabled sports organizations worldwide. Founded in 1949, the NWBA’s goal has been to provide individuals with the opportunity to play and learn wheelchair basketball. The organization is responsible for growing and developing wheelchair basketball in the United States and the selection and training of the Paralympic and ParaPan-Am Games teams, as well as major international competitions. The U.S. Olympic Committee’s Paralympic Division and the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation recognize the NWBA as the governing body for the United States. The NWBA resides in 42 states and boasts 3,000 members and more than 225 teams. 

Emma does not limit her athletic pursuits to wheelchair basketball. She also participates in sled ice hockey, wheelchair tennis and wheelchair racing.  

The Connetquot Central School District congratulates Emma on this outstanding athletic achievement.