The Comsewogue School District recently inducted its 2023 honorees to the District’s Hall of Fame, which included four standout athletes, a music producer and a former Board of Education president.
“This year’s inductees embody what it means to be a Comsewogue Warrior. Each of them left a lasting impact on the District and community. We are all so impressed by their accomplishments, their character and the determination and grit they display with everything they do,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jennifer Quinn.
Inductees included Al Kohart, who graduated in 2007; Joseph Droge, Class of 2001; Nick Azzara, Class of 1984; Keith Vigorito, Class of 2010; Roy Lenzo Jr., who graduated in 2013; and John Swenning, Class of 1982.
Al Kohart competed on the high school football team, earned All-League status on the wrestling team and was a three-time All-League, three-time All-County, All-Long Island and All-American lacrosse player who competed on a gold-medal winning team at the Empire State Games. Upon graduating, he played lacrosse for the University of Pennsylvania and earned three-time All-Ivy League status and was a three-time leading goal scorer.
Joseph Droge competed on the high school soccer team and earned All-County, All-League and All-American status on the lacrosse team, which he also represented on the Long Island Empire State Team in 2000. After graduating, he earned All-Conference status on the lacrosse team at Adelphi University and was a five-time Division II Player of the Week. He continued his education and lacrosse career at the New York Institute of Technology, where he was a three-time All-Conference and three-time All-American athlete. He went on to play Major League Lacrosse with the San Francisco Dragons for a season in 2007.
During his time at Comsewogue High School, Nick Azzara was an All-League baseball athlete and a two-time All-League, All-Conference, All-County and All-Long Island basketball athlete. In his senior year, he was captain of the District’s first undefeated league championship team. He was known as the team’s leader and engine who always took on the opponent’s toughest player. He went on to play basketball at Alfred University, which he led as captain in 1988.
Keith Vigorito competed on the high school basketball team and excelled on the high school soccer team, earning two-time All-County, two-time All-Conference, two-time All-Long Island and All-State status. In his senior year, he was named the 2009 Leading Scorer on Long Island and 2009 Suffolk County Small School Player of the Year. On his induction, he was admired for possessing all four traits that make a successful athlete: grit, determination, dependability and skill. He competed on Dowling Colleges soccer team and, in his freshman year, made the 2010 National Final Four Championship Team.
Roy Lenzo Jr. is a music producer whose credits include Lil Nas X’s six-time Platinum songs “Call Me By Your Name (Montero)” and “Industry Baby.” His music catalogue sold over 15 million copies worldwide and accumulated over 12 billion streams. He is a two-time BMI Award Winner, has had two songs reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100, earned three nominations at the Grammy’s and earned RIAA certifications for his work. His credits also include Lil Nas X’s two-time Platinum songs “Rodeo” and “Holiday,” Platinum album “Montero,” and Gold songs “Scoop” and “Sun Goes Down.” During his acceptance speech, he thanked his teachers for always supporting his music passion and Comsewogue High School Principal Michael Mosca for playing one of his first songs on the morning announcements when he was a student.
John Swenning served on the Comsewogue Board of Education for roughly 20 years, nine of which he was its president. He helped lead the District toward some of its greatest accomplishments, including Middle States Accreditation. Superintendent Dr. Quinn inducted him into the Hall of Fame, emphasizing the immense compassion and empathy he displayed toward everyone in the Comsewogue community during his tenure on the Board of Education.
App users: Visit this link to view pictures from the Hall of Fame Induction ceremony.