2 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • AUGUST 2019
HALF HOLLOW HILLS VS. AUTISM
ONE GOAL. . .ONE DREAM
FAMILY & COMMUNITY
Paul Quinto, Corey Quinto, James C. Metzger, Allison Quinto, and Drew Quinto.
As a high school freshman, Drew Quinto
had a lot on his mind. Different classes,
new teachers, mingling with old friends,
meeting new acquaintances, and playing
lacrosse. Yet, he always made time to
focus on Corey, his older brother, who
has autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Presented by
The Half Hollow Hills PAL sixth grade champs
Drew’s commitment to “One Goal . . .One
Dream” to help make a difference for kids
and young adults with autism immediately
was embraced by his parents, Allison and
Paul, along with the Half Hollow Hills
Central School District in Dix Hills, Long
Island. The district and the high school
administration are committed to excellence,
community, education, athletics, and charity.
As many as 20 Long Island teams participate
each July in the day-long event that is capped
by the alumni game between the Half
Hollow Hills East Thunderbirds and the
Half Hollow Hills West Colts.
One of the most successful fund-raising
initiatives is the annual Hills vs. Autism
lacrosse tournament.
Athletes pledged donations and each player
also contributed $30 to participate in the
program. Jerseys and shirts were provided
by the Hills East alumni association, and
about 50 referees donated their time to
officiate the games. The program has
raised more than half a million dollars.
Previous James C. Metzger Outstanding Player Award Winners
April is Autism Awareness Month.
During that month in 2012, Drew
started a nonprofit foundation — Hills
vs. Autism — to celebrate Corey, whom
he considers a role model and hero.
James C. Metzger and Christian Mulé
James C. Metzger with Sal Pascarella (Saint Joseph’s University), Nick DiPietro (Syracuse University), Matt Garziano
(SUNY Albany), Sean Lulley (University of Pennsylvania),and Drew Martin (United States Air Force Academy).
SUPPORT FROM A LACROSSE BENEFACTOR
James C. Metzger, a Hills East alumnus and a three-sport award-winning player during the 1970s, was invited to participate in this year’s
program. Metzger is the founder and CEO of The Whitmore Group, a Garden City–based insurance brokerage firm. He supports high school
lacrosse programs across Long Island, including the Hills East program, leadership awards for the Nassau County championship games, and
most valuable player awards for the Long Island championship games. Metzger also has been instrumental in bringing the state lacrosse
championships to Long Island. The 2020, 2021, and 2022 games will be played at Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium.
During halftime of the game between Thunderbirds and Colts alumni, Metzger presented the Colts’ Christian Muléwith the first annual James
C. Metzger Mark of Excellence Alumni Cup. Mulé scored 105 points as a junior, 103 points as a senior, and 331 for his high school career. He
set district records that included breaking Metzger’s scoring record for points in a season (102 points in 1977), which had stood for more than 40
years. Muléhas committed to play lacrosse at Duke University.
GREAT NEWS
ABOUT COREY
Corey, by the way, has exceeded every stereotype associated with autism. He graduated from SUNY Purchase with a 4.0
grade average, lives on his own in Manhattan, takes care of his personal needs, has a driver’s license, and balances his
checkbook. ▶ Learn more about Hills vs. Autism at hillsvsautism.org.
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