Massena – may 9, 2024 –
Abby LaDuke, a senior on the Massena Women’s varsity Basketball team, has been awarded the 2025 Katie O’Shaughnessy Memorial Award. The award recognizes LaDuke’s exceptional drive and determination, qualities also embodied by the award’s namesake. Presented at the team’s banquet, it highlights the exceptional character of this year’s awardee. Contact us for details.
Abby LaDuke Honored with Katie O’Shaughnessy Memorial Award for Determination and Positive Spirit
Massena, N.Y. – Abby LaDuke, a senior on the Massena Women’s Varsity Basketball team, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Katie O’Shaughnessy Memorial Basketball Award. The honor, bestowed at the team’s basketball banquet on April 8, recognizes LaDuke’s exceptional personal drive and her ability to translate lessons learned on the basketball court into her everyday life.
Coach’s perspective
Coach Justin Shope selected LaDuke for the award, citing her outstanding character and dedication. the award highlights not only athletic prowess but also the qualities of determination and a positive attitude that defined Katie O’Shaughnessy.
LaDuke’s Accomplishments and Future Plans
Throughout her high school career, Abby LaDuke has been actively involved in both sports and extracurricular activities. Her passion for basketball will continue as she pursues a degree in physical therapy at Utica University this fall.
Did You Know?
Physical therapy is a growing field, with a projected increase in demand for qualified professionals in the coming years. Abby’s dedication to both athletics and academics positions her well for a triumphant career.
The Legacy of Katie O’Shaughnessy
The Katie O’shaughnessy Memorial Basketball Award was established in 2001 by Mary Arcadi,then the varsity basketball coach for Massena,in collaboration with Katie’s former teammates. The award serves as a tribute to O’Shaughnessy’s enduring spirit and recognizes a senior player who embodies her determination and positive attitude, both on and off the court.
A Life Cut Short, A Legacy of Hope
Katie O’Shaughnessy, a Massena native, was deeply involved in her community and excelled in basketball throughout her high school years. Tragically, in December 2000, at the age of 22, she passed away after a year-long battle with melanoma. Despite facing the challenges of cancer, she graduated from Queen’s University just six months prior, maintaining her unwavering determination.
She graduated from Queen’s University just six months earlier, having never lost her fierce determination, even while facing the scariest side of cancer.
Kate’s Team: A beacon of Hope in Cancer Research
Founded in 2000, Kate’s Team began as an online community to provide updates on Katie’s treatment to friends and family. Since then, it has evolved into the largest team, in terms of both fundraising and participation, at the annual Terry Fox Run in New York City. with over 150 members, kate’s Team® has raised over $350,000 for research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer center in New York, where katie received treatment.
Impactful Research and National Recognition
Research funded by Kate’s Team has yielded meaningful results, with several patients achieving remission from cancer. The groundbreaking work has been featured in prominent national news outlets,including The New York Times
and The Wall street Journal
,highlighting the team’s impact on cancer research.
Pro Tip: Getting Involved
Interested in supporting cancer research? consider participating in the Terry Fox Run or donating to organizations like Kate’s Team. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference.
Learn More
For more information about Kate’s Team and their ongoing efforts, please visit www.katesteam.org.