We are proud to honor four outstanding student-athletes who are continuing their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate D1 or D2 level: Quante Gillians (D1 Football - Syracuse University), Savannah Hinchcliffe (D1 Lacrosse - The University of Akron), Molly O'Toole (Basketball D2 - D'Youville University), and Kessa Sangasy (Lacrosse D1 - Stonehill College).
Quante Gillians ’25: D1 Football at Syracuse University (Syracuse, New York)
Quante Gillians has been an integral part of the Aquinas Institute community since joining as a freshman. A dedicated two-sport student-athlete in football and basketball, Quante has balanced his athletic commitments with academic success, maintaining a 3.0 GPA throughout high school.
On the football field, Quante has been a standout, starting all four years on the Aquinas Varsity Football team. Over his high school career, he has recorded an impressive 31.5 tackles for loss and 29.5 sacks. In his senior year, Quante earned recognition as the #1 high school football player in New York State and ranked #57 among defensive linemen in the nation. He set a new standard at Aquinas and in Section V history with a record-breaking 5-sack game, solidifying his place in the record books. Additionally, he was named 1st Team All-Greater Rochester, won Section V Defensive Player of the Week twice, and received an astounding 19 Division I offers to continue his football career.
Quante’s senior year was capped with team successes, including winning a Sectional Title, a Regional Title, and advancing to the NYS Final Four. Off the field, Quante has made a meaningful impact on the community through service. He has volunteered with Foodlink to distribute food to families in need across New York, assisted in building homes alongside neighbors, and mentored children in the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) basketball programs.
After graduation, Quante will continue his football and academic journey at Syracuse University, where he plans to major in Communications and Business. Congratulations, Quante, on your incredible accomplishments and for representing Aquinas with excellence both on and off the field!
Savannah Hinchcliffe ’25: D1 Lacrosse at The University of Akron (Akron, Ohio)
Savannah Hinchcliffe is a remarkable two-sport athlete at the Aquinas Institute, excelling in both volleyball and lacrosse during her high school career.
In volleyball, Savannah has been a varsity starter for all four years, demonstrating consistent leadership and talent. In fact, she was named to the All-Private Parochial League Team in 2023. Savannah’s contributions helped lead the team to a Class B Championship this year and to a runner-up finish as the #1 seed in the Class C Championship in 2022.
On the lacrosse field, Savannah has been a standout since 7th grade, earning an impressive array of honors. She has been named to the All-Greater Rochester Honorable Mention Team every year and was selected to the prestigious All-Greater Rochester Super 16 in 2024. Savannah is a five-time All-Independent First Team selection in the Private Parochial League and a member of the 2024 Class D All-Tournament Team.
With 224 career goals, Savannah ranks among the top scorers in Section V, proving herself as one of the region’s premier players. Her talent also shines nationally as a member of the Monster Elite Travel Team, competing at the highest level in lacrosse tournaments across the country.
A true leader, Savannah has served as a captain for both the volleyball and lacrosse teams, a role that reflects her dedication and ability to inspire her teammates.
Off the field, Savannah’s accomplishments are just as impressive. She has earned 11 varsity letters while maintaining a 90 GPA, and actively participated in both the Honor Roll and Principal’s Club. Her service to the community is notable as well, particularly through her involvement with Breaking Barriers, an organization that empowers children with special needs to learn and play lacrosse, teaching them that there are no limitations to what they can achieve. Savannah was also recognized with the St. Joseph’s Community Service Award for her commitment to helping others.
Looking ahead, Savannah is thrilled to continue her athletic and academic journey at the University of Akron, where she has earned a lacrosse scholarship. She chose Akron for its welcoming environment, strong family culture, and the opportunity to reunite on the field with her sister, Sienna. Savannah plans to major in Business and looks forward to this new adventure.
The Aquinas community congratulates Savannah on her many achievements and wishes her the best in this exciting new chapter of her life!
Molly O’Toole ’25: D2 Basketball at D’Youville University (Buffalo, New York)
Molly O'Toole has been a proud member of the Aquinas family since the 6th grade, excelling both in the classroom and on the court. A dedicated student-athlete, Molly has consistently placed academics first, achieving a remarkable GPA of 97.7, earning membership in the National Honor Society, and receiving accolades such as the Physical Education Award in 10th grade. She has also taken on the challenge of dual credit courses through MCC, showcasing her commitment to academic excellence, and is a consistent member of the St. Thomas Club and Principals Club.
As a two-sport athlete, Molly played soccer through her junior year but found her true passion in basketball. Since first picking up a basketball, she has fallen in love with the game, using it as an outlet for growth, friendship, and perseverance. Her hard work and determination have led her to impressive achievements, including being named to the All Greater Rochester First Team, earning Private Parochial honors from 9th to 11th grade, and helping her team secure a Section V Championship and Regional Championship.
Molly’s basketball journey is a testament to her unwavering dedication for the sport. Her commitment began early, competing with AAU Basketball Fury in 6th and 7th grade, followed by three years with the AAU New York Royals from 8th through 10th grade, and the I-90 Elite AAU Basketball in 11th grade. As an eighth grader, Molly’s talent and work ethic earned her a spot on the Aquinas JV Basketball Team, and she quickly progressed to Varsity, where she has been a key player from 9th through 12th grade. Along the way, Molly’s exceptional performances have garnered significant recognition, including being named Primetime Player of the Week twice and earning the distinction of News 8 Spotlight Player of the Week during her junior year.
Off the court, Molly has shown her commitment to serving others, volunteering with organizations such as St. Ann’s Community, Buckman Heights School, Foodlink, the Chili Public Library, and Gates Presbyterian Church. Her contributions reflect her dedication to making a positive impact both within and beyond the Aquinas community.
After graduation, Molly will take her talents to D’Youville University, where she has earned an athletic scholarship to play Division II basketball. She plans to major in Nursing, combining her passion for helping others with her drive for success.
Congratulations, Molly, on this incredible achievement. We are so proud of you and look forward to watching you continue to shine on and off the court!
Kessa Sangasy ’25: D1 Lacrosse at Stonehill College (Easton, Massachusetts)
A proud member of the Aquinas family since 6th grade, Kessa Sangasy has distinguished herself as a dedicated student-athlete, leader, and active community member. Kessa’s athletic journey began early, playing CGL Travel Lacrosse from 3rd to 7th grade and Monster Travel Lacrosse from 7th to 12th grade. Her commitment to the sport earned her a spot on the Aquinas Varsity Lacrosse team in 7th grade—a position she has held ever since.
In addition to her impressive lacrosse career, Kessa is also a standout on the tennis court, serving as captain of the Varsity Tennis team during her senior year. Her athletic versatility extends to the boxing ring, where she participated in Aquinas’ boxing program for two years and received the Dominic L. Arioli '73 Junior High Dedication Award, a testament to her relentless drive and dedication.
Kessa’s contributions to Aquinas extend beyond athletics. A leader on and off the field, she has been actively involved in Student Government and the Student Ambassador program throughout middle and high school. Her dedication to service shines through her volunteer efforts as a Vacation Bible School counselor and her contributions to the St. Rita’s Festival and the IAC Kids Gala. In recognition of her civic engagement and leadership, Kessa has been honored with the Hands of Christ Award 2025.
Academically, Kessa is equally accomplished, maintaining Honor Roll status while taking two Advanced Placement and two Dual Credit courses. She has also received the Physical Education Award in 9th grade and served as the Middle School Yearbook Assistant Advisor.
Kessa’s tireless work ethic and unwavering commitment to excellence have prepared her to take on the next chapter of her journey. After graduation, she will attend Stonehill College, where she will compete at the Division I level in lacrosse and major in Business.
Kessa’s journey exemplifies the spirit of Aquinas: balancing academics, athletics, leadership, and service with passion and dedication. Congratulations, Kessa, on all your accomplishments and best wishes for continued success at Stonehill College!
These outstanding AQ students have demonstrated commitment to excellence on and off the field. We are excited to watch them shine at the next level and hope they continue to carry the AQ spirit with them wherever they go!
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