Rebecca Hall

Though it is a small school, Maple Hill is no stranger to athletic success. The Wildcats are perennial Section II contenders in several sports.

With that in mind, Rebecca Hall wasn’t expecting to be among those nominated for the Capital District Sports Women of the Year.

“I was surprised when my athletic director told me that he nominated me,” Hall said. “My school is not that big, but we have a lot of amazing athletes. To have the coaches and athletic director pick me is great.”

Hall is familiar with the award having seen one of her best friends – Jenna Hoffman – nominated last year.

“One of my closest friends [Hoffman] was chosen last year,” said Hall, who is one of 10 high school honorees for the third-annual Capital District Sports Women of the Year awards. “I watched her go through it all. I never thought that it could be me this year.”

While Hall may find it hard to believe that she was nominated, her athletic director Mike Silver, girls’ basketball coach Michael Oliver and girls’ soccer coach Sheila Golden offered plenty of reasons for the selection.

“Rebecca is not only an outstanding athlete, but also a great all-around student,” Silver said. “She has had many achievements and has also contributed greatly to the Schodack Central School District and the Schodack community.”

On the court and field, Hall excelled for the Wildcats, serving as a captain this year for both the girls’ soccer and girls’ basketball teams.

“In my first year as the girls’ varsity basketball coach at Maple Hill high School, Rebecca displayed exceptional leadership and positivity throughout the 2021-2022 season,” Oliver said. “As team captain, Rebecca took on the role of communicating important information, allowing her teammates — ranging from grades eight to 12 — to receive the best experience.”

She earned the Most Improved Award for girls’ soccer and was named a second-team Patroon Conference all-star in girls’ basketball. Hall also earned a New York State Public High School Athletic Association scholar-athlete award and was part of the NYSPHSAA’s Student Leadership Conference in 2021.

“I have been a coach in the Schodack Central School District for 33 years. I can confidently say that Rebecca’s hard work and dedication has enabled her to excel as an athlete and student,” Golden said. “It has been my privilege to have Rebecca on my varsity soccer team for the past two years. During this time, Rebecca has demonstrated a willingness to learn, work hard and strive for success.”

In school, Hall was a Student Council officer in each of the last four years and served as the National Honor Society President this year. She also was a part of instrumental band and chorus all four years of high school.

“In addition to sports, Rebecca participated in many extra-curricular clubs and activities at school,” Golden said. “Rebecca has been able to balance her busy schedule and challenging academic course load with a high level of success. Rebecca’s success both in and out of school is the direct result of her desire to produce quality work through quality performance.”

Outside of school, Hall is a member of the Castleton Volunteer Ambulance Squad and recently completed the New York State Emergency Technician (EMT) certification course. She also is part of the squad’s membership committee, which interviews and recruits new members.

“When I turned 16, I became a junior member of the Castleton Volunteer Ambulance Squad,” Hall said. “After the first call, I went on, I decided that it was something that I wanted to do.”

In addition to her work with the ambulance squad, also was part of the Tulip Project, which made more than 150 Christmas ornaments and 100 felt spring flowers that were distributed to local nursing homes during the pandemic. She also has fundraised and participated in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in the annual Walk to Cure Diabetes.

The disease is one that has affected Hall on a personal level.

“When I was 4, I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes,” Hall said. “I was always around doctors and patients. That’s what sparked me to want to be a nurse or doctor.”

With that in mind, Hall will attend Siena College in the fall, where she will attend the Belanger School of Nursing to obtain her bachelor’s in nursing.

Hall also has been a part of the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Walk and participates annually in the Street Soldiers II of Troy to help distribute food, toiletries and other necessities to families.

“My dad has always been involved in the community as a coach,” Hall said. “I’ve always seen how important being involved in the community is.”

Like her father, Hall also has served as a coach in the Sacred Heart CYO Basketball League for first- and second-grade teams.