NEWS RELEASE from Cairo-Durham Central School District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 9, 2023
Cairo-Durham Alumni Awarded Semi-Professional Soccer Franchise
CAIRO, NY – The Cairo-Durham Central School District is excited to acknowledge Cairo-Durham High School alumni Hannah Esslie (‘22) has been awarded a semi-professional soccer franchise to compete at Level One in the United Women’s Soccer League.
Playing their matches at SUNY New Paltz, the Hudson Valley Crusaders will add a Level One team to its already existing Level Two team. With the addition, owner/player Esslie, 19, now runs a franchise in the second-highest level of women’s soccer competition in North America, just below the National Women’s Soccer League.
“It is really exciting to represent Cairo-Durham at this level. When I tell people where I am from, the response I receive 95% of the time is ‘where is that?’ Cairo is a super small-town but I'm grateful to call it home,” Esslie said. “I take pride in being from Cairo and it is encouraging to see the growth throughout the town in recent years and I hope I can contribute to that in even just a small way.”
Esslie credited various Cairo-Durham staff members for their influence on her and ability to continuously find ways to improve in and outside of the classroom.
“My time at Cairo-Durham provided me with the confidence and the freedom to be able to take on something like this. Much of the faculty at Cairo-Durham, and I'm sure still are, advocates for the students. Teachers like Ms. Jones, Ms. Manoli, Mr. Pisano, and Mr. Corbett, I know first-hand, push their students to achieve more and be their best,” Esslie said. “The confidence that these teachers and many more inspire in students has the power to create many more Cairo-Durham success stories.”
Calling the shots on the sideline is Mitchell Kazanjian, a 2015 Cairo-Durham High School graduate. Kazanjian said his Mustang pride follows him wherever he goes, especially on the playing field.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to pursue what I am passionate about at such a high level. I feel fortunate to be part of the program Hannah has built and it’s funny to me how we both graduated from Cairo-Durham,” Kazanjian said. “Even though my wife is a biology teacher at Greenville, I still wear my Cairo-Durham sweatshirts whenever I go to Greenville events with her!”
Superintendent of Schools Michael Wetherbee is proud of both alumni’s contributions to the sport of soccer, representation of Cairo-Durham and is excited for the future of the Crusaders.
“I am a firm believer that athletics teach countless life skills such as accountability, teamwork, dedication and perseverance,” Wetherbee said. “To have two alumni of Cairo-Durham Central School District now leading the charge of a semi-professional soccer franchise representing our geographic location with an upward trajectory is something to be very satisfied with.”
Esslie’s two pieces of advice to current Cairo-Durham students are to be grateful for being in this area and to never settle.
“You can accomplish whatever you set your mind to; it just takes the effort. I know it is cliche but you will excel beyond anything you can imagine if you just have the work ethic and find your passion,” Esslie said. “I went to private school in Albany for many years before attending school here. When I came to Cairo, it seemed like there was this general idea that things here are not the greatest and people complain about what we lack instead of taking advantage of all of the amazing opportunities that we have. Cairo-Durham has so many great teachers that want to help you grow, so many sports and clubs that you can pursue and make successful. Make the most of where you are and make something out of where you are.”
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