By Steve Svetovich
Dunmore senior Domenic DeSando is the ultimate scholar-athlete.
And he is demonstrating strong leadership skills both in the classroom and on the gridiron.
President of his senior class and member of the National Honor Society with a 3.68 grade point average, the senior scholar-athlete excels in four sports at Dunmore, including the football team where he plays running back and cornerback.
DeSando had some big games in the early going helping Dunmore to a 7-2 start, including five wins in a row recently, at press time.
He scored a touchdown on a 63-yard toss from senior quarterback Tommy Bowen to help Dunmore to a 27-14 lead with 3:18 left in the third quarter in the Bucks 47-21 win over Honesdale Friday, Oct. 20.
Son of Nick and Amy DeSando, Dunmore, Dom is also a member of the track and field, tennis, and basketball teams at the high school.
He went to states in track and field where he runs the 100 and 200 meter and four by four. Dom said he feels track and field is his best sport and would like to participate in it on the college level.
Dom is not sure where he will attend college, but he wants to major in finance. He is leaning towards West Chester University.
He is a member of the yearbook staff, French Club and Earth Club at Dunmore.
He is also both a referee and coach for the NEPA Youth Flag Football League. The team he coached won a championship.
And if he is not busy enough with all of his sports and academics, Dom even has a part-time job at the Dunmore Community Center.
“You know I enjoy his participation in all of the sports,” his dad said, “but I’m even more proud that he is the student body president and a member of the National Honor Society. And he works too.”
The well-versed senior said his dad has given his time to help the Dunmore football program.
“I’m very impressed with what he does for the players and coaches,” he said. “He has always been my number one supporter. He really supports the whole team.
“Both of my parents teach me that hard work leads to success. Never give up on anything you want in life.”
Well-spoken and articulate, Dom said he has learned a lot from Dunmore football coach Kevin McHale.
“He tells us in order to be successful, we need to play with a lot of passion and discipline. We need to want to get better by learning from the coaches.”
A four-year member of the Dunmore football team, Dom has eight touchdowns in the first nine games. He scored five touchdowns on runs, two on catches and one on a punt return.
The highly-talented, mature senior said math is his best academic subject.
With his participation in four sports, various clubs, working and being president of the student body, Dom has learned how to balance his time and multi-task. “There is a lot of day-to-day preparation and time management,” he said. “I take one day at a time and focus on what I have to do that day or at a particular time.”
Dom likes listening to music in his little spare time. He likes AC/DC and would like to see the classic rock group in concert.
He talked about what it takes to excel at running back in high school football.
“It takes toughness and grit and a lot of hard work in the off season.”
Dilligent and hard-working by nature, Dom talked about the success of the Dunmore football team this season.
“I think it’s because of the guys up front,” he said. “They put in the work in the off-season day in and day out.”
He predicts a successful and strong finish for the Bucks this season.
“Winning the state title is our goal 100 percent. When we are clicking at 100 percent like we are now, it is very hard to stop us.”
The personable senior said he loves Dunmore. “It’s been a great four years. Dunmore is like one big family. The community is behind you every day. Everyone is so connected.”
Old school and traditional despite his youth, Dom has a goal as he looks to his future after high school and college.
“I want to be a successful business person living in the suburbs with a wife, four kids, and two dogs.”