Lexington College for the Deaf varsity gamers take the court docket towards NYS legislators throughout the twenty eighth Annual Basketball Traditional in Albany. (Pictures courtesy of the workplace of Meeting Member Jessica González-Rojas)
June 3, 2025 By Czarinna Andres
The girls and boys varsity basketball groups from Lexington College for the Deaf confronted off towards the New York State Meeting and Senate All-Stars on Tuesday, Might 20, within the twenty eighth Annual Basketball Traditional.
The sport, held at KIPP Constitution Center College in Albany, led to a nail-biting 42-41 victory for the Legislative All-Stars. Elected officers from throughout the state suited up, together with Senator Jamaal Bailey and Meeting Members Khaleel Anderson, Ed Braunstein, Monique Chandler-Waterman, Landon Dais, Chantel Jackson, Ron Kim, Grace Lee, Dana Levenberg, Emerita Torres, Clyde Vanel, and Jordan Wright. Speaker Carl Heastie and Meeting Member Larinda Hooks coached the crew from the sidelines.
Lexington Bluejays showcase their abilities in annual Albany faceoff with lawmakers.
The Traditional was officiated by Lexington’s Interim CEO/Superintendent Seth Bravin and Athletic Director Nicolas Tegni. The annual custom dates again to 1995, when it was based by then-Meeting Member Joseph Crowley, who represented Lexington’s district. The occasion continued beneath the stewardship of former Meeting Member Jeffrion Aubry, who retired in 2023, and stays a celebrated second of recognition and engagement between lawmakers and the Deaf neighborhood.
Meeting Member Jessica González-Rojas and plenty of others cheer on the Lexington Bluejays throughout the annual basketball matchup with the Legislature.
Meeting Member Jessica González-Rojas, who co-hosted the sport with Senator Jessica Ramos and represents the Lexington College of their districts, delivered remarks celebrating its legacy throughout the chamber’s session. “I am so proud to represent and be a part of the Lexington School for the Deaf as their Assembly Member,” she mentioned. “This institution has become a true pillar of the community, serving a diverse population across the city and providing students with the opportunity to thrive and pursue prosperous, fulfilling lives. Tuesday’s basketball tournament was a testament to the talent and determination of the students at Lexington.”
Senator Ramos additionally acknowledged the scholars on the Senate flooring, cheering on the Bluejays upfront of the sport. “I’m proud to support and highlight the incredible prowess of the Lexington School for the Deaf, a beacon of excellence in education and a vital institution in the heart of Queens empowering deaf students across New York,” Ramos mentioned. “LET’S GO Bluejays!”
The Lexington Bluejays varsity groups performed an in depth sport towards the NYS Meeting and Senate All-Stars, narrowly shedding 42–41.
Though Lexington narrowly missed victory, the sport exemplified the power and visibility of Deaf student-athletes and bolstered the deep ties between the varsity and its elected representatives.
Lexington College and Heart for the Deaf, positioned in East Elmhurst, is the most important establishment serving the Deaf neighborhood in New York State. Based in 1864 on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan, the varsity relocated to Queens within the Sixties to satisfy rising demand. At present, it serves greater than 250 college students from early infancy by way of highschool and provides an array of companies together with vocational coaching, psychological well being counseling and listening to and speech assist.
The Basketball Traditional paused solely throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and stays some of the anticipated annual occasions connecting college students with Albany lawmakers. The groups play not just for camaraderie and advocacy but in addition for the coveted four-foot Traditional Trophy—and, maybe extra importantly, for bragging rights.
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