Jan. 11, 2025
By Tyler Herman
Staff Writer
Student Affairs Officer Mr. Auteri is a constant presence in the hallways and on the baseball and football fields. Now, he has gained recognition as the recipient of LHS’ Governor’s Service Professional of the Year Award.
This award highlights educational innovation, student achievement and important services outside the classroom environment that lead to student success.
Auteri said he appreciates the support that led him to win this award, which was determined by staff nominations.
“My peers voted for me, which is a big honor,” Auteri said.
He said his main responsibility as student affairs officer is preserving school safety by addressing discipline, issuing general detentions and following up with students who are chronically absent.
“My favorite part [of my job] is getting to know students, having a relationship with the students [and] trying to keep them on the straight and narrow path,” Auteri said.
He said his main goal is to set students up to be successful after they graduate from LHS.
“[I want] a smooth transition for these students when they get to the next level,” Auteri said. “When they graduate, maybe I will have a little influence on them.”
Auteri, who started working at LHS in 2011, has served as head varsity baseball coach for a decade and assistant varsity football coach for the past 16 years. Before becoming head baseball coach, he was an assistant baseball coach for 15 years.
“His tireless effort and ability to command the respect of the students are invaluable, and it makes him more than deserving of this award.”
Auteri, an LHS Class of 1995 graduate, was a three-sport athlete on the football, basketball and baseball teams.
He said he has good memories of his time as an LHS student.
“[I] loved the camaraderie we had, loved all the traditions we had [in] sports and just the school in general,” Auteri said.
Junior Max Gonzalez, who joined the varsity baseball team last year, said Auteri deserves to be recognized as Service Professional of the Year.
“What makes him great at what he does is not only his love for doing it every day but also how [inspiring] he is as a person and someone you would want to be around every day,” Gonzalez said.
He said Auteri puts forth his best effort at all times.
“[He demonstrates] leadership on the field [by] wanting to make everyone around him better,” Gonzalez said.
Art teacher Mr. Petruzziello said he has the utmost respect for Auteri.
“His tireless effort and ability to command the respect of the students are invaluable, and it makes him more than deserving of this award,” Petruzziello said. “He has shown me so much about the importance of how your actions speak to your character and that students see those actions and respond to them.”
Petruzziello said Auteri has made significant, positive impacts on the LHS community.
“He has done so much from coaching to his daily responsibilities here at LHS,” Petruzziello said. “However, I think that it’s his day-in and day-out example that he sets for the students and the faculty and staff that is his greatest accomplishment and contribution.”
