Students Say Positive Changes A Direct Result Of Hampton Bays Boxing Program

Dillon Ottati battles with depression and anxiety, but thanks to a school boxing program, the Hampton Bays senior has found an outlet where he can not only voice his stressors, but quite literally attack them.

“I’ve dealt with mental health issues, and I knew that boxing would be a great way to get rid of some of the tension I deal with, physically,” Ottati said. “When you’re sad or depressed, all you want to do is lay in bed and do nothing, but the boxing motivates me. And with my anxiety, the boxing program has taught me to not care what anyone thinks, and has shown me that it’s easy to make new friends. Boxing takes my mind off of the things that make me stressed and it’s just a great way to have fun and stay healthy.”

The senior’s quest to better himself began last school year, when the program was formed by school social worker Chris DeRosa. Ottati said he was proud to be picked for his leadership. Because of the vast interest in the program, DeRosa and former Hampton Bays social worker Yoeli Vargas, who is now working for the Bay Shore School District, chose students they thought the program would best serve.

“It made me feel like I am setting a good example for others,” Ottati, an AP Scholar with honors, said. “The club has helped me immensely with my mental health issues. You take out whatever you’re dealing with on the punching bag.”

Students first meet in a social setting where they connect on a more emotional level for 45 minutes before heading over to Hill Street Boxing in Southampton for a one-hour class. DeRosa said there’s mindfulness meditation, along with a smorgasbord of different activities because he knows there’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach. There’s lots of partner work involved in both aspects, and students get to know new classmates each week.

“We also talk about mental health in general and why it’s so important to maintain,” Ottati said. “The social-emotional aspect of the boxing program really helps me to connect with the other students and enables me to let out my emotions verbally.”

That’s what Deykel Berrocal, who was also part of the program last year, said she’s enjoyed most.

“I believe that aspect is great, because not everyone has a place where they can let their feelings out,” the junior, who is on the Hampton Bays varsity wrestling team this winter, said. “I truly think that these activities, as well as boxing, is helping to improve our mental health and lower stress. It also shows everyone that you are not alone and you will always have people in your corner.”

DeRosa said he teaches students that health can be looked at as a triangle with three points — social, mental/emotional and physical fitness.

“Boxing encompasses all three of those aspects,” he said. “We teach our kids all these tools for their toolbox for when they’re feeling anxious, when they’re feeling depressed, when they’re feeling overwhelmed. Basically, when life is throwing punches at you, how do you remember all of those tools to set you up for success?”

The social worker said the connections formed through the process have been transformative for much of the student body.

“These kids are from all different groups of friends, and they’re learning how to work well with others,” he said. “Boxing is a lifelong process of learning. You’re never like, ‘OK, I’ve learned how to box.’ You’re always improving. You’re always learning new stuff. This is really new for a lot of these kids, so, seeing them start from scratch with something and really taking in the struggles of what it is to learn a new skill is really awesome.”

Daniela Vargas, an English as a new language teacher who began working in the district last year — and became a co-coordinator of the program following Yoeli’s departure — has seen it, too.

“Even though it’s something so small, just remembering a fellow student’s name and saying, ‘Hi,’ can make such a bigger and better impact,” she said.

As an addition to the boxing piece of the puzzle, Vargas shines. While DeRosa has been a member of the Hill Street family for some time, Vargas, a Bellport native, comes from a strong, deep-rooted boxing family. Her father, Michael, opened Vargas Boxing at Pro-Fit Deer Park with her brother, Alex, a professional boxer. They previously taught out of a gym in Patchogue. Alex, a super light, known by the nickname “El Toro,” improved to 12-0 in November after defeating Argentina’s Sebastian Gabriel Chaves (5-3) by way of a unanimous decision.

“She is a great mentor to have, and she knows what she’s doing,” Ottati said of Vargas. “Her cheery mood and optimism are a great addition to the program, but she’s also tough as nails, and definitely knows how to throw a punch.”

Students start work inside the gym with conditioning drills like running, box jumps, swinging battle ropes and pushing sleds before transitioning to learning about boxing stances and doing punch combos and bag activities.

Hill Street manager Avery Crocker also leads training sessions with the students. Ottati said the environment created by all three teachers is filled with nothing but support.

“They make everyone feel at home and make sure it’s a judgment-free area,” the senior said. “I am very grateful for the opportunity I have to participate in such an inclusive club.”

Ottati, though, said he can’t help but be most thankful for DeRosa, who he said is like an older brother to him, for getting the program up and running. DeRosa then pushed the credit to Crocker, who he said along with the rest of the management at Hill Street are “always contributing” and “always giving back to our kids in our community.” And Athletic Director John Foster, who DeRosa said “couldn’t be a more perfect person for this job.”

“He jumps through all the hoops to make sure everything is set in stone to work for these kids,” he said.

“DeRosa, though, is such a great person and cares about each and every one of us,” Ottati added. “He also knows how to box, and can really take a beating from us, but aside from being a great motivator for the boxing program, he is a phenomenal social worker who does so much for the school. Every morning he puts on some bachata or 2000’s music for the kids to get in the mood for school and get them going and let them know that they are safe and that the school is a fun environment.”

Vargas said the program, which will be spending a training day at her father’s gym next month, is wonderful for the students for so many reasons, and thinks, too, that the timing is right, as the effects of COVID-19 have only exacerbated stressors for kids.

“It’s not just about learning how to defend yourself in any situation — there’s such a mental toughness in this sport that you really need to have, and discipline and motivation in order to keep up with it,” she said. “Throughout this journey the students are becoming mentally and physically stronger, which makes them grow such a confidence that’s amazing to see.”

Berrocal agreed that any school could benefit from a program like this.

“It is really hard to be in high school today — between academic pressure, expectations from family and faculty, social pressure from friends, anxiety from social media and even our home responsibilities — it can be very overwhelming,” she said. “The boxing program offers an outlet where we can learn how to cope with and handle these pressures. When you’re boxing it’s like an escape from reality, which is why I believe our group is so into it.”