Michelle Ritz, a senior at The Wheatley School, recently scored her 500th career point as a member of the varsity girls basketball team. Ritz, who has been a four-year starter, reached this scoring milestone on Jan. 28 in a game against East Rockaway. She is one of the team's co-captains, plays the forward position and has earned All-Division honors for the past two years. When Ritz ends her Wheatley basketball career at the completion of this season, she will have earned a place among the leading scorers in the history of Wheatley girls basketball. To commemorate this outstanding achievement, Ritz was presented with a game ball by her coach, Brian McConaghy, prior to the start of a varsity game on Feb. 8.

Ritz has also been recognized by News 12 Long Island for her all-around achievement in scholarship, athletics, leadership, and school service. She received the Citibank - News 12 Long Island Scholar-Athlete Recognition Award. Michelle will receive a $1,000 scholarship, and a videotape of her school and athletic activities was made for showing on a News 12 telecast. Bob Wolff, director of sports at News 12 Long Island, started this recognition program in 1988. During each week of the school year, an outstanding Long Island student-athlete is recognized and profiled.

Ritz is a highly respected student-athlete who has achieved an outstanding academic record while participating in a wide range of extra-curricular activities. She has been a straight "A" student throughout her high school career while pursuing a rigorous academic schedule, which includes numerous Honors and Advanced Placement courses. In recognition of her excellent academic record, Ritz has been inducted into the Spanish, Latin and National Honor Societies, and she has received recognition in Long Island math and science fairs. Ritz is a National Merit Semi-Finalist. She has assumed leadership roles in The Wheatley Key Club, Student Leadership Council, Gay-Straight Alliance and National Honor Society. Incredibly, she finds the time to be an active member of her temple, assuming a leadership role in its annual carnival, and she has been active in Girls Scouts throughout her high school years. Earlier this year, Ritz was recognized by the Nassau Zone of the New York State Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance for being an Outstanding Physical Education student.

Last spring, Ritz became a member of the Wheatley Varsity Girls Track Team where she excelled as a discus thrower. She was the Division Champion and earned All-County honors as well. In addition, she was the Junior Olympics Region Champion, but an injury prevented her from competing in the Nationals. Ritz is the daughter of Leonard and Ellen Ritz, who reside in East Williston.