A Wizard’s Path: Michael Silva

A Wizard’s Path is a new series from the Washingtonville Central School District that shares the stories of students making their mark. Each feature celebrates the hard work, dedication and spirit that help shape the Wizard community.

As a senior at Washingtonville High School, Michael Silva is closing out a successful journey full of growth and self-discovery. Looking back, he has made the most of his four years by pushing himself as a student, leader, artist and athlete.

Michael currently serves as president of the Student Coalition, media production manager and treasurer of Wizards Esports and was recently selected as the male leader of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for the 2025-26 year.

As a dedicated baseball and basketball player, Michael was already familiar with NYSPHSAA before stepping into leadership. He began representing Section IX as a junior and applied to co-lead the state advisory program last summer. Out of 11 other male candidates across NYSPHSAA’s sections, he was chosen to serve alongside Sarah Domin, a senior from West Genesee.

The role has opened doors to new experiences. Michael has traveled to conferences in Syracuse, Albany, and most memorably to Indianapolis for the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Leadership Conference.

“It was truly life changing,” he said. “We were the only two students from New York State, and meeting high schoolers from across the country really put things in perspective. Even just sitting at a table with kids from Wisconsin and Kentucky, hearing about their food, their culture – it showed me how much there is to learn from each other.”

Michael is equally passionate about esports. Over the summer, he joined WHS teacher and coach Kevin Calderin at the Serious Play Esports Summit at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), where he spoke on behalf of the student experience.

“I talked about what it’s like being part of an esports program even if you’re not competing,” he explained. “We discussed how scholastic esports can grow to the next level, and why it’s such an important part of student life.”

The conference also gave Michael the chance to tour RIT’s campus, where he made meaningful connections with staff who encouraged his passion for filmmaking.

“One staff member really took the time to listen to my story,” Michael said. “She told me about her daughter’s experience as a film major, and she said, ‘I want to do whatever I can to help you.’ That kind of care left a huge impression on me.”

Michael’s path to filmmaking and writing began unexpectedly in junior year during an English assignment. Asked to write a short horror story, he poured himself into the project, later submitting it to a Young Writers USA contest. 

“That was a big turning point,” he said. “It showed me I had potential as a writer.”

He went on to submit more work, including his poem I Was Born Black to the American Library of Poetry. Among his proudest achievements was earning first place in the Sam & Barbara Weinberger Literary & Art Competition, hosted by the Holocaust Museum and Center for Tolerance and Education in Rockland.

Inspired by a class trip to the museum, Michael created a short film titled Henry Box Brown (A Slave Story) for a final project and later submitted it to the contest.

“From start to finish, I loved the entire process – being behind the camera, acting, editing – every part of the process was just love for me,” he said.

Since then, Michael hasn’t looked back. He’s currently working on a second short film and getting ready to submit another story to the Young Writers USA competition this fall. He’s also auditioning for a role in the school’s upcoming production of 10 Ways to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse and considering getting the poetry club back up and running this year.

Whether on the field, behind a camera or leading his peers, Michael has embraced every opportunity high school has offered. With each new experience giving him a fresh perspective and affirming his passion for storytelling.