Ell Road is a street in Hillsdale near Ann Blanche Smith School where the Borges, Bussanich, Kirkby, and Regula families all live.
Dylan Borges, Celina Bussanich, Trevor Kirkby, and Kevin Regula are all seniors at Pascack Valley High School. And, they will all be attending college this fall as athletes: Trevor will play baseball at Drew University, Celina will play basketball at Montclair State University, Dylan will play lacrosse at the University of Mary Washington, and Kevin will play football at Gettysburg College.
Growing up and childhood memories
The Regulas have lived on Ell Road since 2008, while the Kirkbys and the Borgeses moved to Ell Road when Trevor and Dylan were in pre-school, in 2010. The Bussaniches moved to Ell Road in 2012.
“We moved onto Ell Road in 2010, and the first thing we noticed were the wonderful families that we were surrounded by,” Gary and Mary Lynn Borges, Dylan’s parents, said. “There were always kids to play with, families to interact with, and block parties to celebrate our Ell Road community. This sense of community was a constant, a nurturing environment where children could thrive.”
Steven Bussanich, Celina’s dad, discussed his sentiments about the street.
“We love the area; it is a tree-lined street ideal for evening walks and outdoor activities, making it great for families,” Bussanich shared. “We enjoy playing outside and seeing the neighbors walk by.”
Some memories from growing up on the street stick out more than others. Kirkby’s favorite memory came from a time with his brother Drew during the pandemic, when no one could leave their homes.
“My favorite memory growing up on this street was during COVID when I would shoot in my driveway almost every day with my brother,” Kirkby said. “It was a great way not only to get shots up and keep working on my game, but also to spend time with my brother; so it was a win-win.”
Kirkby’s father, Chris Kirkby, spoke of Celina Bussanich’s unwavering passion during the quarantined times.
“During COVID, when no one could do much of anything, watching Celina shoot religiously in her driveway seemingly every day multiple times a day, you could tell that she has a ridiculous work ethic,” Chris Kirkby said.
Dylan Borges and Kevin Regula have a shared memory, recalling walking down the street to play basketball or have a catch with each other.
“Just getting together to have a catch or shoot hoops [was fun],” Dylan Borgess said. “It was very convenient that we were just a simple five-minute walk from each other, and we could just play or do anything we wanted to do.”
Steve Bussanich and Chris Kirkby noted the student-athletes’ collective commitment to their sports during the pandemic.
“When all activities were suspended, they all continued to train in their respective sports—basketball, baseball, football, and lacrosse—in their yards,” Steve Bussanich shared. “Their commitment to improving their skills persisted despite the circumstances.”
Amy Regula, Kevin’s mother, offered her perspective on the bonds formed between the families.
“Trevor, Dylan, and Celina have been a big part of our lives in different ways,” she stated.
Highlighting Dylan’s future, she added, “It’s exciting to see Dylan moving on to play lacrosse in college.”
She then touched upon childhood athletic connections: “Kevin was fortunate enough to play club lacrosse with Dylan when he was younger,” and “Kevin was also lucky to play baseball with Trevor when he was younger on town and travel teams.”
Recalling Mr. Kirkby’s involvement, she mentioned, “Trevor’s dad even coached Kevin… Many memories were made on those summer travel teams.”
Even without direct athletic connection, Amy Regula emphasized Celina’s importance to their family: “Although Kevin never played a sport with Celina, she has been a big part of our family.” This connection extended to Kevin’s younger sister: “Kevin’s younger sister Danielle, who is currently a sophomore at Pascack Valley, played basketball with Celina [for two years]. Not only is Celina an amazing athlete, but she is an excellent role model and teammate to Danielle.”
Reflecting on the enduring friendships, Regula concluded, “Although they play four different sports, it’s great the four of them became and remained friends all these years.”
Life lessons from the athletes
Trevor Kirkby, Dylan Borges, Celina Bussanich, and Kevin Regula all shared what lessons they have learned from growing up on Ell Road together and from their sports.
Kirkby, talks about baseball and how it highlights benefits of athletic participation.
“It can allow you to have success in other areas. I wouldn’t have as many friends, and I wouldn’t be as happy as I am if it weren’t for sports,” the Drew baseball commit said. “You can take so much more away from them than just the result in a sport, as it taught me to deal with failure, which allows you to enjoy success even more knowing you bounced back.”
Borges, similarly to Kirkby, adds that he has learned a couple of life lessons from lacrosse.
The biggest lesson he learned was this: “Even if you fail once you just have to get back up and try again, once you stop trying is when you officially lose.”
Bussanich mentions how teamwork is a lesson learned for her.
“The biggest lesson I’ve learned from basketball is how to work together as a team,” the Montclair State commit said. “Obviously basketball is a team sport and being able to work in a team is a good skill that I can use in the future. Not every game is a win and learning to work through those losses together as a team is an important skill.”
Regula keeps it simple and expresses how football has helped him throughout high school.
“Football has taught me how to work well with others, not only during football, but outside of it as well. It has also taught me how to be a better leader,” Regula said.
Parents’ views
Gary and Mary Lynn Borges expressed their pride in Dylan’s dedication to his sport.
“As [parents], the most rewarding thing is to watch hard work pay off. When it comes to playing a sport, the grind is on the athlete,” the Borgeses said. “To see Dylan’s self-motivation to perfect his skills on his own time, even when there are no ‘scheduled’ practices makes us certain that he does it for the love of the sport. True love for a sport isn’t measured by stats or trophies but by the effort put into each practice, the bonds built with teammates, and the sheer joy of competing.”
Shifting into Trevor Kirkby’s experience, his dad reflected on the broader benefits of sports.
“I hope [Trevor] is able to play sports as long as he physically wants to,” Chris Kirkby said. “Sports are such a great teaching component for life and how to deal with adversity and be able to work as a group to accomplish a common goal.”
Kevin’ Regula’s parents highlighted the unique aspect of their children growing up and succeeding together.
“They have all worked very hard,” the Regulas said. “The most rewarding thing, in my opinion, is that they have been able to go to public school and have immense amounts of personal and team success, playing with the kids they grew up playing with.”
Similarly, Celina Bussanich’s father echoed the sentiment about the value of hard work.
“What’s rewarding the most is how they realize hard work pays off,” Steve Bussanich said. “It’s a life lesson that I hope stays with them forever. Everything they have achieved so far is because of the work they put in.”
Amy Regula looks ahead and has much pride and future hopes for all four of the athletes.
“I am so proud of all of them,” Regula said. “I hope they all continue to succeed at the next level. We plan to attend all of Kevin’s games and support him along the way. We can’t wait to follow Dylan, Trevor, and Celina in their college journey as well and we hope to even make a game or two of theirs.”
Amy Regula also discussed the sentimental rewards that come with watching their children compete.
“It is very rewarding to see them succeed, and even more rewarding to see them enjoying themselves with their teammates and friends,” Kevin’s mother said.
My own introduction to Ell Road
I remember seeing Trevor and Kevin playing wiffle ball in Trevor’s front yard when I was driving with my mom when I had just moved to Hillsdale, going into my kindergarten year.
I got out of the car with no hesitation. My mom was mad at me because I wasn’t invited, but I don’t regret the decision at all because Kevin and Trevor are some of my closest friends now.
Trevor recalls the moment as well: “I remember his mom being upset, but I am happy he did that because we are still friends to this day,” Kirkby said.
Looking back, getting out of the car was one of the best decisions I ever made. I was welcomed to play with Trevor and Kevin, highlighting just how welcoming these families are.
