Awards

Magnificent Monties

Ryan Sonnenschein wins Mayor’s Trophy, Devine and Palhano are Best athletes at Monticello Senior Sports Banquet

By RICHARD A. ROSS

MONTICELLO, NY — After years of giving their all to Monticello athletics, the school’s senior sports stars were honored at the annual Senior Sports Awards Banquets on June 4.

The evening began with a welcome by athletic director Doug Murphy, poignant remarks about the enduring value of developing perseverance by Superintendent Dr. Patrick Michel and a musical slide show that chronicled this outstanding year of Monticello athletics put on by this writer.

The audience adjourned to the beautifully decorated gym for a buffet dinner catered by Mr. Willy’s. Following dinner, the litany of awards and presentations began. After recognizing the senior student scholars, who made the Superintendent’s List, with a G.P.A. of 3.5 or better for their entire high school career, and the Principal’s List, which included those with a G.P.A of 3.0 to 3.4 for the same duration, the Coaches Awards were awarded to outstanding players from each of the school’s teams. (See lists below of academic awards and coaches’ honors).

Each coach presented certificates to his or her players and offered words of praise for the athletes. During the course of the evening, several special awards were given. Wrestler Vinny Brugaletta received a plaque honoring his 101 wins, the third-most that was ever recorded by a Montie grappler.

Senior Matt Goldsmith received a service award for his tireless dedication to the school’s athletic programs. Goldsmith logged untold hours working in a variety of helpful capacities too numerous to mention.

Outstanding male and female athletes were honored as Maria Pavese and Dior Jackson received plaques for their fine achievements. Pavese, who was on the Superintendent’s List and who received a Master of Sport plaque for her six varsity letters, was a member of the girls alpine ski team that won state scholar athlete honors. She also played softball. Jackson was on the Principal’s List and was a Master of Sport winner with outstanding contributions to the school’s basketball, cross-country and track and field teams. Retiring coach Dick O’Neill had glowing praise for Jackson. “If I had to go out, I’d gladly do it with him on my shoulders,” said the iconic coach. Jackson is likely headed for Fredonia, where he will join former Monticello standout/Mayor’s Trophy winner Brad Cooper.

The recipients of this year’s awards for best male and female athlete went to Brendan Devine and Pollyanna Palhano, who were also the school’s OCIAA scholar athletes.

Devine has admirably represented Monticello with his remarkable year-round running exploits. He finished second in NYS in cross-country and was the Section Nine Class A champion in the sport. He finished second in nationals as well. Devine starred in indoor and spring track and was on the Superintendent’s List. In his closing remarks, Devine talked about setting goals and the joy of competing in athletics. He cited the enormous support offered by coaches and parents.

Palhano, who was named this year’s Section Nine Co-Player of the Year in volleyball, was on the Superintendent’s List. Palhano received a Doctorate of Sport plaque for her accumulation of 10 varsity letters. She starred in basketball and spring track, excelling in hurdles, jumps, shot put and, most recently, in the pentathlon. At the end of the first day of this year’s state qualifier, Palhano was in second place among Section Nine contenders in the grueling series of events. “You will always be a winner in my eyes,” said coach Karen Atack, who cited the privilege of coaching Palhano in volleyball and basketball. Palhano was a Section Nine first team All-Star in volleyball.

Palhano congratulated all of the senior athletes and thanked the coaches for imparting their leadership and support. Palhano referred to her teammates as her second family. “We’ll never forget the games we played and the coaches who have taken the time to make us the people we are today,” she said.

The culminating award of the evening is the Mayor’s Trophy, initiated by former village Mayor John Duiguid in 1991 to recognize the outstanding achievement of student athletes.

This year’s award was presented by Mayor Gordon Jenkins to Ryan Sonnenschein. Jenkins said that Sonnenschein had already been cited numerous times during the course of the evening for his excellence. “He reminds me of my father, Jesse Jenkins, a four-letter man,” said the mayor, who has been in office for two months. He had never heard of the Mayor’s Cup, despite the fact that his niece Katina Mack and nephew John DeGroat were former winners.

Sonnenschein, who was a Doctor of Sport with 14 varsity letters, was on the Principal’s List. He was a key member of the boys Alpine Ski team that won its first ever Section Nine championship. In golf, Sonnenschein qualified for the Section Nine tournament for the fifth straight year and gritted his way through the soccer season still nursing the effects of a prior knee injury.

Coach O’Neill had strong words of praise for Sonnenschein, who has been on the golf team for six years.

Sonnenschein joins the list of former Mayor’s Trophy winners, which includes Robert Jahrling, Kenya Snowden, Troy Cuison, Steven Staats, Joseph Diaco, Cheryl Sheerer, Claudia Waterton, Allison Benson, Samantha Tucker, Katy Schlictman, Ashley Bloom, Erika Kalber, Brad Cooper and Ty’neshia Washington.

This year’s award recipients include:

Superintendent’s List: Brendan Devine, Darren Fraser, Katherine Green, Julia Jaskolsa, Ann Joy, Austin Madnick, Gabby Medina, Pollyanna Palhano, Maria Pavese, Phillip Schulman and Ty’nessa Washington.

Principal’s List: Artur Atanov, John Bowens, Vincent Brugaletta, Alexa Buckles, Carly Bulaga, Thomas Cavanaugh, Monica Concors, Felicia Escoto, Jessika Fasce, Nicole Fortunato, Dior Jackson, Ian Laufersweiler, Sarah Pimienta, Ke’Ayra Sanders, Samantha Schoonmaker, Jessica Simpson, Kaila Smithem, Ryan Sonnenschein, Anita Stevens, Robert Venditti, Cory Waichman and Tyrus Walker.

Senior Plaques recipients were:

Doctorate of Sport (at least nine varsity letters): John Bowens (11), Pollyanna Palhano (10), Brendan Devine (12), Ryan Sonnenschein (14), Gabby Medina (9) and Robert Venditti (10).

Master of Sport (at least six varsity letters): Dior Jackson (7), Maria Pavese (6), Darren Fraser (6), Chelsea Reuss (7), Austin Madnick (6) and Ke’Ayra Sanders (7).

Bachelor of Sport (at least three varsity letters): Vincent Brugaletta (3), Jason Osrow (3), Carly Bulaga (3), Samantha Schoonmaker (5), Michael Cooper (3), Jessica Simpson (5), Emily Drobysh (4), Dennis Stafford (4), In Laufersweiler (3) and Hailey VanKeuren (4).

The Coach’s Awards (which go to one member of the team who exemplifies and upholds the highest standard of school service, athletic performance, integrity and sportsmanship) included: Tre’ Branch, boys tennis; Vincent Brugaletta, wrestling; Carly Bulaga, girls soccer; Erica Concors, Nordic skiing; Rebecca Concors, girls track and field; Brendan Devine, Boys cross-country; Felicia Escoto, cheerleading; Jessica Fingers, Girls cross-country; Thomas Gonzalez, boys track and field; Haley Heins, girls alpine skiing; Richard Heins, boys alpine skiing; Dior Jackson, boys basketball; Gabriella Medina, girls golf and girls tennis; Pollyanna Palhano, volleyball and girls basketball; Chelsea Reuss, softball; Danielle Schnitzer, girls indoor track; Ryan Sonnenschein, boys golf; Dennis Stafford, boys soccer; and Robert Venditti, boys indoor rrack.

Visit riverreportersports.com for an album of pictures from the awards evening.