Aiden Johnson honored as Monticello’s OCIAA Scholar Athlete

Aiden Johnson stands with Sarah Grodin in front of a fountain
Aiden Johnson was the recipient of the 2019 Scholar Athlete award — a distinction that is presented to one male and one female senior student each year. Here, Aiden stands with Sarah Grodin, who was this year’s female recipient of the award.

Aiden Johnson was honored at the annual Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association’s (OCIAA) senior breakfast as one of Monticello’s Scholar Athlete award recipients. This annual award is presented by the OCIAA to one female and one male student from each OCIAA school, who ranks in the top 20 percent of his or her class, participates in at least one varsity sport, and is an above-average athlete who demonstrates outstanding citizenship. 

Aiden is the captain of the Monticello baseball and boys basketball team. He also plays travel baseball, participates in the trap shooting club and has played for the boys soccer team in the past. He is a student of Monticello High School’s prestigious Academy of Finance (AOF) and serves as the AOF’s secretary.

“I had no idea that I was going to win this award,” Aiden said. “I was so honored.”

After graduation, he plans on attending Siena College to study secondary education, citing his mother as an inspiration.

“My mother is a teacher’s assistant, and I’ve been able to visit her classroom and see what her job entails” he said. “It’s definitely something that I would love to do. I’d love to be a coach, also. I definitely have to thank my parents and coaches for helping me throughout the years. They’re always pushing me to be my best.”  

“Aiden is an exceptional athlete and dedicated student,” Superintendent of Schools Tammy Mangus said. “He demonstrates the leadership qualities that bring out the best in everyone around him. I was so excited to learn that he hopes to use these gifts to mold the lives of others as an educator and I know he will go on to accomplish great things in life.”