Monticello High School student Christopher Collado was recognized with a Board Award during the Jan. 22 Monticello Board of Education meeting, in celebration of his outstanding sportsmanship and kindness.
Christopher was nominated for this honor by Director of Physical Education, Health, Athletics and Wellness Ryan Jasper, after Mr. Jasper received an email after a football game penned by the parent of an opposing athlete. The parent had been so impressed by Christopher’s attitude and actions during a tense game on a rainy evening following a loss, they felt compelled to share what they had witnessed. Here’s what the email said:
“It’s not often that you see genuine kindness and compassion at a football game from an opposing team but tonight one young man stood out tremendously and I truly feel recognition is deserved. After the game was over when the teams lined up you could hear from the stands a Monticello player congratulating our boys, blessing them, and telling them what a great game it was. He literally said this to every one of our players and coaches as he passed them by. Then after, I saw him at the concession stand and heard him tell the people working the stand thank you, bless you and great game to them as well. Sitting here after the game I was watching back videos I had taken and again here was this young man, on the field, after several plays, helping our players up. So many times I’ve seen games where the other team is losing and sportsmanship goes out the window but not today. Number 44 showed humbleness, compassion, a love for the game but even more love for others. I hope you will share this with the athletic director, coaches, #44 and his parents because this young man deserves recognition. He warmed my heart and could tell without even knowing him what an amazing person he is. Everyone should strive to show just an ounce of what that young man did tonight.”
Congratulations to Christopher for receiving this award, but more importantly for being a shining example of class, integrity and respect!