The Monticello Central School District Athletic Department has been recognized for its outstanding commitment to service and student achievement, earning the Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association (OCIAA) Community Service Challenge Award at the organization’s annual Scholar Athlete Breakfast. The honor reflects the department’s ongoing efforts to give back to the community while also developing well-rounded student-athletes.
Adding to the celebration, Monticello High School seniors Reagan Zangla and George Gachechiladz were named OCIAA Scholar Athletes for the 2025–26 school year. This distinction is bestowed upon one female and one male student from each high school within the OCIAA’s jurisdiction. It recognizes excellence both in the classroom and in athletic competition.
The Community Service Challenge Award underscores a year of impactful initiatives led by Monticello teams and student organizations. Among those efforts was a meaningful contribution by the girls modified volleyball team. On Friday, Dec. 19, team members, along with head coach Josie Wilson and assistant coach James Luckey, presented a $300 donation to Megan Evans, manager of philanthropy at Garnet Health. The funds will benefit Garnet Catskills’ Oncology Department.
The team raised the money during a “Pink Out” game earlier in the season, where athletes wore pink, collected donations, and hosted a bake sale to support breast cancer awareness, research, and treatment. The initiative brought together athletes, staff, and community members for an important cause, demonstrating how sports can serve as a powerful platform for compassion and advocacy.
Monticello’s commitment to community service also includes building strong connections with younger students across the district. Through a series of outreach efforts, high school athletes have been helping to inspire the next generation of Panthers.
At St. John Street preschool, Monticello High School athletes participated in a Dr. Seuss read-along, creating a fun and engaging experience for the district’s youngest learners. The visit left a lasting impression, with preschool students excitedly talking about the “big kids” who came to read and sharing their own dreams of playing sports one day.
That sense of connection continues at the elementary level through the district’s Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC). Now in its second year, the student-led group organized “SAAC Day” at Emma C. Chase Elementary School and Kenneth L. Rutherford Elementary School. High school athletes visited both schools to introduce a variety of sports, share their personal experiences, and lead interactive activities designed to give younger students a glimpse into athletic opportunities available to them in the future.
These efforts are helping to make the transition into middle school athletics more accessible, while sparking interest and enthusiasm early on. By building familiarity and excitement, Monticello’s athletes are encouraging younger students to see themselves as future participants in school sports programs.
In addition, Monticello’s JV and varsity baseball teams extended their outreach through a Little League clinic for local youth players. The clinic provided hands-on instruction and mentorship, further strengthening ties between school athletics and the broader community while helping young athletes develop their skills and confidence.
Together, these initiatives illustrate why Monticello earned the OCIAA Community Service Challenge Award. From fundraising for healthcare causes to mentoring younger students and supporting youth athletics, Monticello’s student-athletes consistently demonstrate leadership, generosity, and a commitment to making a difference.
With the dual recognition of community service excellence and the academic and athletic accomplishments of Reagan Zangla and George Gachechiladz, Monticello’s Athletic Department continues to exemplify the values of teamwork, service, and Panther pride.