The NAF Academy of Finance at Monticello High School provides a flexible four year program that students can first enroll in at the end of eighth grade. It welcomes all students, regardless of future career interests. The skills acquired through participation in the NAF Academy of Finance are beneficial in any career path. Additionally, through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance “VITA” program, juniors and seniors learn about contributing to their community.
This program is a member program of NAF, which was founded in New York City by a partnership of schools and the financial services industry. There are over 600 NAF Academies in the United States.
Our Academy collaborates with local businesses to create and provide financial education opportunities for Monticello High School students. Opportunities within NAF Academy of Finance include paid internships, IRS tax preparer certification, job shadowing, guest speakers, field trips, event planning, and senior year mentoring among others. To learn more about the NAF Academy of Finance please contact the AOF program director through the main office of Monticello High School at 845-794-8840.
Academy Opportunities
To maximize the benefits of the Academy of Finance’s program, we advise students to enroll in courses beginning in grade 9. These classes run concurrently with the standard academic curriculum mandated by New York State for graduation from High School.
Internships
After successfully completing their junior year, students are eligible to apply to a paid internship at a local business. Through our internship program, students gain valuable opportunities, explore real-world experiences, investigate career interests, and develop essential skills.
Recent (Past) internships include summer employment at:
- Kristt Kelly Office System Corp.
- M.L. Zager P.C.
- Pasta D’Oro
- The Center for Discovery
- Sullivan County Government Center
- Sullivan Renaissance
- Town of Mamakating Day Camp
- Wechsler Pool Supply
College Credit
Students are required to take at least one SUNY Sullivan course. Financial assistance is available to those students who qualify.
Community Service
Students develop personal growth, participate in civic engagement, build connections, and enhance their college application by participating in community service activities.
Field Trips
NAF Academy of Finance students enjoy a range of field trip opportunities. Past visits have included financial landmarks such as the New York Stock Exchange, the Federal Reserve Bank, the 911 Museum and other interesting financial sites. Not to mention our local ‘landmarks’ such as SUNY Sullivan Community College, and Bethel Woods, just to name a few.
The benefits of the Academy include:
- Paid internships
- Scholarships
- IRS tax preparer certification
- Job shadow opportunities
- College courses
- Alumni and community member guest speakers
- Advisory board mentor program
- Field trips
- Event planning, including fundraising experiences
- College tours
- Participation in extracurricular club activities
- Opportunity to become a student leader
- Resume preparation and mock interviews
- Career exploration and informational interviews
- Business dress, behavior and etiquette training
- Potential to earn national certification
- Access to a growing network of business professionals as an AOF alumnus
- Become part of our family of students
Meet Our Board
The AOF currently has nine board members. Each board member makes valuable contributions to the Academy of Finance whether that is by overseeing or participating in the Mentor/Mentee program with AOF Seniors, supporting our VITA program, bringing in local businesspeople to speak to our students or assisting with summer internships. Each advisor plays a valuable role and brings years of experience to benefit our program and students.
Christine Borelli

Anna Bittinger
Anna Bittinger is a proud 2018 graduate of the Monticello High School Academy of Finance. Her experience in the program laid the foundation for her academic and professional journey, inspiring her to pursue a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Management at Ithaca College.
After graduating, Anna joined Irwin Siegel Agency, where she quickly advanced through roles in Business Development, Insurance Operations, and Management. Her early work focused on sales development and marketing initiatives. As she transitioned into operations, Anna became deeply involved in business analytics, strategic process improvement, and cross-functional project management. Now serving as Director of Operations, she leads a team of entry-level insurance professionals and collaborates closely with executive leadership to align talent development with organizational goals. Through this work, Anna has discovered a strong passion for mentoring and developing early-career professionals, helping them grow into confident and capable contributors.
Anna is excited to return to the Academy of Finance as an advisory board member, bringing her experience in leadership, analytics, and process improvement to support and mentor the next generation of AOF students.
John Camera

Simon Gonzalez

James Hiciano
James Hiciano is a proud graduate of the Monticello High School Academy of Finance and a first-generation high school and college graduate. After completing the AOF program in 2019, James earned his BBA from the University at Albany, concentrating in Finance and Information Systems & Business Analytics, with additional minors in Economics and Psychology.
Following graduation, James began his career in the commercial insurance industry and currently serves as an Underwriter Assistant at Ryan Specialty’s Irwin Siegel Agency. In this role, he supports underwriting teams that manage multimillion-dollar books of business by evaluating risk, researching discrepancies, and contributing to initiatives aimed at enhancing productivity — including efforts driven by artificial intelligence.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, James brings a deep sense of purpose to every space he enters. As someone who once navigated the challenges of education and early career exploration without a roadmap, he is passionate about guiding the next generation.
He offers not only technical expertise in finance and analytics, but also a unique ability to connect with students through shared experience. His goals are to help shape meaningful programming and ensure that students are provided with equitable opportunities.
In his free time, James enjoys exploring new cities, attending concerts, and reading.
Susan Horton
Sue currently co-owns an architect company, Horton Malone Architects and had a career as a CPA. She is retired from SUNY Sullivan, where she was the CFO. She currently is a member of Sullivan County BOCES Board of Education and is the Treasurer for the Garnet Catskill Foundation Board. She has been a mainstay in the community, has held leadership positions at a number of organizations including SC Chamber of Commerce, SC Partnership for Economic Development, SC School Boards Association, NYS Society of CPAs, MCSD Board of Education, and Community College Business Officers Association (CCBOA).
Bradlyn Matican

Renata Mazzio
- New York State School District Leader • School Building Leader • Art Teacher (K-12)
- Education and Vocational Supervisor – NYS Department of Corrections & Community Supervision
- Managed academic and vocational programs that included high school equivalency (TASC/GED), college classes and trade training programs (barbering, small engine repair, custodial and building maintenance).
- Supervised/evaluated education and vocational staff, including training and professional development.
- Worked with county and local governments, and various school districts and BOCES to provide the general public with relevant, clear communications on programs, curriculum, initiatives and budgets.
- Created printed and electronic publications such as newsletters and slideshows.
- Worked as a community reporter covering human interest stories for the Times Herald Record.
- Created/taught NY State Learning Standards-based curriculum for advanced studio art program. (10-12)
- Worked closely with the administration to highlight the art program as a marketing feature.
- Helped guide students to identify college and career paths.
- Helped students create professional-style portfolios.
- Worked with students to create sellable art products for fundraising.
Laura Quigley

Chris Schmidt

Jane Sorensen

Jane Sorensen is the Family Engagement and Program Manager for Every Person Influences Children (EPIC) at Monticello Central School District. She brings a wealth of knowledge in Family Engagement and Community Outreach. It is in this role that she is actively involved in outreach to parents, community members, school administrators, and students to encourage greater participation of parents in their children’s education.
Mrs. Sorensen collaborates with administrators and community members to implement numerous initiatives such as the “Parent University”, Sullivan Renaissance Garden Project, STEM Student Led Project of H2O EZ Water Fountains District Wide, Hospitality Green’s Waste Reduction and Recycling Program, and students after-school club such as the EPIC’s Creative Drama Club & Environmental Stewardship Club. The latest initiative is the Tiny Town Program, a program for parents of infants and toddlers. She has the leadership skills and knowledge to get programs up and running and to help provide excellent service.
Mrs. Sorensen sits on several advisory boards in Sullivan County: The Catskill Regional Medical Center @ Garnett Hospital, SALT, Sullivan Allies Lead Together Committee, the Districts Health & Wellness, Early Childhood Development Committee and Chairs the AOF Mentor Program and Co-Vice President of the Advisory board of the Academy of Finance.
She enjoys cooking, taking long walks, hikes and yoga. She also volunteers her time to work with students at St. Peter’s Religious Education Program in Monticello for Sunday school.
John Veleber

Advisory Board of Directors Walton Flood Commission
Board of Directors (former) Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce Foundation
Board of Directors (former) Delaware County Chamber of Commerce
Advisory Board of Directors Monticello Academy of Finance
Board of Directors-Secr (former) New Hope Community – Chair, Strategic Planning
of Directors Board-Treas (former) Sullivan ARC
Advisor (former) SCORE – Counselors to Americas Small Businesses
President Leadership Sullivan Class of 2008
Pennsylvania Bankers Association – Advanced Commercial Lending School
Valparaiso University – Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. Major: Finance, Minor: Economics
High School Diploma – Ridgewood High School, Ridgewood NJ
2023-24 Classes
For over 20 years, our NAF Academy of Finance high school graduation rate has been at or near 100%. Check out our classes below for the 2024 – 2025 school year. It is never too early or too late to sign up!
Grades 9 & 10
AOF Entrepreneurship
AOF Delivering Great Customer Service/Marketing
Grade 11
AOF Accounting*
SUNY Sullivan Computer Applications*
Grade 12
Financial Decision Making “FDM”*
*Required Courses for NAFTrack Certification
What can the AOF offer you?
Archives
AOF Mentorship Program closes out school year with fun activities (6/3/2025)
AOF students visit Schmidt’s Wholesale (5/15/25)
AOF seniors celebrate annual dinner (4/25/25)
NAF students visited by Deputy County Manager Michelle Huck (3/31/25)
Academy of Finance Business Club wraps gifts for community service (1/13/2025)
Academy of Finance hosts annual breakfast (12/13/2024)
AOF mentors grow strong partnerships with students (12/3/2024)
Local business leaders visit MHS Academy of Finance (10/17/2024)
Academy of Finance students visit NYC’s financial district (5/13/2024)
Monticello High School Academy of Finance featured on Broadcast Retirement Network (3/7/2024)
AOF students attend NYSSCPA’s annual career day in NYC (5/12/23)
MHS Academy of Finance students save community members $42K in tax preparation fees (4/20/23)
MHS Academy of Finance students complete a busy and engaging first semester (2/7/2023)
MHS NAF Academy of Finance students learn business dining etiquette during field trip (12/9/2022)
MHS NAF Academy of Finance Students Offer Free Tax Services (1/24/2022)
MCSD NAF Academy of Finance announces scholarship winners (7/1/2021)
Spectrum News covers the Academy of Finance’s VITA program (3/5/2021)
Join the AOF for Friday Kahoot Trivia Nights (2/23/2021)
Did you make less than $57,000 last year? Get your taxes prepared for free (1/29/2021)
Build a snowman, win a prize from the AOF (12/15/2021)
Monticello students get hands-on experience and connect with department directors at the Kartrite Resort (1/16/2020)
Academy of Finance Seniors Offer Free Tax Services (1/13/2020)
AOF students attend YEG symposium (11/22/19)
AOF accounting students head to the big apple (11/14/19)
Academy of Finance students get interview crash course from LEGOLAND (10/2/19)
Runners and restaurants collide at “A Taste of Sullivan County 5K” (5/24/19)
AOF students visit NYC (5/24/19)
AOF alumnus returns to visit with students (5/20/19)
Advisory Board member conducts student mock interviews (5/20/19)
Senior AOF students honored at annual reception (5/16/19)
AOF students celebrate FBLA day with Binghamton Devils (2/28/19)
Alumna Brasington visits MHS AOF (1/8/19)
Dress for success: Advice from a local businesswoman (10/16/2017)
AOF students visit Sullivan County farms (9/22/2017)