East Haven Students Named SCC Scholar Athletes of the Month

East Haven’s Chris Mairano and Jessica Benevento were among the 12 student-athletes from six high schools to be named The SportsCenter of Connecticut/Southern Connecticut Conference Scholar Athletes of the Month for December.

Now in its ninth year, The SportsCenter of Connecticut/SCC Scholar Athlete of the Month program will honor outstanding young men and women each month during the 2014-15 academic year.

“Many thanks to the Sports Center of Connecticut for its support of the SCC and the Scholar Athlete of the Month program,” SCC Commissioner Al Carbone said. “This conference has been proud of its success for the last 20-plus years, and to be able to recognize outstanding young men and women who demonstrate the desire and ability to succeed solidifies what the SCC is all about.”

Each SCC member school can nominate up to two honorees per season (fall, winter and spring). The Conference will announce the winter recipients in December, January and February.

Student athletes who are selected must be a varsity letter-winner and have a 3.0/B average while demonstrating leadership qualities such as: being a positive role model; helping teammates overcome adversity; showing a commitment to self-improvement; or putting the needs of the team before themselves.

Sports Center of CT/SCC Scholar Athlete of the Month recipients and receive a certificate, commemorative T-shirt and a SportsCenter of Connecticut activity pass.

Mairano, a three-sport (football, wrestling and outdoor track & field) athlete for the Yellowjackets, has been an outstanding performer in the classroom. A CAPT Scholar and AP student, he ranks 18th in his class and holds a 3.9 grade-point average.

Mairano served as captain of the Easties’ football squad this past fall.

“Chris is constantly working to improve himself and is always supportive of his teammates,” East Haven athletic director Anthony Verderame said. “His dedication and motivation are contagious.”

Benevento, the captain of the Yellowjackets’ basketball squad, has been outstanding in the classroom. A member of the National Honor Society, she sports a 3.88 grade-point average.

Benevento is also a member of the Marching, Jazz and Symphonic bands.

“Jessica epitomizes the term student-athlete,” East Haven girls’ basketball coach Anthony Russell said. “She is one of the most diligent and successful student athletes I have encountered. She makes East Haven proud and she serves as a role model for the underclassmen.”