Mount Vernon School Board Honors Student Athletes

From Mt. Vernon Schools: For this team, winning was never the priority. Instead, the Pioneer League’s Mount Vernon Knights provided its members with an opportunity to represent their district in a positive way. But on June 19, at the Mount Vernon City School District’s Board of Education meeting, the team was recognized with medals just the same.

“We need to recognize all students because that’s who we’re here to serve,” said Adriane Saunders, President of the Board of Education. “Receiving these medals made these student athletes feel so proud. In the Pioneer League, everybody’s a winner!”

The Pioneer League is a Hudson Valley division of the New York State Special Olympics. Mount Vernon had a team decades ago, revived the program, and has been under the guidance of head Coach Rocco Alianiello for the past two years. “Coach Rocky”, as the kids know him, was presented with a plaque for his service as were his assistants.

“There’s nothing more special than getting the opportunity to work with the most special students in the whole district,” he said while accepting his award from Saunders.

The Knights participated in a total of twenty-five competitions this school year in four sports; indoor soccer, poly-hockey, basketball and volleyball. They faced teams from New Rochelle, Mamaroneck, White Plains, Somers, Carmel, Ossining, Lakeland and Woodlands. But it was always a mutually supportive environment.

“They not only supported their teammates, they supported members of the other teams as well,” said Rachel DePaul, Assistant Director of Special Education. “Reinstating this program provided students who otherwise wouldn’t play sports an opportunity to take part and thrive!”

PHOTO/ Mount Vernon school district