42°
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association will present Mahopac with the 2016 Community Service Challenge award for Section 1 on July 26 during an association event in Verona, N. Y. High schools from six sections throughout the state submitted projects for the award, officials said.
“This is an award that means a lot to us and says a lot about what our school can accomplish,” said John Augusta, director of athletics, health and physical education at Mahopac. “It’s an honor to win."
The statewide program started in 2010. Students and schools submit project plans, goals and descriptions to the association, and a committee reviews them to determine winners from each section, officials said.
Mahopac's prom for senior citizens is a lunch and dance held annually on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, organized by the Mahopac Student Athletic Council. The students start planning in June, and hold fundraisers to put on the event for free.
About 200 people attend each year. The event is held in Mahopac's gymnasium.
“It was really fun to give back to the senior citizens and spend the day with them,” said Tara Ravoli, a four-year member of the Student Athletic Council.
The Student Athletic Council is made up of about 50 student athletes. School officials said nearly 75 people, including non-athletes, parents and school staff, take part in the planning, fundraising, and hosting the event.
“The Senior Prom has been a long standing event that we take pride in organizing every year for our community," senior Andrew Winogradoff said. "Seeing the youth and the seniors coming together to enjoy each other’s company is a great representation of what Mahopac’s community is all about.”
Click here to follow Daily Voice Putnam and receive free news updates.
