Con Edison Announces Winners of 69th Annual Westchester Scholastic Sports Award

Con Edison honored 26 winners of the Westchester Scholastic Sports Award who were selected as “Athletes of the Week” during the 2019-2020 school year. The winners join 2,624 other students who have received this coveted award since 1951.

The virtual ceremony honored and highlighted the winners’ excellence in sports, academics and community service. The virtual event replaced the annual banquet because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The moderator of the weekly scholastic-athlete program, Rich Leaf, announced the winners. Students received congratulatory messages from Westchester County Executive George Latimer, Con Edison Vice President of Electric Operations Shakira Wilson, and Athletic Director of the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns and former Con Edison Scholastic Athlete Michael Arias.

In addition to the prestige of being named a Scholar-Athlete of the Week, four students were selected to receive scholarships based on their outstanding achievements.

Of the finalists, Henrick Hudson High School’s James Reilly was chosen to receive the Red Klein Scholarship Award of $10,000 for exemplifying the character and ideals of the late Irwin “Red” Klein, a member of the original committee that created the Scholastic-Athlete Program.

Reilly will attend Johns Hopkins University and run for the track and field team. He was featured as Athlete of the Week on January 10, 2020.

Reilly was valedictorian of his class and the captain of the cross country, and indoor and outdoor track and field teams. He received all-league honors for indoor and outdoor track. Reilly was the most valuable jumper at the 2019 Hen Hud Field Fest. He was also a National Merit Scholar.

Reilly has been a volunteer supporting children and teens with developmental disorders. He participated in a university-sponsored science research program where he focused on more natural treatments for those with developmental disorders and mental illness.

Scarsdale High School’s Magan Chin earned the Tony Sabella Award of $5,000. She will attend Barnard College. Chin was featured as Athlete of the Week on September 13, 2019.

Chin was captain of the volleyball team and competed at the 2019 Junior National Championships in Indianapolis. Her club won the 2019 Garden Empire Volleyball Association regional championships. She was on the 2019 Under Armour All American Watchlist for Volleyball.

Chin was president of the National Art Honor Society and a member of the National Honor Society.

Ossining High School’s Nolan Lenaghan received the Bob Wolff Award of $5,000. He will attend Lafayette College and play for their soccer team. Lenaghan was featured Athlete of the Week on October 11, 2019.

Lenaghan was the all-time leading scorer in soccer in Ossining. He led his team to a league title and to the Section 1 finals. He was the recipient of the Larry Jensen Award and Lohud Westchester Player of the Year. He was honored as U.S. Coaches All-American. Lenaghan was class treasurer and a member of the National Honor Society.

Byram Hills High School’s Alexander Behar received the Doc Bland Award for $5,000. He will attend New York University and continue his wrestling career. He was the featured Athlete of the Week on February 28, 2020.

Behar was the wrestling program's all-time wins leader. He was Westchester County Champion and placed fourth at the Eastern States tournament. He was the first two-time captain in school history, serving as the captain of the combined Byram Hills/Westlake/Valhalla squad. Behar received the Bill Snyder Award and was a Columbia University Neuroscience participant.

Since 1951, Con Edison awarded more than $1 million in scholarships for this program.

“Athlete of the Week” winners are selected by an impartial panel of athletic directors and coaches.