Daniel Bonner is the 2014 Art Monk Scholarship Award Recipient
Art Monk is a native of White Plains who grew up on Battle Avenue. He graduated from White Plains High School in 1976, as one of the most noted athletes to wear a Tigers uniform.
Monk’s superior athletic ability propelled him to be a star in track and field and football at WPHS. Upon his graduation, Monk was awarded an athletic scholarship to play football at Syracuse University.
Monk’s accomplishments as a wide receiver for the Orange Men from 1976-‘79, led to him being selected in the first round of the 1980 NFL Draft, by the Washington Redskins. Monk’s career in the NFL spanned 15 years, while playing for the Redskins (1980-’93) New York Jets (1994) and Philadelphia Eagles (1995).
He was selected to the NFL All Rookie Team his first year in the league and was a three-time Pro Bowl selection. Monk won three Super Bowl Titles while playing for the Redskins and four NFC Championships. He is designated as one of the 70 Greatest Redskins All-Time and he was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2008.
At Syracuse University, Monk was awarded the Lambert Trophy his freshman and senior years, as the top college football player in the Eastern United States. Furthermore, he was distinguished with college football’s top honor while being inducted into the Football Bowl Subdivision College Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
Nonetheless, through all his accolades and accomplishments Monk never forgot growing up in White Plains above the Shiloh Gospel Chapel and the support he received from his family, friends, teachers and coaches that helped him propel his football career.
Monk decided 17 years ago to establish the Art Monk Scholarship Award to give back to the White Plains High School football community. Monk designed a trophy and contributes $1000 each year, which is presented to a student/athlete on the Tigers football team, who is athletically inclined but also academically proficient and active in their community.
The 2014 Art Monk Scholarship Award winner is Daniel Bonner, who will attend Monroe College in September. Bonner was a linebacker with the Tigers, who played an intricate role in the team winning the Section 1 Title last season.
“I cannot express how grateful I am to coach and everyone. It is an honor,” stated Bonner. “I live with my grandmother Ester Bonner right now, and I know she is really proud of me,” expressed the 2014 Art Monk Award recipient.
Bonner had 46 solo tackles, 29 assist tackles, five interceptions, two fumble recoveries and two sacks during his senior year. “From the work Daniel did from his junior year to his senior year, his leadership and his performance on the field made him the best deserved candidate for this award,” declared Tigers Head Coach Skip Stevens.
Bonner also raised his GPA to 3.1 during his senior year and after every football practiced he volunteered with the Tigers Youth Football Program with Coach Jimmy Huebner, who was also Bonner’s mentor. Bonner also assisted the Rotary Club with feeding the hungry and participated in Gilda’s Stair Climb at the Ritz Carlton to benefit Cancer research.
Dan Woodard, a former principal at WPHS and the present Chairman of the Loucks Track & Field Games is a longtime friend of Monk’s, who presents the Art Monk Scholarship Award each year. “I think this young man is certainly a tribute to Art Monk. Art takes this scholarship very seriously and we get the best candidate each year because that is Art’s standard,” stated Woodard.
