Number of Participants: 30
Hours Donated: 6
Value of Time Served: $6,262
Event Type: Health & Safety
Activity: Volleyball
School: Monticello High School
Date: September 23, 2025
Location:
Monticello High School
School Boulevard, Monticello
MN
About:
Student-athletes from the Monticello and Big Lake volleyball programs have come together in recent years to host impactful Mental Health Awareness Nights, demonstrating how athletics can serve as a meaningful platform to promote emotional well-being and reduce stigma.
During these varsity matchups, fans are encouraged to wear green — the nationally recognized color for mental health awareness — creating a powerful visual display of unity and support throughout the gym. The events help spark important conversations within both school communities and reinforce the message that mental health matters and that no one should feel alone in their struggles.
Monticello Volleyball first introduced Mental Health Awareness Night in the fall of 2022, establishing a tradition centered on compassion, education, and connection. That year, team captains Kaylee Stegora and Lizzie Sigler partnered with school counselors to provide resource tables at the gym entrance. Counselors shared information on available support services and distributed stress-relief items such as fidget spinners and stress balls to help students better understand coping strategies.
The initiative continued to grow in 2023, when Monticello partnered with Big Lake Volleyball to host a similar awareness night. With support from the Booster Club, a private donor helped fund matching awareness T-shirts for Monticello players, strengthening unity between the programs.
In 2024, captains Alayna Opatz, Brooklyn Sigler, and Liv Frie worked closely with school counselors to organize resources and deliver a brief statement prior to the varsity match, further emphasizing the importance of open dialogue around mental health. The Booster Club again played a key role by designing and purchasing awareness shirts, while both Monticello and Big Lake teams wore matching gear to show their shared commitment. The Booster Club also collaborated with the local nonprofit Thumbs Up to provide bracelets and stickers to help raise awareness and encourage conversations among students and spectators.
The partnership continued in 2025 when Monticello supported Big Lake as they hosted their Mental Health Awareness Night, reinforcing a growing tradition of collaboration focused on student wellness.
A driving force behind the success of these events has been Booster Club president Andrea Sigler, along with her daughters Lizzie and Brooklyn, whose leadership and dedication have helped bring each initiative to life. Through their efforts — and the continued involvement of student-athletes, counselors, and community partners — both volleyball programs are helping foster a culture of empathy, understanding, and support.
Mental Health Awareness Nights like these highlight the expanding leadership role student-athletes are taking in promoting wellness initiatives within their schools. By using sports as a vehicle for advocacy and connection, the Monticello and Big Lake volleyball communities are creating meaningful change that extends far beyond the court.
