One coach and mentor has been inspiring excellence and personal growth through the Central Square School District rifle team since 1966.

Coach Paul Menjik, now 87, has led the rifle program for decades and was honored Friday, May 19 with a commendation from the New York State Senate presented by state Sen. John Mannion.

Mannion was on hand along with dozens of former and current student-athletes who were coached by Menjik, who also spent many years as a business and driver’s education instructor with the district.

“We are all here to honor Paul Menjik, and it is very fitting that the person that is here to recognize him is also a career educator,” said Central Square Superintendent Thomas J. Colabufo. “Both Paul Menjik and Senator Mannion spent years in the classroom supporting students and making sure students and staff have what they need.”

For the first time in school history, the entire first team of shooters on the rifle team were all girls – and the team won the Section III title this year. The championship team was comprised of Mea Coppola, Raechel Fleischmann, Jade Hansen, Catherine Hayes, Emma Lacey and Nina Stalsonberg.

Menjik has long stressed the importance of working hard in the classroom, and this year’s first team earned a combined 97 average.

Mannion presented Menjik with an official New York State Senate Commendation Award.

Pictured at center of bottom row is Coach Paul Menjik, who has coached the rifle team at Central Square School District since 1966. He is pictured with former student-athletes who he coached and mentored in attendance to honor Menjik on Friday, May 19, 2023.