Meet Monti

This is Keelin Donohue, a Lake Monticello resident who used a phone app to create the Lake’s very own mascot when she was 14 years old. In the summer of 2022, LMOA held a mascot design contest; the community chose Keelin’s lovable creature as the winner. “I’m so excited the community chose my Monti – a sweet, playful lake monster that puts a smile on people’s faces!”

Creating Monti wasn’t Keelin’s first creative endeavor. “I am self-taught, and I have always liked to design and draw cute cartoon characters for my sisters, Mae and Gracie,” the teen shared. “I want to continue to explore artwork throughout high school and college and design animated characters for movies and shows.”

“When I heard about the contest, I went straight to drawing sketches with pencil on paper,” Keelin recalled. “At first, Monti had teeth, but he looked too scary. Then I thought Monti needed something on his head. Gracie came home with a newspaper hat that she made at school, and it was perfect!”

In the final phase, Keelin used a free app on her smartphone to complete her concept, turning her sketch into a cartoon character ready for print. She was one of 62 Lake Monticello and Fluvanna County residents who submitted a design. In addition to a gift certificate and art supplies, Keelin won a place in Lake Monticello’s history books as the creator of a mascot that will warm peoples’ hearts for generations to come. “That’s a wonderful thought,” she concluded. “I hope Monti makes you happy!”