Danielle Muoney, speaking as a parent and resident, told the Niagara-Wheatfield Central School District board Tuesday that her son, Joey Muni, a 2023 Niagara-Wheatfield High School graduate, died by suicide just over a year ago and that the family wants to turn their loss into prevention and support for others.

“Joey wasn't just a name or a statistic,” Muoney said. “He was a son, a brother, a friend. … Suicide doesn't always look like what we think it does. It can live behind a smile and in someone who appears strong, happy, and full of life.”

Muoney said she and her husband have met with district representatives and that it was brought to her attention that the district is already taking action "behind the scenes to educate staff and students and promote awareness starting with this upcoming school year as well as consideration being given to make changes to the current school policy regarding scholarship opportunities." She told the board the family would like to support education and awareness efforts and is exploring a scholarship in Joey’s memory focused on mental-health education.

Muoney described Joey as a multi‑sport athlete and a social-media content creator who had a job and “dreams and aspirations.” She asked the board to prioritize education, awareness and destigmatization so other families might be spared similar loss.

No formal board action or vote on a scholarship or policy change was recorded at the meeting; Muoney thanked the board for steps already under consideration and offered the family’s assistance.