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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Sept. 11, 2001
Contact: John Johnson or Randy Allen 517.332.5046 or
www.mhsaa.com
Scholar-Athlete Applications Now
Available
In Member Schools, On Internet
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Sept. 11 - Thousands of students voluntarily
extend their classroom day by taking part in extra-curricular
activities, often improving their academic achievements in the
process. The value that such programs play in the total education
of a high school student is highlighted through the Michigan
High School Athletic Association's Scholar-Athlete Award, which
is in its 11th year of awarding $1,000 scholarships to 24 top
student-athletes from member schools, and which will recognize
over 3,000 other outstanding individuals in 2001-02. Since its
inception in 1988-89, Farm Bureau has presented over $250,000
in scholarships through this program.
The Scholar-Athlete Award, underwritten by Farm Bureau Insurance,
presents a scholarship in every activity in which the Association
sponsors a post-season tournament. The scholarships may be used
at the institution of higher learning the recipients attend during
the first year at those colleges.
"It is amazing to see the number of young people who are
proven achievers in academics and activities," said John
E. "Jack" Roberts, executive director of the MHSAA.
"At a time when our educational system is coming under fire,
the Scholar-Athlete Award is something that proves how important
a controlled and regulated athletics program is to the development
of a well-rounded person's development."
Students applying for the Scholar-Athlete Award must be graduating
during the 2001-02 school year, be carrying an unrounded 3.50
(on a 4.0) grade point average, and have previously won a letter
in a varsity sport in which the MHSAA sponsors post-season competition.
Applicants will also be required to show involvement in other
school-community activities and submit an essay on the importance
of sportsmanship in educational athletics.
Each MHSAA member school will be allowed to nominate one student-athlete
in each championship activity, and an individual may be nominated
in more than one sport.
Applications are available through all MHSAA member schools or
through the Services page of the Association's Web Site - www.mhsaa.com.
Students must submit their applications to their school principals
by November 19, 2001. Schools have additional materials to submit
with student applications, and each school must submit all of
its applications at one time. Individually-mailed applications
to the MHSAA office will not be accepted.
A committee composed of school administrators from across the
state will select regional and statewide winners.
Farm Bureau, a long-time supporter of MHSAA activities, also
sponsors other educationally-oriented programs. Executive Vice-President
Larry W. Thomas notes the company's pleasure with the awards
program.
"All of us at Farm Bureau Insurance are proud to reward
special, well-rounded young people who have developed both physical
and academic skills," Thomas said. "To accomplish both
while giving of themselves to their schools and their communities
are outstanding traits that must be recognized and rewarded."
The 24 scholarship recipients will be recognized at the MHSAA
Boys Basketball Finals at the Breslin Student Events Center in
East Lansing on March 23, 2002.
The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary
membership by over 1,300 public and private senior high schools
and junior high/middle schools which exists to develop common
rules for athletic eligibility and competition. No government
funds or tax dollars support the MHSAA, which was the first such
association nationally to not accept membership dues or tournament
entry fees from schools. Member schools which enforce these
rules are permitted to participate in MHSAA tournaments, which
attract over 1.6 million spectators each year.
MEDIA ADVISORY - For additional information about Farm Bureau's
involvement in this program, contact Luke Schafer at 517/323-7000.
Farm Bureau Insurance is a year-round MHSAA Corporate Partner |