Scholars & Athletes 2019: Class C & D

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

February 4, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The Michigan High School Athletic Association has selected 11 student-athletes from Class C and D member schools to receive scholarships through the MHSAA/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award program.

Farm Bureau Insurance, in its 30^th year of sponsoring the award, will give $1,000 college scholarships to 32 individuals who represent their member schools in at least one sport in which the Association sponsors a postseason tournament. The first 30 scholarships are awarded proportionately by school classification and the number of student-athletes involved in those classes; also, there are two at-large honorees who can come from any classification.

Students applying for the Scholar-Athlete Award must be carrying at least a 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average and have previously won a letter in a varsity sport in which the Michigan High School Athletic Association sponsors a postseason tournament. Other requirements for the applicants were to show active participation in other school and community activities and produce an essay on the importance of sportsmanship in educational athletics.

Each of the scholarship recipients will be honored at a halftime ceremony during the Class C Boys Basketball Final, March 16, at the Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing. Commemorative medallions will be given to the finalists in recognition of their accomplishments.

The Class C Scholar-Athlete Award honorees are: Rachel Allen, Mason County Central; Precious Delos Santos, Indian River Inland Lakes; Lauren Freeland, Kent City; Riley Poupore, Iron Mountain; Trey Feldeisen, Ann Arbor Greenhills; Dane Smitz, Roscommon; and Alexander VanDeWeghe, Ithaca.

The Class D Scholar-Athlete Award recipients are: Abbey Bullis, Peck; Samantha Somers, Mackinaw City; Brendan LeClaire, Dollar Bay; and Ryan Yahner, McBain Northern Michigan Christian.

Overviews of the scholarship recipients of the Class C Scholar-Athlete Award follow. A quote from each recipient's essay also is included:

Rachel Allen, Mason County Central
Playing fourth season of varsity basketball, ran four seasons of varsity cross country and will run her fourth of track & field this spring. Earned all-state recognition in basketball and track and all-league in cross country, in addition to academic all-state or all-league honors in all three sports. Served as basketball captain three years and helped team to District title in 2018. Participating in fourth year of National Honor Society and served as class and student council vice president both for three years. Earned MCC’s HG Bacon Award for high academic success through all three trimesters her first three years of high school and was invited to leadership summit at Grand Valley State University as a junior. Has participated in a number of volunteer service projects throughout high school and this year is taking part in in-the-field clinical rotations as part of Allied Health Technology course. Will attend Calvin College and study speech/language pathology.

Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship is frequently thought to be how you present yourself outwardly on the court or the field. I believe sportsmanship is much more. It is the person who puts the team first, yet constantly strives to better themselves. Sportsmanship truly shines in the person you are behind the scenes.”

Precious Delos Santos, Indian River Inland Lakes
Playing fourth season of varsity basketball, ran four seasons of varsity cross country and will play her fourth season of varsity softball and run fourth of track & field this spring. Earned all-league honors in cross country, track and softball. Started for MHSAA Finals Division 4 champion softball team in 2017 and runner-up in 2016, helped cross country teams advance to MHSAA Finals twice and served as captain of basketball and softball teams. Participating in fourth year of student council and has served as president, and participated in three years of band including as drum major. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and robotics and serves as a peer tutoring mentor. Will attend Saginaw Valley State University and study neuroscience.

Essay Quote: “I believe sportsmanship is more than just lifting an opponent from the ground or giving respect when the opponent becomes injured – or maybe even respecting the game and being willing to shake the opposing teams’ hands after. … In (my) case, I believed helping another person gave me a greater feeling that finishing the race. I felt (that) if I was in the same situation as the girl (I helped), she would’ve done the same for me.”

Lauren Freeland, Kent City
Playing fourth season of varsity basketball, ran four seasons of varsity cross country and will run her fourth of track & field this spring. Earned all-state all four years of cross country and five times in track, and earned individual league and Regional championships in both. Helped all three teams to league championships and basketball team to Regional title in 2018 and District title in 2016. Served as captain in basketball and cross country and holds school records in cross country and track. Earned academic all-state honors in cross country and track. Participating in third year of National Honor Society and has assisted in a number of youth athletics activities as a coach, administrator and official; also served as a teacher’s assistant in summer reading program. Participating in fourth year of youth group. Will attend Michigan State University and study business.

Essay Quote: “The most amazing thing about high school sports are the friendships you can make and the impact you can have on someone else. There are very few other places in life (where) you can have a strong bond with someone through pain. … How true it is that we all, as runners, are able to come together as friends because we understand the work one another has put in.”

Riley Poupore, Iron Mountain
Playing fourth year of varsity basketball and will play her fourth of varsity soccer and run her second of track & field this spring; also played two seasons of varsity volleyball. Served as team captain of volleyball, basketball and soccer teams multiple seasons and earned all-league honors in basketball and soccer. Ran on MHSAA Finals championship track relay team and owns school and league records for single-season soccer goals. Participating in second year of Iron Mountain Honor Society and fourth on Iron Mountain/Kingsford Youth Advisory Committee, and serving as president of latter this school year. Also participating in fourth years of key club and varsity club (as president of both) and served two years as student council representative. Served as group or team building leader for North Dickinson Schools Leadership Conference for two years and as youth leader for youth summit conference for three years. Will attend Central Michigan University and study pre-medicine.

Essay Quote: “How could a player from the other team, a team that my team was trying to beat, say something so kind, so moving, in such a tense situation? How could this girl from the other team know what I needed at that moment? … That small gesture has instilled in me the true definition of sportsmanship.”

Trey Feldeisen, Ann Arbor Greenhills
Played four seasons of varsity tennis and will play his fourth of varsity lacrosse this spring. Served as captain of both teams. Earned two MHSAA Finals individual flight championships and contributed to two team tennis championships and two runner-up finishes. Earned all-state recognition in both tennis and lacrosse. Participating in fourth year of forensics and has helped team to two state championships and one runner-up finish. Earned multiple letters for service from the United Way of Washtenaw County and participated in medical service trips to Peru, Haiti and Kenya. Participating in third year of Model United Nations club and as secretary of training, and participating on inaugural leadership committee for school’s STEM society. Serving as youth representative to church’s staff-parish committee and as a cabinet member on Regional Youth Council. Participated in brain cancer research through University of Michigan. Will attend Washington University in Missouri and is still considering what he will study.

Essay Quote: “There are many opponents we face who have not played tennis since they were in preschool, and who (do) not have the skill that we as a team do. These matches are the ones that are most important to us and our coaches. We always push ourselves to win the ‘right’ way. This first and foremost means to show our opponents respect on and off the court.”

Dane Smitz, Roscommon
Playing third season of varsity basketball and played three of varsity football; will play fourth of varsity baseball this spring. Earned all-league honors in all three sports and all-state in football, and helped baseball team to District championships as a sophomore and junior. Served as captain of all three teams. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and as chapter vice president, and serving third year on Youth Advisory Council. Participating in fourth year of quiz bowl and this year as captain, and also participating in second year of interact club and fourth with church youth group. Earned a number of school academic honors and honorable mention for wood shop from Michigan Industrial Technology Education Society. Served as student leader of autism awareness group. Will attend Aquinas College and study pre-dental.

Essay Quote: “Always looking up to the older kids, I dreamed about being as good as they were at sports and representing their families as well as our community. As a captain, I know that even more focus is put on me as a student-athlete in our community. Whether it be handing over the ball to a referee after a touchdown or holding a door open for an elderly couple at a restaurant, small acts like these are what dictate the way future students and athletes will act at my school.”

Alexander VanDeWeghe, Ithaca
Will run his fourth season of varsity track & field this spring, and is a two-time all-stater and three-time MHSAA Finals qualifier. Served as team captain as a junior. Serving second year as student council president, fourth as Model United Nations team captain and third as quiz bowl team captain, and also as an executive board member for National Honor Society in his second year participating in the chapter. Earned all-league honors for quiz bowl and Model UN and recognition for the latter at competitions in Washington, D.C., and Indianapolis. Named Michigan Council for the Social Studies “Student of the Year.” Playing second year in school jazz band and played three as part of marching band. Participating in church youth group for fourth year. Will attend University of Michigan and study environmental engineering.

Essay Quote: “Every action I take during a competition, or even practice, is being observed and absorbed by those around, especially younger children who are easily impacted. Ultimately, the sphere of influence as an athlete is often significantly larger than we realize, and it is vital to be conscious of our actions in sports to ensure that the impact we leave on those around us is a positive one.”

Other Class C girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Sarah Barnes, Houghton Lake; Megan Dopheide, Lawton; Elizabeth O'Hotzke, Manchester; Joslyn Muth, Manistique; Jordan Cooper, Saranac; Thea Johnson, Saugatuck; Lillian Bambacht, Union City; and Jordan Craven, Whitmore Lake.

Other Class C boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Brian Goetz, Blissfield; Timothy Marvin, Byron; Noah Waldron, Concord; Jared Swiontek, East Jackson; Jack Sumners, Marcellus; Logan Marshall, Marlette; Logan Solgat, Marlette; Drew Ward, Saranac; and Nathan Huizar, Vassar.

Overviews of the scholarship recipients of the Class D Scholar-Athlete Award follow. A quote from each recipient's essay also is included:

Abbey Bullis, Peck
Playing her third season of varsity basketball and finished her second of varsity volleyball in the fall; will play her fourth of varsity softball this spring. Earned all-league honors in all three and helped basketball and softball teams to league titles. Served as captain of all three teams at least two seasons. Will graduate having completed nine college classes through dual enrollment and is participating in her third year of National Honor Society. Participating in fourth years on math academic games and quiz bowl teams and serving her fourth as her class vice president and as part of Sanilac County Youth Advisory Council. Participates in various volunteer efforts and earned President’s Gold Volunteer Service Award. Graduated from Hugh O’Brian (HOBY) leadership program and earned HOBY Leadership Certificate of Recognition. Will attend Oakland University and study mathematics.

Essay Quote: “I try to be a positive role model for the underclassmen at my school. When they are watching in the stands, I would like them to understand that sports are important, but how you carry yourself and treat others on the court is just as important. … Someone told me that people know me for my athletic ability and accomplishments, but that people remember me for the way I play the game and my positive attitude – win or lose. If this is true, I feel this is the best compliment I could be given.”

Samantha Somers, Mackinaw City
Playing third season of varsity basketball and ran her fourth of varsity cross country in the fall; will play her fourth of varsity softball this spring. Earned all-conference honors in all three sports and academic all-league in basketball and cross country. Served as captain of all three teams. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and as president, and has served as class president all four years of high school. Also serving third year on Straits Area Youth Advisory Council. Plays in concert and jazz bands and earned multiple high ratings, and earned multiple placings as part of Science Olympiad team. Participates in yearbook and Random Acts of Kindness Club. Will attend Wayne State University and study health science.

Essay Quote: “Educational athletics has taught me to be kind to others for no other reason than to be kind. For example, you do not have to high five other runners at the end of a race or help an opponent up when they fall in basketball, but you do it without thinking of a reward for doing it. You could say it is “the right thing to do,” which is said a lot – and although it is true, this explanation is not meaningful. I enjoy being courteous towards teammates and opponents alike because it spreads positivity even in the heat of competition.”

Brendan LeClaire, Dollar Bay
Playing third season of varsity basketball and played three of varsity football, and will run his fourth of track & field and play his third of varsity golf in the spring. Also ran varsity cross country as a freshman and sophomore. Earned all-league honors in football and all-state in cross country, and served as team captain in basketball, football and track. Owns four school track records and is team’s all-time leading point scorer; also holds school record in cross country and helped basketball team to Class D Semifinals in 2018. Serving fourth year as class president and on Student Leadership Committee, and participating in second year of National Honor Society, serving as president of SLC and NHS chapter as well. Earned first place in woodworking from Michigan Industrial Technology Education Society. Will attend Michigan Technological University and study engineering.

Essay Quote: “I attend a school in a small community in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. As a student athlete in this setting, sportsmanship plays an important role, not only on the court or field, but also in the community. Our community is so small, I have had to compete against friends and relatives, at times. Always focusing on being a good opponent has guaranteed those friendships and family ties remain strong. How I’ve had to interact with people on the court has taught me to be the best person I can be in my community.”

Ryan Yahner, McBain Northern Michigan Christian
Played four seasons of varsity soccer and will run his fourth of track & field this spring. Earned all-conference honors in both sports and served as captain of both teams; helped soccer team to District title this past fall. Participating in fourth years on student council and as part of school’s praise team, and second of National Honor Society – and serving as president of all three this school year. Also participating in fourth years of band/choir and high school musical, and earned a first-place regional finish in forensics as well as various pins for musical performances. Will attend Grand Valley State University to study general education, with the aspiration to then attend a seminary.

Essay Quote: “Now more than ever, young people need to hear that they are valuable and vital to their community, and educational athletics are a fantastic means to do so. Young people should be able to count on educational athletics to be a safe place; this is a huge part of sportsmanship. … Sportsmanship is important to educational athletics because it helps maintain a healthy and positive playing environment, and it creates a safe place for young athletes to grow and see their value through each other’s play.”

Other Class D girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Keagan Fischer, Bellaire; Lyndsi Wolfe, Fulton; Natalie Woodland, Lansing Christian; Scout Nelson, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart; Jessie Rieth, Three Oaks River Valley; and Julia Diskin, West Bloomfield Frankel Jewish Academy.

Other Class D boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Jake Lane, Climax-Scotts; William Newbold, Frankfort; John Slivka, Manistee Catholic Central; Noah Krepostman, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart; Brendan Zeien, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart; and Brandon Scheurer, Portland St. Patrick.

The Class B scholarship award recipients will be announced Feb. 12, and the Class A honorees will be announced Feb. 19.

Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan was founded in 1949 by Michigan farmers who wanted an insurance company that worked as hard as they did. Those values still guide the company today and are a big reason why it is known as Michigan’s Insurance Company, dedicated to protecting the farms, families, and businesses of this great state. Farm Bureau Insurance agents across Michigan provide a full range of insurance services—life, home, auto, farm, business, retirement, Lake Estate®, and more—protecting nearly 500,000 Michigan policyholders.

The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary membership by more than 1,500 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 more than 1.4 million spectators each year.

Scholars & Athletes 2020: Class A

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

February 17, 2020

The Michigan High School Athletic Association has selected 12 student-athletes from Class A member schools to receive scholarships through the MHSAA/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award program.

Farm Bureau Insurance, in its 31^st year of sponsoring the award, will give $1,000 college scholarships to 32 individuals who represent their member schools in at least one sport in which the Association sponsors a postseason tournament. The first 30 scholarships are awarded proportionately by school classification and the number of student-athletes involved in those classes; also, there are two at-large honorees who can come from any classification.

Each of the scholarship recipients will be honored at a halftime ceremony during the Division 3 Boys Basketball Final, March 28, at the Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing. Commemorative medallions will be given to the finalists in recognition of their accomplishments.

The Class A Scholar-Athlete Award honorees are: Ericka Asmus, Marquette; Lucy Borski, Holland West Ottawa; Morgan Cooper, Hartland; Kylie Ray, Pinckney; Elizabeth Saunders, Traverse City Central; Kayla Wolma, Hudsonville; Logan Canada, Fenton; DJ Dixon, Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice; Malcolm Gaynor, Portage Northern; Tej Kothari, Jenison; Brandon Liu, Northville; and Anish Middha, Midland Dow.

Ericka Asmus, Marquette
Ran four seasons of cross country and participated in track & field as a freshman. Finished runner-up at Upper Peninsula Division 1 Cross Country Final twice and as league champion in that sport three seasons. Also is a three-time participant in Nordic skiing Junior Nationals. Served as team captain in cross country and earned academic all-state three years. Participating in third year of National Honor Society and school’s environmental club, serving as co-president of the environmental club for the second year. Spoke on environmental issues at Lake Superior Youth Symposium and Northern Michigan University Climate Strike. Also participates in math club and volunteered two years on local farm. Finalizing her college plans but intends to study materials engineering.

Essay Quote: “Far too often, not just in sports but in life, I see people forgetting the things they have in common with their ‘enemy.’ I’ve heard coaches yell ‘The Marquette girl looks terrible; you can pass her,’ degrading me to lift their runners up. I have learned from my running coach that competing is only worth it when I see my opponents as fellow humans, rather than people to defeat.”

Lucy Borski, Holland West Ottawa
Playing third season of varsity basketball, played three of varsity golf and will play her fourth of varsity soccer this spring. Earned all-area honors in soccer and golf and was part of academic all-state team honors in all three sports. Captained both golf and basketball teams and serves as member of Student Athlete Leadership Council. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and fourth as part of school’s LINKS mentorship program. Participated three years in Young Life. Serving as coach for youth basketball and soccer and First Tee golf school chapter, and also officiates youth hoops and served two years as site supervisor for Holland Charter Township baseball park. Serving as fundraiser and co-host for school’s “Senior Survivor” program that raises money for students in need. Finalizing her college plans but intends to study biology.

Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship during games is important, but it is more important off the field or the court. … Sometimes while watching/playing sports the only thing that matters at that moment is whether you win or lose. However, it comes down to being just a game.”

Morgan Cooper, Hartland
Participating in fourth season of competitive cheer and also has participated in four of sideline cheer. Will play third season of varsity lacrosse this spring. Earned all-league and all-region honors in competitive cheer and served as captain of both cheer teams. Helped competitive cheer team to MHSAA Finals in 2019 and lacrosse team to three Regional championships including after joining varsity for postseason as freshman. Earned academic all-state recognition every year of high school and served as part of student leadership group and representative to Kensington Lakes Activities Association Leadership Summit. Participating in third year of National Honor Society and second of student council. Also participated on school Honor Guard for 2019 graduation ceremony and this school year and is part of promotion team for school’s Special Olympics Project Unified program. Previously participated in 4-H, earning awards in animal showmanship, writing and photography, and earned a Bronze Award in Girls Scouts. Will attend University of Michigan and study biochemistry in pursuit of a career in oncology.

Essay Quote: “The concepts of being a good sportsman apply on and off the field, during practices, and ultimately in everyday life. Whether you are the best on the field, or the most energetic on the bench, each person plays a critical role in team success.”

Kylie Ray, Pinckney
Played three seasons of varsity volleyball and will participate in fourth of track & field this spring. Earned all-region recognition in both sports and qualified for MHSAA Finals in track as a junior. Helped track team to league championship. Earned individual and was part of team academic all-state honors. Served as captain of both teams and selected to attend Southeastern Conference Leadership Conference. Competed at 2017 indoor national meet as part of distance medley relay. Participating in fourth year of class council and this year as treasurer. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and first as part of Link Crew that assists freshmen in transition to high school; previously served on school improvement team. Earned awards as part of duet and full orchestra at state solo and ensemble competitions. Teaching third year of religious education classes. Will attend University of Findlay and study physical therapy.

Essay Quote: “In any competition, there will be a winner and a loser, but the true value is that everyone (is) doing their best, learning through the process, and supporting each other. Regardless of the sport, good teammates are the ones who work hard to help others succeed. They help other athletes reach their goals while striving to reach their own goals.”

Elizabeth Saunders, Traverse City Central
Competing in fourth season of Alpine skiing and is a three-year varsity rower; also played freshman volleyball. Earned all-state in skiing and has helped team to three top-three MHSAA Finals finishes; also raced as part of winning Michigan team in Eastern Championship. Competed in rowing junior nationals and won USRowing National Regatta inclusive double championship with partner who is blind. Served as captain of rowing club and freshman volleyball team. Won national Congressional App Challenge and Northwestern Michigan Engineering Fair for development of CalcuSaver app, and created her own startup company for app development and tech repair. Founded and serves as president of TechGirls group that helps women and minorities pursue STEM education. Participating in second year with school’s Key Club and as president of school’s SciMaTech accelerated STEM program student council. Participating in fourth year of Model United Nations. Worked with local township and regional land conservancy to create monarch butterfly habitat. Will attend Stanford University and study computer science and business.

Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship reflects the fair(ness) and generosity among competitors in a sport. … Because of equal opportunity, students and athletes are able to pursue their interests and passions.”

Kayla Wolma, Hudsonville
Played varsity golf, subvarsity basketball and will play her fourth season of varsity tennis this spring. Earned all-league honors in tennis and played at MHSAA Finals as a junior. Will serve as tennis team captain this upcoming season. Participating in second year of National Honor Society, and selected and participated in three-week geology field study at various national parks as part of Summer Science Institute. Earned $5,000 UGive grand prize and helped raise more than $10,000 total for Wes Leonard Foundation for purchase of AEDs for schools. Participated in mission work in Flint and Detroit. Serves as Sunday School leader and volunteer youth tennis instructor. Will attend Hope College and study business with a minor in exercise science through Hope's professional tennis management program.

Essay Quote: “My goal is to be like Wes Leonard: I want to be that person who brings teams together, who is polite on the court, and is someone who doesn't cheat or thrive on shortcuts. To be a winner on the court is rewarding, but what truly defines a person is living a life full of integrity and selflessness.”

Logan Canada, Fenton
Ran three seasons of cross country and will participate in third season of track & field this spring. Ran at MHSAA Cross Country Finals and earned all-region and all-league honors; also earned academic all-state twice in that sport. Served two seasons as cross country captain and will serve second as track captain this upcoming season. Received AP Scholar with Distinction and took math classes at University of Michigan as part of non-degree dual enrollment. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and chaired chapter’s local Freedom Festival event. Earned championship in Flint Metro League math/science competition. Founded Fenton Conservative American Student Association and participated in state representative election campaign. Serving as CEO of student-directed clothing company. Serves as soccer official and has refereed Michigan State Cup and received invitations to officiate in Midwest Regional League and National Premier League. Finalizing college plans but intends to study biomedical or chemical engineering.

Essay Quote: “Life is one convoluted competition; hence, just like any competition, demonstrating sportsmanship makes it more fun, more learning-intensive, more malleable. Indisputably, sportsmanship is an essential characteristic that high school athletes learn, apply, and develop through high school athletics.”

DJ Dixon, Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice
Playing second season of varsity hockey and will play fourth of varsity lacrosse in the spring. Helped lacrosse team to two MHSAA Finals championships and hockey team to Semifinals appearance. Earned all-state in both sports and serving as hockey captain this winter. Serving as student body vice president and participating in second year of National Honor Society. Serving also as Brother Rice Band of Brothers captain and selected by faculty as student leader for Kairos student retreat program. Volunteering for fourth year with Southeast Oakland Shelter, recruiting other student volunteers and organizing athletic activities for homeless children, and Angel’s Place assisting residents with developmental disabilities. Finalizing what he will pursue academically, but will attend Wesleyan University in Connecticut.

Essay Quote: “That night, both teams displayed nothing but respect for each other. Despite our different backgrounds and levels of experience with sport, we were all just high school athletes that wanted to enjoy a meal together. Phone numbers were exchanged, pictures were shared, and a real sense of comradery was felt. I think that’s what sportsmanship is all about — bringing communities together.”

Malcolm Gaynor, Portage Northern
Played two seasons of varsity soccer, two seasons of subvarsity basketball and will play his third season of varsity baseball this spring. Earned all-state in baseball and helped team to last season’s Division 1 championship while also serving as a captain. Named National Merit Scholarship semifinalist and participating in second year of National Honor Society. Earned various honors for student journalism as part of his school student news website, including an all-state honorable mention for column writing, serving previously as sports editor and currently as editor-in-chief. Volunteering as youth baseball trainer and for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Previously volunteered as Link Crew and YWCA children’s mentor and for a U.S. Senate election campaign. Finalizing his course of study but will attend Kenyon College in Ohio.

Essay Quote: “I had always been a hard worker and an individually driven person, but I now know these traits aren't what set apart championship teams. Championship teams have a culture where good sportsmanship is expected. We don’t wallow in our mistakes. We support and encourage, elevating each other to bounce back and work even harder when faced with challenges.”

Tej Kothari, Jenison
Playing fourth season of varsity hockey and played two seasons of varsity tennis. Also played junior varsity soccer and golf. Served as tennis team captain this past fall. Earned AP Scholar designation and a Congressional Award Bronze Medal. Participating in third year of student council, and as vice president, and second year of National Honor Society and on his chapter’s executive board. Participating in third year of DECA and is a past state finalist. Serving fourth year as board member for Jenison Equity Task Force. Volunteering for West Michigan Special Hockey Association, Grand Rapids Junior Sled Wings, and founded and organized annual crayon drive for Women at Risk International. Will attend University of Michigan and major in pre-medical studies.

Essay Quote: “As a younger athlete, sports were all about winning and losing. I was always a good teammate, but I never thought about being a good opponent. It wasn’t until high school that I began to see through the wins and the losses to a bigger picture. … As I am wrapping up my high school athletic career, I now recognize that winning is not the ultimate goal. The ultimate goal is inclusivity, working toward a common goal while respecting the sport, your fellow athlete, and yourself.”

Brandon Liu, Northville
Competing in fourth season of wrestling, ran four of cross country and will participate in third varsity season of track & field this spring. Also participated in subvarsity soccer and is in third season of varsity rowing. Competed in MHSAA Finals in cross country and track and earned all-state in latter; also qualified for Regionals in wrestling and rowing state competition. Earned academic all-state in cross country and track. Serving second season as wrestling captain and previously served on school’s Mustang Leadership Council. Earned AP Scholar with Distinction award. Serving fourth year as historian of Wayne County Youth Council and participating in second year of National Honor Society. Qualified for state and national competitions as part of DECA and HOSA Future Health Professionals teams. Earned medals in international Wushu Chinese martial arts competitions and instructs locally. Playing third year as part of Michigan Philharmonics Youth Orchestra and is first chair for viola. Received multiple President’s Volunteer Service Awards and Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Award. Finalizing post-graduation plans but has received appointments to the U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy.

Essay Quote: “To me, sportsmanship is being respectful – no matter win or lose. I strive to exemplify proper sportsmanship despite the outcome. I try to always talk with my opponent about his season. Consequently, I have made friends from all types of teams.”

Anish Middha, Midland Dow
Played four seasons of varsity tennis, earning all-state all four seasons and helping team to MHSAA Finals championship as a freshman and runner-up finish as a sophomore. Served as team captain last two seasons. Earned AP Scholar with Distinction award and participating in second year of National Honor Society. Serving fourth year on Midland County Youth Action Council and as president, and has managed distribution of more than $100,000 in grants. Served as logistics chair for two years for Midland County Youth Leadership program. Participating in fourth year of DECA and served two years as club president; earned state championship in automotive services marketing and ranked among top 15 percent internationally. Earned Paderewski national gold medal for piano and is four-time state Student Achievement Testing competition semifinalist. Co-founded school safety initiative that integrates bulletproof panels with door-locking mechanisms. Will attend University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and study finance and economics.

Essay Quote: “Though initially difficult, I’ve developed a drastically different attitude towards athletics. In lieu of self-criticism during matches, I’ve exhibited fortitude and value of my competitors’ abilities. A simple “Nice shot!” can go a long way in a system that often glorifies wins over efforts.”

Other Class A girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Alexandra Montgomery, Ann Arbor Huron; Lydia Valtadoros, Ann Arbor Pioneer; Lara Janosz, Bloomfield Hills; Madelyn Crandell, Byron Center; Brenna Bailey, Haslett; Kaitlyn Stid, Holland; Mónica Ruiz, Holly; Eliza Alushi, Livonia Stevenson; Sasha Konovalenko, Midland Dow; Maddie Sermak, Okemos; Anusha Tekumulla, Port Huron Northern; Jayne Flynn, Richland Gull Lake; Grace Foster, Richland Gull Lake; Raegan McNamara, Rochester Hills Stoney Creek; Rachel Gamm, Rockford; Erin Middleton, St. Johns; Shaelie McClain, Troy Athens; and Lauren Tarnowsky, Waterford Mott.

Other Class A boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Vaughn Hajra, Ann Arbor Pioneer; Owen Rennich, Ann Arbor Pioneer; Skyler Sebring, Battle Creek Lakeview; Vikram Strander, Battle Creek Lakeview; Jack Spamer, Brighton; Nate Sesti, Clarkston; Caleb White, Detroit Catholic Central; Luke Sayler, Dexter; George Graham, Grosse Pointe North; Nathaniel Holcomb, Haslett; Jonah Gilmore, Holland; Shadrach Cunningham, Lansing Waverly; Sean Anderson, Midland Dow; Saketh Kamaraju, Midland Dow; Ben Boss, Saginaw Heritage; Peter Apostol, St. Johns; Davis DiGiovanni, Troy Athens; and Ethan Price, Warren Cousino.

The Class C and D scholarship award recipients were announced Feb. 4, and the Class B honorees were announced Feb. 11.

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