SAC Sound-off: What did you learn?

May 30, 2012

So why be part of the MHSAA Student Advisory Council? It looks great on a college application, and it's a lot of fun. But our members also picked up some important perspectives this school year.

It starts with sportsmanship

“Always promote sportsmanship. Sportsmanship doesn’t just apply to athletics. It applies to future careers and working with people in different cultures.” – Detroit Country Day senior Maria Buczkowski

“Being a good sport will take you far, and working as a team can take you even farther.” Portland St. Patrick junior Elle Lehman

“Keep my temper under control and always keep a positive attitude.” – Evan Lamb, Rogers City junior

Leadership doesn't stop at the door

“In order to be a leader on my teams, I need to be a leader all of the time – including at school, at practice and anywhere else I go. I’ve learned that no matter where I am, I represent my teams, school and the MHSAA.” – Carly Joseph, Pontiac Notre Dame prep junior

“Leadership isn’t just leading. It’s doing what’s right, even if it’s not the ‘cool’ thing to do.” – Vandercook Lake junior Thye Fischman

“Being on the SAC these past two years has really made me realize just how much of a role model a high school athlete is to a younger one. It’s pretty special to see the smiles on their faces if you just take five minutes to talk to them.” – Rudyard senior Tyler Wilson

We can learn from each other

“It helped me to branch out and become familiar with other schools that I have never even heard of before.” – Walled Lake Central junior Taylor Krumm

“I learned a lot about how other schools are run, and I made a lot of friends that I hope last for a long time. I also learned how important leadership is.” – Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Central junior Abby Radomsky

Together, we can do big things

“I now realize that being a member of the SAC has taught me that I am able to be a part of something bigger than myself. For example, the ‘Battle of the Fans’ was statewide. I know that with the right drive, organization and work ethic, projects like this are feasible.” – New Buffalo senior Lena Madison

There's a right way to cheer

“Student sections can be fun, loud and not get the other team down.” – Benzie Central senior Travis Clous

“The camaraderie and friendships I made when visiting Rockford for our ‘Battle of the Fans’ competition taught me what student cheering sections are truly about.” – Bailey Truesdell, Grand Blanc senior

“The way the student section acts at games is a reflection on the character and the values that the school has.” Muskegon Catholic Central senior Alissa Jones

Performance of the Week: Grand Rapids West Catholic's Oliver Caldwell

November 1, 2024

Oliver Caldwell headshotOliver Caldwell ♦ Grand Rapids West Catholic
Freshman ♦ Tennis

Caldwell became the fourth Grand Rapids West Catholic tennis standout and second from his family in three seasons – to win a Finals championship at No. 1 singles when he claimed the Lower Peninsula Division 4 top-flight title at Midland Tennis Center with a 6-2, 6-3, victory over Traverse City St. Francis' Owen Jackson. Caldwell followed his older brother Simon, who won No. 1 singles in LPD4 in 2022. 

After entering the Finals as the top seed at No. 1 singles, Oliver Caldwell won all four of his matches in straight sets, including over fifth-seeded Luke Zhang of Plymouth Christian Academy and the second-seeded Jackson. West Catholic placed sixth as a team at the Final. Caldwell finished this fall 33-1, his only loss to Jackson on Aug. 22 and all 33 wins coming in straight sets.

@mhsaasports 🎾POW: Oliver Caldwell #tennis #GRWestCatholic #final #champion #part1 #highschoolsports #tiktalk #interview #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA

@mhsaasports 🎾POW: Oliver Caldwell #tiktalk #questiontime #strangerthings #emoji #superspeed #xbox #happygilmore #bestfriend #part2 #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys - Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey

Follow the MHSAA on TikTok.

MHSAA.com's "Performance of the Week" features are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

Previous 2024-25 honorees

Oct. 18: Alex Graham, Detroit Cass Tech football - Report
Oct. 11:
Victoria Garces, Midland Dow cross country - Report
Oct. 4:
Asher Clark, Bay City John Glenn soccer - Report
Sept. 26:
Campbell Flynn, Farmington Hills Mercy volleyball - Report
Sept. 19:
TJ Hansen, Freeland cross country - Report
Sept. 12:
Jordan Peters, Grayling soccer - Report
Sept. 6:
Gabe Litzner, Sault Ste. Marie cross country - Report
Aug. 30:
Grace Slocum, Traverse City St. Francis golf - Report

(Top photo by High School Sports Scene; headshot courtesy of the Caldwell family.)