Alpena students text2win $50,000
January 25, 2012
Alpena High School -- and more specifically its Kids and Parents United Together (KAPUT) program -- recently received a $50,000 prize from Verizon after the school received 450,000 text votes as part of the company's TXT2WIN contest.
KAPUT provides safe events and activities for teens. Although this prize isn't specifically designated for athletics, Alpena previously has been recognized for promoting school sports. The community's CHAMPS program – Community Helping Athletes Maintain Positive Sportsmanship -- received the MHSAA's SCOPE award in 2007.
Alpena, a Class A school with roughly 1,300 students, competed against schools from 15 states.
To read more, click on this link to The Alpena News.
What's My Why: Official Clint Abbott
May 18, 2026
Clint Abbott, Newaygo
Abbott is completing his 43rd year as an MHSAA registered official and this school year officiated basketball and volleyball. He's also been registered in baseball, soccer, softball and track & field for a season or more since beginning with the MHSAA in 1975-76.
I really enjoy it. What I love about it is just getting out, working with the crew, teamwork, giving back to the game.
I really enjoy the student-athletes today. It’s a little different world than when I first started out, but I still enjoy it, still enjoy giving back to them. Love to watch them compete and participate, and then just love to see new officials come in – and we hope we can have more that we can train and we can mentor.
So, absolutely love this game. I hope we can keep going for many years.
“What’s My Why” is a weekly feature telling the stories of MHSAA-registered officials in their own words. If you’re an MHSAA official and would like to share your reason why, please submit a 15 to 45-second video, taken horizontally, to director of officials Sam Davis at [email protected].
Don't miss Officiate Michigan Day 2026, July 25 in Grand Rapids! Check out MHSAA.com/OMD to register and learn more.