Rep Council Adjusts, Expands Out-of-State Competition Opportunities at Spring Meeting
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
May 12, 2023
Substantial changes to the rules governing out-of-state competition by Michigan High School Athletic Association member schools were among the most notable actions taken by the MHSAA’s Representative Council during its annual Spring Meeting, May 6-7 in Gaylord.
The Spring Meeting of the 19-member legislative body of the Association’s more than 1,500 member schools is generally the busiest of its sessions each year. The Council considered 31 committee proposals and dealt with a variety of eligibility rule, postseason tournament and operational issues.
The most far-reaching changes approved by the Council shifts the MHSAA rules regarding competitions against out-of-state opponents. Moving forward, MHSAA member schools may continue to compete against teams from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ontario – but also may compete against teams from elsewhere in the United States as long as those competitions take place in Michigan, one of those five contiguous states or Ontario. The Council voted to remove the allowance for MHSAA member schools to travel up to 300 miles to play an out-of-state opponent; MHSAA member schools still can compete against those opponents, but competition must take place in Michigan or one of the states/province listed above. Any event including schools from outside of Michigan or those contiguous states/province must receive approval by the MHSAA and each state high school association with a team involved in order for MHSAA member schools to be allowed to participate.
In an effort to strengthen the undue influence regulation, the Council approved a change making it a violation for coaches or their representatives to connect via social media with students from another high school or with a student prior to ninth grade who has not yet enrolled in a high school or participated in an athletic practice or competition as a high school student. Violations of this rule include connecting via social media with a “follow,” “friend request” or “direct message” to a student. The Council also expanded the portion of the undue influence regulation that doesn’t allow coaches and representatives to visit prospective athletes and their families at the families’ homes to not allow them to visit athletes and families at “other locations” as well.
The Council approved an expansion in the use of video to determine penalties when there is a bench-clearing situation or other incident where team members enter the area of competition during an altercation. MHSAA staff, based on video evidence, will be allowed to assess additional penalties including ejections and suspensions to team members, coaches and other staff who enter those areas to participate or engage in such an altercation.
Concerning specific sports, changes to three stand out from several adopted by the Council.
The Council approved three Bowling Committee recommendations affecting postseason competition in that sport. The first reorganizes Regional competition to eight sites, with each qualifying the top two teams and top seven singles for both girls and boys competitions to the Finals (instead of the previous six sites qualifying three teams and 10 singles for both girls and boys). The Council also approved a proposal to change the Team Finals match play to a head-to-head, best-of-five Baker game format. Finally, the Council approved a proposal to adopt the Phantom II oil pattern for all MHSAA Tournament competitions.
In girls volleyball, the Council approved a Volleyball Committee recommendation to begin seeding the top two teams in each District beginning with the 2024-25 school year. As is done currently with girls and boys basketball and girls and boys soccer, the top-two seeded teams in each District will be placed on opposite sides of the bracket, guaranteeing they will not play each other before the District Final. Seeding will be determined using the Michigan Power Rating (MPR) formula which takes into account regular-season success and strength of schedule. MPR is used to seed Districts in the same way in basketball and soccer.
In wrestling, the Council approved a Wrestling Committee recommendation adding two regular-season dual meets to the allowed number of wrestling contest dates. These must be dual meets and may not be converted into three-team (tri) or four-team (quad) meets. Teams and individuals now will be allowed 16 days of competition with no more than eight of those days allowed for tournament-type events where a wrestler competes more than twice.
Here is a summary of other notable actions taken by the Representative Council at the Spring Meeting, which will take effect during the 2023-24 school year unless noted:
Regulations
• The Council approved a classification-related change for the MHSAA’s smallest member schools, allowing them to request participation of eighth and seventh-grade students, based on the high school’s enrollment. Schools with fewer than 125 students (instead of the previous 100) may request an MHSAA Executive Committee waiver to use eighth-grade students in all sports except football, ice hockey and wrestling. Schools with fewer than 75 students (instead of the previous 50) may make the same request to use seventh and eighth-grade students in all sports except those three. Schools requesting a waiver must show cause and rationale for those students’ participation.
Sports Medicine
• The Council approved a Sports Medicine Advisory Committee proposal requiring middle school head coaches to have valid, current CPR certification. Similar to the high school requirements for head coaches at all levels, this addition at the middle school level will ensure each team has at least one coach at each level present who is CPR-certified. This requirement will take effect with the 2024-25 school year, and schools will attest to its completion by the established deadline for each season.
Officials
• The Council approved an Officials Review Committee recommendation adjusting the minimum requirements for postseason consideration in wrestling, competitive cheer and soccer. In wrestling, officials must receive 75 coaches ratings (instead of the previous 100) to be considered for working a postseason meet. In girls competitive cheer, judges must be members in good standing of a Local Approved Association. In soccer, officials must work a minimum of five regular-season games (down from the previous 10) to be considered for the postseason.
• The Council also approved a Committee recommendation increasing the amount paid when an official arrives on site prior to a competition before receiving notice that competition has been canceled due to an “act of God” including weather that results in unplayable conditions. In these situations, officials will receive one-half of the contract fee (instead of the previous one-third).
Sport Matters
• For baseball, the Council approved a change to when trophies will be awarded to Regional champions. Those trophies will be presented to both Regional champions after the Quarterfinal is concluded, as Regional Finals and the ensuing Quarterfinal are played at the same site on the same day and both Quarterfinal participants will have earned a Regional championship earlier that day.
• In addition to the Regional and Finals changes for bowling explained above, the Council also approved a Bowling Committee proposal seeking common start dates for practice and competition for Lower and Upper Peninsula teams. For the 2023-24 season, bowling teams in both peninsulas will begin practice Nov. 9 and competition Nov. 25. Previously, Upper Peninsula teams were allowed to begin their seasons slightly earlier – this past season four days sooner for practice and a week earlier for competition than their Lower Peninsula counterparts.
• The Council also approved a start date change in girls competitive cheer, proposed by the Competitive Cheer Committee, moving the practice start date to the second Monday before Thanksgiving. This shortens the season by one week, but also allows a more comfortable gap between the fall sideline cheer and winter competitive cheer seasons. This change will take effect with the 2024-25 school year.
• Also in cheer, the Council approved a Committee recommendation that adjusts the restricted period at the end of competitive cheer season to the Monday following Memorial Day, which will allow athletes to try out for sideline cheerleading for the upcoming season after the completion of the majority of spring-sport competitions.
• Additionally, the Council approved an exception to the MHSAA’s all-star regulation that will allow for individual competitive cheer and sideline cheer athletes to participate in an event that is “all-star” in name only as long as the selection components of the event comply with MHSAA regulations.
• In cross country and track & field, the Council approved Cross Country/Track & Field Committee recommendations to eliminate a pair of uniform-related rules adaptations designating the types of head attire that previously could be worn during cross country races and body adornments that previously were allowed to be worn during competitions in both sports.
• In golf, the Council approved a Golf Committee recommendation to require athletes to participate in at least four competitions for the high school team prior to representing that athlete’s school team in an MHSAA postseason golf competition. Those four regular-season competitions may be 9 or 18-hold events.
• A Council action in gymnastics will better define how athletes are assigned a division for the individual portion of the MHSAA Finals. Athletes are assigned either Division 1 or Division 2 based on past experience and skill level – Division 1 for those with the most – and the Council approved the allowance of the Xcel levels of Sapphire and Diamond to be part of the determining criteria. Athletes who have previously competed in a non-school event at either of these levels would be required to compete in the Division 1 level for MHSAA postseason competition.
• In tennis, the Council approved a Tennis Committee recommendation allowing in the Lower Peninsula for a No. 1 doubles pair from a non-qualifying team to advance from Regional to Finals competition if that pair finishes first or second at the Regional and the No. 1 singles player from that team also has qualified for the Finals individually by finishing first or second in Regional play. (Upper Peninsula tennis does not play a Regional.)
• The Council approved a Swimming & Diving Committee recommendation restructuring how qualifying times for Finals are determined in an effort to provide more entries in swimming events at the championship level. Moving forward, qualifying times will be determined based on the past five years of MHSAA race data, but also will account for past numbers of qualifiers in each swim race; qualifying times will be shifted to allow for more athletes to advance to the Finals in events where fields have not been full over the previous five seasons.
• The second swimming & diving recommendation approved by the Council assigned specific breaks during Finals competitions. During Friday preliminaries (swam in the Lower Peninsula only), 10-minute breaks will be placed between the 200-yard medley relay and 200 freestyle races, and between the 200 freestyle relay and 100 backstroke, with a 15-minute break between the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly. The same 10-minute breaks will be mandated for Saturday Finals competitions, with a 15-minute break during Finals coming between the conclusion of diving and 100 butterfly races.
• For girls volleyball, the Council also approved a Volleyball Committee recommendation to permit the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association (MIVCA) a 3-minute on-court presentation during the MHSAA Finals to recognize that season’s Miss Volleyball Award winner. The presentation will take place between the second and third sets of the Division 1 championship match.
Junior High/Middle School
• The Council voted to make permanent cross country and track & field competitions that have been conducted at a Regional level as part of a pilot program during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years. The Council also voted to expand the number of sites per Junior High/Middle School Regional to allow for large-school (Divisions 1 and 2) and small-school (Divisions 3 and 4) meets for each of the eight Zones. Each participating junior high and middle school will be classified for its Regional meet based on the enrollment of the high school with which the junior high/middle school is connected.
The Council also reviewed reports on membership, with 750 senior high schools and 767 junior high/middle schools in 2022-22 plus 63 elementary schools with 6th-grader participation; cooperative programs, with 376 high school programs for 692 teams during 2023-23; eligibility advancement applications, which totaled three; the use of Educational Transfer Forms, of which there were 127; school violations, attendance at athletic director in-service workshops and Coaches Advancement Program sessions; officials’ registrations, rules meetings attendance and officials reports submitted for the past three sports seasons. The Association’s $13.3 million budget for the 2023-24 school year also was approved.
The Representative Council is the 19-member legislative body of the MHSAA. All but five are elected by member schools. Four members are appointed by the Council to facilitate representation of females and minorities, and the 19th position is occupied by the Superintendent of Public Instruction or designee.
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 1.3 million spectators each year.
2025 Scholar-Athlete Award Recipients Announced in Class A
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 18, 2025
The Michigan High School Athletic Association has selected 13 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 36th year of sponsoring the award, will give $2,000 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.
The 32 scholarship recipients will be recognized March 15 during the MHSAA Boys Basketball Finals at the Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing.
The Class A Scholar-Athlete Award honorees are Madeline Day, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood; Nadine Fayad, Dearborn; Ella Gifford, Birmingham Seaholm; Grace Johnson-Sears, Birmingham Seaholm; Chikanma Okoisor, Midland Dow; Sophia Tang, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood; Noah Kaplan, Bloomfield Hills; Asher Langwell, Bloomfield Hills; Nick Leiter, Detroit Catholic Central; Nimai Patel, Midland Dow; Brady Scheidt, West Bloomfield; Sean Wesolek, Bay City John Glenn; and Gruhith Yerramalli, Grosse Pointe North.
Overviews of the scholarship recipients of the Class A Scholar-Athlete Award follow. A quote from each recipient's essay also is included:
Madeline Day, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood
Played two seasons of varsity volleyball, playing fourth of varsity basketball and will play third of varsity tennis this spring. Earned all-region in volleyball and all-league in basketball, and was part of Tennis Finals doubles flight champion as junior and team champion as sophomore. Served or will serve as captain of all three teams. Named National Merit Scholarship semifinalist and AP Scholar with Distinction. Serving as veteran leader of school’s Athletic Leadership Academy and second years as president of school’s Business and Gold Key clubs. Co-founded and serves as president of school’s Global Outreach Club and serving on senior advisory board in second year participating in Generation of Promise social justice youth program. Participated in service efforts locally and in Thailand. Will attend Harvard College and study computer science and sociology.
Essay Quote: “For me, basketball has become a reflection of life’s complexities. Success on the court does not always mean scoring the most points; it’s about adapting to challenges, communicating effectively, and responding to unfolding situations with resilience. … Good sportsmanship, rooted in respect, empathy, and compassion, has become a guiding principle for me – offering a model for navigating both the court and the world beyond.”
Nadine Fayad, Dearborn
Played four seasons of varsity golf and will play her third of varsity soccer this spring, and also played junior varsity basketball as a freshman. Earned all-academic recognition in soccer and helped team to District championship. Served as golf team captain the last two seasons. Serving fourth year in student government and second year on principal’s student advisory council, and participating in second year of National Honors Society. Raised funds as part of student government, Amity Foundation and UNICEF efforts and founded and served as president of school’s UNICEF club. Also serving second year as president of school’s social justice club and secretary for Lebanese Student Association. Participating in second year of Business Professionals of America and as treasurer. Will attend University of Michigan and study business administration and international studies.
Essay Quote: “Soccer has taught me countless lessons, but the one that resonates most is the importance of respect — for teammates, opponents, and the game itself. Respect ensures that the competitive environment remains positive, fostering growth rather than hostility. Whether it's helping an opponent up after a fall or applauding their skill during a tough match, small acts of sportsmanship highlight the values of humility and empathy, both on and off the field.”
Ella Gifford, Birmingham Seaholm
Competed four seasons on varsity swimming & diving team and playing her second season of varsity basketball. Also will play fourth season of water polo in the spring. Advanced to MHSAA Finals scoring heats in swimming her final two seasons and helped team to Lower Peninsula Division 2 championship as freshman. Helped basketball team to league title and earned all-state honorable mention last year in water polo. Earned academic all-state in water polo and served as captain of water polo and swim teams and junior varsity basketball team. Earned AP Scholar recognition and is participating in second year of National Honor Society and third year of Spanish Honor Society. Participating in second year of triathlon club and has served as president, and participating in second year of school’s Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Taught swim lessons throughout high school and served as assistant coach for junior high swim team three years. Participating as Wyld Life Youth Group leader as a senior. Will attend University of Michigan and study business administration.
Essay Quote: “Great teams prioritize collective goals over individual achievements. I’ve been fortunate to be on several championship-level teams, and I’ve seen first-hand how sportsmanship can shift the culture of a team, making the team simultaneously more successful and more enjoyable.”
Grace Johnson-Sears, Birmingham Seaholm
Ran three seasons of varsity cross country and will compete in fourth of track & field this spring. Earned league scholar-athlete awards three years for both sports and served as captain of both teams. Named AP Scholar with Honor. Participating in second years of National Honor Society and National Science Honor Society and as executive board member of latter, and also serving as president in third year in chemistry club. Participating in fourth years in Seaholm’s jazz, marching and pep bands and played three years in school symphony and four years as part of Detroit Metropolitan Youth Symphony. Serving as vice president of band council and founded and directed school flute choir. Earned district and state level superior ratings for solo and ensemble from Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association. Has not decided where she will attend college but intends to study chemistry or chemical engineering.
Essay Quote: “As soon as you leave practice and enter a race, cross country changes from physical to mental. Without constantly being pushed to my limits by those around me, I would have never found what I was capable of. I make it my priority to do the same for others in all aspects of my life, giving my all, not out of combativeness, but respect.”
Chikanma Okoisor, Midland Dow
Will compete in her third season of track & field this spring and competed two seasons on swimming & diving team. Earned league all-academic recognition multiple seasons. Founded and serving as executive director of Aspire United Education that has impacted children with mentorship and donations across four continents. Participating in third year of Key Club International and as trustee, and previously served as district lieutenant governor. Participating in third year as coach intern with Coderina Edtech Foundation and served as FIRST Robotics Challenge electrical subteam lead. Serving third year on Midland Area Youth Action Council, this year as vice president. Served as Black Student Alliance president and co-chairperson of Black Youth of Midland. Named AP Scholar, participating in second year of National Honor Society and received national award from National Center for Women in Information Technology (NCWIT). Will attend Rice University in Texas and study electrical and computer engineering.
Essay Quote: “As the dust settles on the track, I realize that sportsmanship is more than just fair play — it's the heartbeat of our shared human experience. In every stride, every cheer, and every outstretched hand, we write a story of unity that transcends the finish line. This spirit, born on the track, now races through every aspect of my life, propelling me forward with the knowledge that true victory lies not in gold medals but in lifting others as we run together.”
Sophia Tang, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood
Played four seasons of varsity volleyball, is playing her third of varsity basketball and also played junior varsity soccer as a freshman. Earned all-region and all-league in volleyball and served as captain of volleyball varsity and junior varsity basketball teams. Competing third year on robotics team and reached world championship division quarterfinals and state semifinals in 2024. Founded and serves as president of U2H medical supply shipping nonprofit. Served on school newspaper staff throughout high school and earned sports journalism award. Participated in Global Outreach Club throughout high school and served as president and volunteer coordinator. Developed physical therapy app as part of General Motors Safety Department internship. Is undecided where she will attend college but intends to study molecular biology and biomedical engineering.
Essay Quote: “For me, sportsmanship is clapping after a girl gets up from the floor following a hard fall because that injury just ended her season. Sportsmanship is crying tears of joy when your injured teammate gets 50 cycles on the exercise bike because you know how much every little milestone means. Sportsmanship is driving a teammate to her first therapy session because her knee injury has become the hardest opponent she’s ever been up against, and because you were her two years ago.”
Noah Kaplan, Bloomfield Hills
Played four seasons of varsity tennis and will play third of varsity lacrosse this spring. Advanced to MHSAA Tennis Finals flight semifinals and earned all-state recognition in doubles, and helped team to three straight Finals team titles. Earned league scholar-athlete awards multiple seasons in both sports. Served as tennis team captain. Participating in fourth year of DECA, earned state championship, and served as president of career development. Participating in National Honor Society and third year in community service club. Serving second year on school’s athletics booster student board and as events and fundraising chairperson, and serving as ClubLink communications director. Served as youth basketball coach throughout high school and also as football referee and tennis and lacrosse instructor. Is undecided where he will attend college but intends to study business with a focus on real estate.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship isn’t about rules or rankings; it’s about humanity. It’s recognizing that the person across the net is more than just an opponent — they’re human beings with struggles and emotions. It’s about standing up for what’s right, even when it costs you personally. … (E)ducational athletics isn’t just about competing; it’s about building character.”
Asher Langwell, Bloomfield Hills
Played four seasons of varsity tennis and will play third of varsity golf this spring. Earned all-state at No. 1 doubles this past fall after winning Finals flight championship, and also was part of No. 4 doubles flight winner as junior. Helped tennis team to three straight Finals team titles. Earned all-state honorable mention last spring after reaching MHSAA Golf Finals for second time and tying for 13th in Lower Peninsula Division 1. Served or will serve as captain of both teams. Participating in fourth year of DECA, won state championship and served as vice president of marketing. Serving third year on student booster board as athletes in action/community service chairperson, and participating in third year of National Honor Society. Also participating in third year of community service club and has volunteered with Friendship Circle throughout high school. Will attend University of Michigan but has not decided what he will study.
Essay Quote: “Your actions on the (golf) course reflect not just your own character but also the school you represent. Sportsmanship isn’t just about being a good sport, it’s about doing the right thing, even when no one else is watching. It’s about honesty, integrity and respect, which are all values I will take with me once I leave high school.”
Nick Leiter, Detroit Catholic Central
Playing third season of varsity ice hockey and has helped team to two straight Division 1 championships. Serving as captain this season. Named National Merit Scholarship Commended Student and participating in National Honor Society for second year and was chosen to speak during his chapter’s 2024 NHS induction ceremony. Participated in DECA throughout high school, earning state and national championships and serving on chapter’s board. Serving third year on student government and has participated with various community service organizations throughout high school, including this year the Oakland County Foster Closet clothing drive – leading as a project manager. Served as a tutor throughout high school. Will attend University of Michigan and study business and accounting.
Essay Quote: “Contrary to its name, sportsmanship isn’t confined to sports – it extends to every competitive aspect of life. It’s easy to think of sportsmanship as just a handshake after a game, but I believe it’s much more. Sportsmanship is a conscious, empathetic response to situations where people stand to gain or lose something. It’s not just about the winners or losers; it’s about how everyone involved conducts themselves.”
Nimai Patel, Midland Dow
Played four seasons of varsity tennis, helped team to two Lower Peninsula Division 2 Finals championships and won No. 4 singles flight titles as sophomore and junior. Earned all-state as a junior and honorable mention as a sophomore, and served as team co-captain as a senior. Named AP Scholar with Distinction and participating in second year of National Honor Society. Served on Midland Area Youth Action Council throughout high school and as senior serving as school district’s Engineering Board student representative. Serving as robotics team director in fourth year of competition. Also has participated in school’s Space Farmers program throughout high school, earning first place at NASA & Growing Beyond Earth student research symposium. Finished among 32 finalists for Buildspace Competition. Is undecided where he will attend college, but intends to study industrial engineering.
Essay Quote: “As I progressed through high school tennis, I began to adopt practices from my coaches, people who I truly look up to as role models. I saw every practice, match and interaction as a chance to foster new connections with other teams. … My perspective shifted – I no longer viewed my opponent as a rival, but as someone who shared the same love for the game, made the same sacrifices and had the same dreams.”
Brady Scheidt, West Bloomfield
Playing third season of varsity hockey, will play third season of varsity baseball this spring and also played junior varsity soccer as a freshman. Earned all-league recognition in hockey and baseball and serving second season as hockey team captain. Participated in DECA throughout high school and serving this year as chapter vice president. Earned DECA state championship and top-30 world recognition. Sang in choir throughout high school, contributing to Michigan School Vocal Music Association conference qualifier, and served as Voice Day committee chairperson as a junior. Participated in theater/drama three years and served as drama director for Vacation Bible School camp. Volunteered for service projects serving homeless and needy families throughout high school. Will attend New York University and study business economics.
Essay Quote: “High school sports are full of challenges, but it’s been the opportunity to face those challenges that has been the most valuable to me. If I hadn’t struggled with controlling my anger, I wouldn’t have had the same opportunities to learn how to respect the people around me and use my passion for something positive. To me, the value of sportsmanship in high school sports is learning the skills necessary to succeed in life.”
Sean Wesolek, Bay City John Glenn
Playing fourth season of varsity basketball and played varsity football as a freshman and sophomore. Earned all-state and academic all-state in basketball. Serving third year as basketball team captain and has coached and refereed for youth programs in that sport. Participating in third year of National Honor Society and dually-enrolled at Delta College. Earned region’s Dr. Martin Luther King Scholarship Award. Graduated from Youth Leadership Bay County program and served two years on school’s student senate. Volunteered in various service efforts throughout high school including through United Way, Boys & Girls Clubs of Bay County and local rescue mission, soup kitchen and hospice house. Will attend Hope College and study pre-health sciences.
Essay Quote: “True sportsmanship is about understanding that my rival is also a member of my community. That he is also a high school kid who is trying his best on a given night. That both teams will fight as hard as we can on the 94 feet of the basketball court, but when the final buzzer sounds we congratulate the winner and take away what went well and what can we do better next time.”
Gruhith Yerramalli, Grosse Pointe North
Played four seasons of varsity tennis, earning all-state recognition the last two and qualifying for MHSAA Finals three times. Served as team captain and earned scholar-athlete award. Also played club soccer throughout high school, helping team qualify for State Cup all four seasons. Named AP Scholar with Distinction and National Merit Scholarship Commended Student, and participating in second year of National Honor Society and as chapter president. Serving second year as part of Grosse Pointe North Student Association and as senator. Participating in third year of DECA and is a two-time state finalist, and has competed in FIRST robotics throughout high school and won Newton Division world final. Founded and owns Gru4Good tutoring service and also is serving as lead tutor in third year with 4TeenFinance. Is undecided where he will attend college, but will study aerospace engineering.
Essay Quote: “In sports, outcomes are unpredictable, and moments of success are often accompanied by setbacks. Good sportsmanship teaches athletes how to deal with wins and losses with grace and dignity. … By exhibiting good sportsmanship, athletes can cope with tough defeats and can choose a positive mindset, thinking about what they can learn from the experience rather than putting themselves down because of what they didn’t do.”
Other Class A girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were Clara Freeth, Ann Arbor Huron; Katherine Ma, Ann Arbor Huron; Avery Allen, Birmingham Seaholm; Selina Lin, Birmingham Seaholm; Sydney Law, Byron Center; Alaa Selman, Dearborn Heights Crestwood; Eleni Michos, Dexter; Grace Tykocki, Grand Blanc; Kylie Pung, Howell; Bomin Koo, Jenison; Kortney Osborn, Mason; Ayesha Middha, Midland Dow; Tara Creekmore, Plymouth; Katherine McLaughlin, Portage Central; Grace Roth, Saline; Madeline Bildeaux, Traverse City West; Carly Lyons, West Bloomfield; and Natalie Weissman, West Bloomfield.
Other Class A boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were Milan Patel, Birmingham Seaholm; Carson J. Wright, Birmingham Seaholm; Calvin J.C. Meeker, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood; Peter Sanin, Detroit Catholic Central; Lucas Groulx, Flint Kearsley; Elijah Lipke, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central; Jack Lupo, Grosse Pointe South; James Michelotti, Grosse Pointe South; Joseph Spada, Kalamazoo Central; Andrew Creedon, Livonia Churchill; Cameron McVittie, Northville; Nathan Beemer, Okemos; Drew Cady, Oxford; Hunter Easton, Saline; Auben Wesley, South Lyon; Owen Przybylski, Temperance Bedford; and Asher Paul, Traverse City Central.
The Class C and D scholarship award recipients were announced Feb. 4, and the Class B honorees were announced Feb. 11.
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.