2026 Scholar-Athlete Award Recipients Announced in Class B
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 10, 2026
The Michigan High School Athletic Association has selected nine student-athletes from Class B member schools to receive scholarships through the MHSAA/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award program.
Farm Bureau Insurance, in its 37th 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 14 during the MHSAA Boys Basketball Finals at the Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing.
The Class B Scholar-Athlete Award honorees are Madison Dennis, Durand; Phoebe Elder, Haslett; Natalie Foltz, Frankenmuth; Julia Noureddine, Grosse Ile; Brayley West, Lake Fenton; Miles Dell, Chelsea; Cole Haist, Big Rapids; Logan Johnson, Flint Powers Catholic; and Micah Zacks, Detroit Country Day.
Overviews of the scholarship recipients of the Class B Scholar-Athlete Award follow. A quote from each recipient's essay also is included:
Madison Dennis, Durand
Played three seasons of varsity volleyball, completing fourth varsity bowling season and will compete in second seasons of varsity track & field and tennis after missing last spring with a knee injury. Coached eighth grade team as a junior while healing from her injury. Earned all-league in bowling and serving as team captain, earned academic all-state in volleyball and helped team to academic all-state award, and helped tennis team to league title. Officiated volleyball as part of MHSAA Legacy Program. Named National Merit Scholarship Commended Student and received College Board Rural and Small Town and Scholar awards. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and has served as secretary. Serving third year as city youth ambassador, fourth year as student government class president and has served one year as executive board vice president. Leading yearbook staff as editor-in-chief. Will attend University of Michigan and study neuroscience on a pre-medicine track.
Essay Quote: “When matches are stressful or games are looking rough, I remind myself to stay positive and support my teammates. Treating others with kindness and integrity allows my teammates to feel welcome, and in turn, I help create an environment where everyone can perform their best and enjoy the sport.”
Phoebe Elder, Haslett
Competed three seasons in swimming & diving and is competing in her fourth of gymnastics. Earned all-state and named league Gymnast of the Year as a junior and holds multiple program records. Also earned academic all-state and helped team to multiple league titles. Qualified for MHSAA Finals for swimming in multiple events and is part of a school record-holding relay. Served as captain of both teams. Named Commended Student by National Merit Scholarship program. Participating in third year of National Honor Society, fourth of school sustainability club, fourth of Future Doctors of America club, and fourth of Haslett Women in STEM club. Served as club/chapter president or vice president of all four and also on student council throughout high school. Will attend Northwestern University and study biology on a pre-medicine track.
Essay Quote: “The positive atmosphere in high school sports has made me a better athlete, inspiring me to attempt new skills in gymnastics and push through the final painful yards of a swim race. I think it has also made me a better person. It’s important to empathize with someone after a difficult performance, celebrate someone else’s success, and recognize that competing with people matters far more than competing against them.”
Natalie Foltz, Frankenmuth
Ran four seasons of cross country and will compete in her fourth of track & field this spring. Earned all-state three times and academic all-state all four seasons of cross country, and was league and Regional champion in that sport. Qualified for MHSAA Finals in multiple events all of her first three seasons of track, earning all-state and academic all-state all of her first three seasons. Served as team captain of both. Participated in DECA throughout high school, qualifying for state competition and serving as vice president of community involvement. Served as quiz bowl captain and helped team to league championship as a senior. Served as treasurer and vice president of Be the Change club and three years as part of local library teen advisory board. Volunteered as Vacation Bible School group leader. Will attend Grand Valley State University and study exercise science.
Essay Quote: “Cross country and track introduce a complex twist into high-school sports: you’re competing against people from your own team, even your closest friends. This could cause friendships to be cracked and broken. … This season has taught me what true sportsmanship is: putting the focus on the success of others above my downfalls, no matter how difficult it may seem.”
Julia Noureddine, Grosse Ile
Playing second season of varsity basketball, will compete in second season of track & field this spring and played two seasons of junior varsity volleyball. Earned all-region and all-area honors in track, and academic all-conference in track and basketball. Serving as basketball team captain and second year as youth game official. Earned multiple AP Scholar awards. Participating in third year of National Honor Society. Serving fourth year on student council and as executive board president, and organized sports equipment drive to support under-resourced youth. Participating in third year of Girl Up club , serving as vice president, and was regional placer and state qualifier in public speaking as part of Health Occupations Students of America. Started school sports and senior photography business, producing content for school athletic programs. Is undecided where she will attend college but intends to study a major on a pre-medicine track.
Essay Quote: “(Sportsmanship) isn’t measured by a handshake at the finish line. It’s measured by whether you choose to see people when it would be easier to walk past. Whether you give someone space to breathe in a world obsessed with winning. Whether you remind an opponent, a teammate, or someone you barely know that their worth is not determined by a stopwatch.”
Brayley West, Lake Fenton
Played two seasons of varsity football, will compete in her fourth of track & field this spring and also played junior varsity basketball as a freshman. Also competed on powerlifting team throughout high school. Served as track & field throwers and powerlifting captain. Earned multiple AP Scholar awards and College Board recognition. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and as chapter president. Played four years in marching, symphonic, jazz and pep bands, and served as section leader. Serving fourth years on principal and superintendent advisory boards, and served two years on student council as vice president. Participating in second year of Key Club and earned volunteering achievement medallion for serving more than 100 hours as a junior. Will attend Central Michigan University and study social work with minors in American Sign Language and music.
Essay Quote: “As students, we are still learning who we are and who we want to become. Athletics accelerate that process. They place us in situations where emotions run high and winning feels like the only thing that matters. But sportsmanship keeps those moments from turning into something harmful. It teaches empathy and courage – the kind it takes to treat someone fairly even when everyone around you isn’t.”
Miles Dell, Chelsea
Ran two seasons of varsity cross country, competing in fourth on swimming & diving team and will compete in his fourth season of track & field in the spring. Also will play his second season of varsity water polo. Qualified for MHSAA Finals all four seasons of cross country, twice in swimming and as part of a track relay, and earned academic all-state in all three sports and academic all-region in water polo. Served as team captain of cross country, swim & dive and track & field teams. Participating in second year of National Honor Society, third year of Interact Club, second years of Key Club, Link Crew and Bible Club, and first in economics club and as part of Bulldog Mentors for school’s new students. Played in wind symphony and marching bands throughout high school. Will attend University of Michigan and is finalizing his course of study.
Essay Quote: “I had just experienced the pinnacle of sportsmanship in athletics … not just to compete, but to laugh, to celebrate, to have fun, and to forge unbreakable bonds with the people around us. Too often, I think, athletes get caught up in pressure and competitiveness, and these reasons drift out of sight.”
Cole Haist, Big Rapids
Played three seasons of varsity football, playing his fourth of varsity basketball and will play his third of varsity baseball this spring. Earned all-conference in baseball, all-area in football and all-state in basketball, helping all three teams to league championships and the football team to District titles. Earned or was part of team academic all-state honors in two sports. Served as captain of football and basketball teams. Serving second year on MHSAA Student Advisory Council and fourth on school’s student council, this year as student body mayor after three years as class president. Also serving fourth year on athletic leadership council and participating in second year of National Honor Society. Officiated youth football, basketball and baseball throughout high school and also coached youth sports. Participating in fourth year on Climate Crew. Is undecided where he will attend college and is finalizing his course of study.
Essay Quote: “… The other team isn’t the enemy. They’re kids our age who love their sport just as much as we do. Sportsmanship means remembering that – even when the game is intense, even when trash talk is flying, and even when you want to win more than anything.”
Logan Johnson, Flint Powers Catholic
Played four seasons of varsity soccer and two of junior varsity basketball. Earned all-state and academic all-state multiple seasons in soccer and served as team captain. Officiated youth soccer throughout high school. Participating in third year of National Honor Society. Served in student government/student council the last two years and as president in second year of school’s UNICEF Club. Participated in DECA the last two years, competing at district and state levels with a focus on marketing. Has played piano for several years and earned national recognition during competitive performances. Founded neighborhood trash bin cleaning business. Co-founded and served as president of school’s investment club. Totaled more than 200 hours of volunteer community service. Is undecided where he will attend college, but intends to study business.
Essay Quote: “That moment changed how I view leadership. Sports often make it easy to get caught up in pressure, what the crowd wants, what your teammates expect, what the standings say. Real leadership doesn't let the noise around you drown out your values. It is a choice for integrity in moments when it may cost you something.”
Micah Zacks, Detroit Country Day
Played four years of varsity soccer, is playing his fourth of varsity ice hockey and will play his fourth of varsity lacrosse in the spring. Earned all-league in ice hockey, all-state in soccer and all-America in lacrosse, and helped soccer and lacrosse teams to MHSAA Finals championships. Served as team captain of soccer and ice hockey teams. Served as icer hockey referee for two years and youth soccer trainer as a senior. Named National Merit Scholarship Commended Student and earned national scholar-athlete recognition. Founded school’s Jewish Student Alliance as a freshman and served as vice president of Youth in Government Club and Jewish Teen Connection Community Service Club. Participating in French foreign exchange program. Will attend University of Michigan and study statistics.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship can come in many different ways, but what’s important is making an effort to respect and help others. It is so important because what I will remember looking back on my high school sports memories is not just the wins and losses, but the character and kindness that were shown, and it is those values that I learned that I will carry with me throughout my life.”
Other Class B girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were Presley Chamberlain, Cheboygan; Sydney Fox, Birch Run; Maya Grossman, Vicksburg; Sophia Hazzi, Ann Arbor Greenhills; Kendall Hollon, Yale; Ava Lassey, Wixom St. Catherine; Clare O'Donnell, Negaunee; Avery Pagel, Birch Run; Liliana Saunders, Negaunee; Aubrey Tarkiewicz, Marshall; and Lilly Thelen, Portland.
Other Class B boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were Hugh Aaron, Detroit Country Day; Parth Ashok, Ann Arbor Greenhills; Dylan Becksvoort, Holland Christian; Caleb Carignan, Flint Powers Catholic; Nolan Carr, Corunna; Tucker Cole, Tecumseh; Joel DeLorge, Corunna; Bryce Gross, Flint Powers Catholic; Jackson Kohler, Yale; Caden Sommerfield, Frankenmuth; Möbius Stubblefield, Edwardsburg; and Jaxxon Thelen, Ionia.
The Class C and D scholarship award recipients were announced Feb. 3, and the Class A honorees will be announced Feb. 17.
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.
Answers from the Athletes
By
Rob Kaminski
MHSAA benchmarks editor
May 22, 2014
By Rob Kaminski
MHSAA benchmarks editor
MHSAA Student Advisory Council members were asked their opinions on several of the current issues facing the MHSAA Junior High/Middle School Committee and the MHSAA JH/MS Task Force. Students also shared experiences from their junior high/middle school days and from participation with non-school teams. Following is a sampling of responses:
Length of Contests and Seasons
Based on your junior high/middle school experiences, would you favor an increase in the number of contests/events that a junior high/middle school is allowed to play? Would you favor longer game times?
Kiersten Mead, Saginaw Swan Valley: “I personally don't believe that longer seasons are necessary. In middle school, student athletes are just starting to learn how to balance sports and school, so I think that the season time is already pretty reasonable.
“I do, however, believe that longer games would be really beneficial to all ages. It would allow more students to play and participate.”
Jonathan Perry, McBain Northern Michigan Christian: “When I was playing, I wish my season would have been longer, but it is at a reasonable length. It would be harder on parents having a middle school player and a high school player, but it would get you more ready for a high school-length schedule.
“The games are at a reasonable length also. The one benefit of having more games and longer games is that more kids get to play who otherwise might not if they had a shorter game or season.”
Connor Thomas, Marlette: “As a player, I would be totally in favor. If I were an adult, I would say no because of the traveling. As for the lengths of games, again, I’d favor it as a player. But with schools that have A and B teams for both grades, that could be a late night.”
Kristen Law, Bloomfield Hills Andover: “I really enjoyed playing in middle school, and I would have loved to be able to play more. Increasing the length of games might depend on the sport. For tennis, from what I remember, the matches were a shortened version of what we play in high school, and I thought they were appropriate given the level of the majority of the players that were competing.”
Zack Nine, Pinconning: “Based on my middle school sports experience, I would favor an increase in the number of contests and a longer game time. These changes would give athletes who do not get much playing time a chance to gain more experience. I also believe that more games and a longer game length would keep our youth in better shape and better prepare them for high school athletics through an easier transition.”
Mandy Paull, Cheboygan: “I think that middle school sports should be allowed to play more games, but I do not think that the length of games should be increased.”
Coby Ryan Manistique: “I would favor an increase in the number of contests. The seasons are quite short and go by too quickly, in my opinion.
“I would also favor longer game times. With this, more kids will get the opportunity to play, and it will also make the travel and the time invested more worthwhile.”
6th-Grade Participation
Is it time to also include 6th-graders at junior high/middle schools under MHSAA guidelines? Consider enrollments, sports and participation with 7th- and 8th-graders.
Eliza Beird, Holland Black River: “I would favor the addition of 6th-graders in all sports. This would allow for the possibility of two teams in some sports and it gets the kids playing with people they might be playing with for the rest of their high school careers.
“It is definitely easier to put 6th-graders with 7th- and 8th-graders at a smaller school because one grade usually won’t out-number another grade. In a big school, a bunch of 8th-graders will try out for the team because more go to a school. In larger schools, 6th-graders would have a chance to make only a 6th-grade team.
Hayden Smith, Hamilton: “I think it’s time for 6th-graders to be included, but not in all sports; just the non-contact ones. The various sizes of schools would make it easier for some to compete and harder for others, but it shouldn’t matter overall. All schools’ 6th-graders should be able to play. I think that would be a great experience for them.”
Mandy Paull, Cheboygan: “I think that 6th-grade students should be able to play middle school sports. Sports are a good way to initiate incoming elementary students to the middle school as well as provide a fun, constructive activity that they can participate in with their friends, and a way to make new ones as well.
“The 6th-grade athletes should only be mixed with the 7th and 8th grade in cross country and track, and have their own teams for sports like volleyball and basketball, just as the 7th- and 8th- graders do. Only non-contact sports should mix all grades.”
Connor Thomas, Marlette: “Coming from a smaller community, I think the MHSAA should include 6th-graders in only the schools that need them, such as small Class D schools. They should be allowed to play with 7th- and 8th-graders as long as the schools need them, and aren't bringing them up to have a ‘dream team.’ Enrollment has to be a factor; the schools should be struggling for numbers in order to have a 6th-grader on a team.”
Zack Nine, Pinconning: “I believe that 6th- graders should not be held accountable to MHSAA regulations. My opinion largely stems from the fact that not every school includes 6th grade as part of its middle school. I know mine does not. It would be difficult to regulate the participation of 6th-graders in some schools (because they're considered middle schoolers) while other schools cannot let their 6th-grade elementary students compete.”
Jonathan Perry, McBain Northern Michigan Christian: “I think all sports should be included if 6th-graders were allowed to play. I think it’s more helpful to small schools, but wouldn’t limit it based on enrollment. I go to a small school; last year my school did not have enough kids for a 7th-grade team.”
Kiersten Mead, Saginaw Swan Valley: “I understand the monetary considerations schools may have with 6th-grade teams through the MHSAA, but I do believe that the MHSAA should start setting guidelines for the schools which see it as feasible. Middle schools don't have to go through the MHSAA, but I believe that by including 6th-graders, it may generate a positive reaction from member schools.
“I feel like as long as the coaches don't see a major physical disadvantage to it, then it would be okay for 6th-graders to participate with the 7th and 8th grade in all sports. Non-contact sports would most definitely be alright, because in high school, you compete against all ages anyways.
Coby Ryan Manistique: “I believe that it is time for 6th-graders to get the chance to participate in athletics, regardless of school size. By choice, a child should always be given the opportunity to be active, stay out of trouble, learn about teamwork and leadership, and build a foundation for fundamentals that will be used for the rest of their athletic careers. Many schools do not have locally run programs, and the MHSAA running it would give thousands more kids a chance to play.”
Kristen Law, Bloomfield Hills Andover: “When I was in 6th grade, I was competing against 7th- and 8th-graders (on community teams), and I probably would have been upset if I couldn't compete against them. Sixth-grade participation should definitely be allowed in non-contact sports, but I don't know too much about contact sports and the risk of injury to 6th-graders if it were to be allowed.
“I don't think the size of the school should determine whether or not 6th-graders can compete against 7th- and 8th-graders.”
Community and Club Sports
If you played community sports during your JH/MS years, how did the experience compare with school sports? If you could have played MHSAA-based sports in 6th grade, would you have done so?
Emileigh Ferguson, Bear Lake: “I played little league softball prior to middle school, until 5th grade. I prefer MHSAA sports over other kinds because they are more serious and organized. My school has basketball for 5th and 6th grade so we don’t play with middle school.”
Eliza Beird, Holland Black River: “I played soccer and basketball from Kindergarten through 6th grade and still play club sports. My outside-of-school sports tended to be a bit better.
“If there were MHSAA sports in 6th grade, I would have definitely played basketball. I already played with a bunch of girls from school so playing for my school would not have been much different. Plus it’s fun to play for my school. I probably would not have played soccer because the club team I was on at the time was quite a bit better than the school team.”
Hayden Smith, Hamilton: “In my experience (community sports) was somewhat similar, but still different. School sports weren't coached by parents anymore; the best players got to start. Also, it was different in that a lot of kids stopped playing; only the ones who really liked it kept playing. However, it was similar because there were always people (parents and kids) complaining about playing time. It was similar in that there was always a strong community at your back.
“If I could have played school sports earlier, I would have done so because of the aspect of representing my community and school. I think I still would have done the travel baseball stuff, but that is always in the summer.”
Mandy Paull, Cheboygan: “I played girls little league softball from 3rd to 5th grade, and house hockey from 1st grade to 9th. In middle school the sports were more serious and I enjoyed them much more. As a team we would dress up for our games, and we got to travel on a bus to away games. There was a much stronger bond and all the players were more serious. The teams were also better in middle school due to tryouts.
“I definitely would have played middle school sports in 6th grade as opposed to community teams.”
Jonathan Perry, McBain Northern Michigan Christian: “I did not notice a huge difference between community sports and school sports. The big difference in community sports is that you get a wide range of kids, not just the kids in your school. I like playing the school sports better because I knew that the kids I was playing with were who I would play high school sports with.
“I would have played school sports in 6th-grade or earlier if the option was there. A lot of community sports I played on (were) all about winning. The school team sports provide learning sessions for both sports and life. It's an extension of the classroom. I saw that more with school sports than community sports.”
Kiersten Mead, Saginaw Swan Valley: “I did not play anything prior to middle school, but in 6th grade I was a part of an AAU volleyball team since my school did not offer a 6th-grade team. I also bowled in leagues at a few different bowling alleys.
“I definitely would have played with my school versus community. We really didn't have a solid AAU program in our area so the school team was much more organized. I found that the volleyball teams through my school were much more beneficial to me. We practiced on a regular basis, and it was nice to play with girls that I was already friends with. We were able to grow more as a team and gain a greater sense of unity. I believe that my school team made me a better athlete as well.”
Kristen Law, Bloomfield Hills Andover: “I enjoyed being able to play sports with my friends in middle school, but I also liked the competitiveness of the community- based sports I participated in. The middle school sports atmosphere didn't feel as competitive.
“When I was in 6th grade, I played tennis on the middle school team, but it was not affiliated with the MHSAA.”