Know Your Role: Lead by 'Embracing the Bench'
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
August 1, 2023
Recent Royal Oak graduate and multi-sport athlete Thomas Romito was among winners this past year of the Michigan Student Voice competition hosted by the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals.
During the MASSP conference at the end of June, Romito explains how he responded to his changing role as a student-athlete, and how others can still make an impact from the sideline by following the same path.
Performance of the Week: Flat Rock's Sarah Giroux
October 2, 2025
Sarah Giroux ♦ Flat Rock
Junior ♦ Volleyball
Flat Rock defeated Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central on Sept. 22 for the first time in program history, and Giroux played her usual lead role. The 5-foot-10 outside hitter had 24 kills, 15 digs and three aces in the five-set win over the Division 3 top-ranked Kestrels. A Division 2 all-state honorable mention earner last fall as a sophomore, Giroux this week also became the first in Flat Rock history to reach 1,000 career kills.
The Rams are up to 20-4 this season and have won 17 of their last 18 matches. Giroux also is an all-stater on the softball diamond, having made the Division 2 first team at second base in the spring, and she could become the third sibling from her family to play at the college level as older sister Kayla plays volleyball at Wayne State, older brother Michael is a freshman baseball player at Grand Valley State, and additionally mother Dawn (Pelc) Giroux starred for the Madonna University women’s basketball team from 1994-98.
@mhsaasports 🏐POW: Sarah Giroux #flatrrock #volleyball #highschoolsports #performanceoftheweek #MHSAA ♬ Bright and fun upbeat pops, Kids, Animals, Pets, Fun, Cute, Happy, Playful, Upbeat(1465232) - SAKUMAMATATA
@mhsaasports 🏐POW: Sarah Giroux #funfacts #tiktalk #performanceoftheweek #highschoolsports #MHSAA ♬ Girly and cute synth pop - SAKUMAMATATA
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Previous 2025-26 honorees
Sept. 25: Sam Schumacher, Portage Central tennis - Report
Sept. 18: Kaylee Mitzel, Saline field hockey - Report
Sept. 11: Natasza Dudek, Ann Arbor Pioneer cross country - Report
Sept. 4: Kate Posey, Big Rapids golf - Report
(Photos courtesy of the Flat Rock athletic department.)