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: Rochester's Aubrey Hillard
February 7, 2025
Aubrey Hillard ♦ Rochester
Senior ♦ Competitive Cheer
Hillard is finishing a highlight-filled four-year varsity career with a leading role for one of the most accomplished competitive cheer programs in state history. She and her teammates took a significant step toward another big finish Saturday by clinching a third-straight Oakland Activities Association Red championship. The top-ranked Falcons posted a score of 790.26 in their final league competition, edging No. 2 Stoney Creek by 52 hundredths of a point, with No. 3-ranked Adams finishing third.
Rochester finished third to those two at the 2024 MHSAA Division 1 Final after winning the 2023 Division 1 championship – with Hillard making the all-state second team that season as a sophomore. Primarily a gymnast growing up, Hillard turned her focus fully to competitive cheer as a freshman in 2022 and helped Rochester to a fifth-place Finals finish that season. Hillard also earned academic all-state last year as a junior.
@mhsaasports 📣POW: Aubrey Hillard #competitivecheer #leaguechamps #3peat #part1 #highschoolsports #tiktalk #interview #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA
@mhsaasports 📣POW: Aubrey Hillard #caitlynclark #paigebueckers #veggies #100grand #redheart #part2 #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys - Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey
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Previous 2024-25 honorees
Jan. 31: Wyatt Spalo, Reed City wrestling - Report
Jan. 24: Olivia Flynn, Harbor Springs basketball - Report
Jan. 17: Levi Rozema, Holland Christian swimming - Report
Jan. 10: McRecco McFadden, Burton Bentley basketball - Report
Dec. 18: Nash Leonard, Bay City Western hockey - Report
Dec. 11: Blake Cosby, Dundee wrestling - Report
Dec. 4: Keaton Hendricks, Zeeland West football - Report
Nov. 29: Kate Simon, East Grand Rapids swimming - Report
Nov. 22: Ella Kokaly, Essexville Garber volleyball - Report
Nov. 15: Caroline Bryan, Grosse Pointe South swimming - Report
Nov. 8: Kaylie Livingston, Whitmore Lake cross country - Report
Oct. 25: Oliver Caldwell, Grand Rapids West Catholic tennis - Report
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
(Photos courtesy of the Rochester athletic department.)