The finalists have been announced for the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Scholar-Athlete Awards for the 2020-21 school year.
The program has recognized student-athletes since the 1989-90 school year and again this winter will honor 32 individuals from MHSAA member schools who participate in at least one sport in which the Association sponsors a postseason tournament.
From the finalists pool, the MHSAA will select winners who will receive a $1,000 scholarship underwritten by Farm Bureau Insurance.
Every MHSAA member high school could submit as many applications as there are scholarships available in its classification, and could have more than one finalist. Multiple-sport participation remains the norm among applicants. The average sport participation rate of the finalists is 2.858. This year, 1,356 applications were received. All applicants will be presented with certificates commemorating their achievement.
The applications were judged by a 72-member committee of school coaches, counselors, faculty members, administrators and board members from MHSAA member schools. Selection of the 32 scholarship recipients will take place in early February.
To be eligible for the award, students must have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.50 (on a 4.0 scale) and previously have won a varsity letter in at least one sport in which the MHSAA sponsors a postseason tournament. Students also were asked to respond to a series of short essay questions, submit two letters of recommendation and a 500-word essay on the importance of sportsmanship in educational athletics.
Finalists from Southwest Michigan include…
GIRLS CLASS A
Jane C. Heystek, Loy Norrix
BOYS CLASS A
Troy Pratley, St. Joseph
Aidan Eichman, Portage Central
Jack Eiden, Portage Northern
GIRLS CLASS B
Katie DeVlaminck, Buchanan
BOYS CLASS B
Cade M. Vota, Niles
Jackson Hoover, Edwardsburg
Nickolai J. Emde, Plainwell
There were no area finalists from Class C or Class D schools.
