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Fall 2008 MS Athletes of the Year

            On October 8th, a group of ten Johnston Middle School student-athletes attended the Pursuing Victory With Honor (PVWH) Conference at the University of Northern Iowa.  These students were chosen by coaches and administrators based on the character they display both in the classroom and in their respective playing arena. The students chosen to attend the conference were Kailey Kerr, Sarah Reed, Kinsey Noble, Abbey Wilmes, Stephanie Waite, Connor Yocum, Matt Zinselmeier, Sam Shaver, Brian Ross, Cody Jacobson, and were accompanied by Mr. Carico and Mr. Town.

            These student-athletes had the opportunity to attend sessions about leadership and decision making, becoming a champion, motivation, stress and wellness, life after sports, and mental and physical preparation to name a few.  The keynote speakers for the conference were John Naber, Olympic gold medalist in swimming, and Rick Nielsen with Blueprint for Life.  After attending the break out sessions and listening to the keynote speakers, each school was asked to establish an “action plan” of what they can do in their own school to promote character development. 

            Our Johnston Middle School students worked very hard on developing an “action plan” and brought it back to our school and instantly put it into action.  They wanted to meet as a group each sports season and identify a student athlete, both male and female, who exemplifies character and leadership in their particular sport.  They would list characteristics of several athletes and the group would then vote on who was most deserving of “Fall Athlete of the Year” in their sport.  A bulletin board was set up displaying a picture of each athlete selected as well as a list of the characteristics showing why they were chosen.  Along with having their picture in the entrance to our building each student received a t-shirt with a  on the front and the pillars of character on the back.

            The athletes selected as “Fall Athletes of the Year” were Ellen Grapp(volleyball), Emma Meyer (swimming), Brooke Vidmar (cheerleading), Adam Gardner (golf), Andre McKay (football), Taylor Mithelman (girls’ cross-country), and Chase Wallace (boys’ cross country).  The PVWH students list the following as characteristics they saw in these athletes: hardworking, leadership, commitment, sportsmanship, determination, focused, prepared, effort, performance, and respects competition.