Redwing senior Lexi Maloney, along with 31 other high school students from all over Michigan have bee honored with the 2021-2022 MHSAA (Michigan High School Athletic Association) Scholar-Athlete Award.  Farm Bureau, who has been sponsoring the event for 33 years, has awarded over $896,000 in scholarships through the program.

The $2,000 scholarships will be given to individuals who represent their member schools in at least one sport in which the MHSAA sponsors a post season tournament.  In addition to the scholarship, the award winners will also be recognized on March 26th during the boys basketball state finals, held at MSU’s Breslin Center.

To be considered for the award, athletes’ must be seniors graduating in the 2021-22 school year, carry at least a 3.5 grade point average and must have won a varsity letter in a MHSAA sport prior to their senior year.

Applicants were also asked to show active participation in school and community activities, include letters of recommendation and to submit an essay on “why sportsmanship is important to educational athletics.” We asked Lexi if she would be willing to share her essay.  We appreciate her sharing and you can view the essay below.

Featured Photo Credit: Josh Ortman, Ortman Productions. See all the pictures from St. Johns Sports and Events at: https://www.ortmanproduction.com/stjohnshighschool

Photo Credit: Josh Ortman, Ortman Productions.

Lexi’s high school athletic career:

Three seasons of varsity basketball, fourth varsity tennis season in the spring

JV Volleyball as freshman and sophomore

All-Academic and All-Conference honors in basketball and tennis

Helped lead the Redwings to a CAAC Red title and regional runner-up finish In tennis

Four years marching band, 3rd symphonic band serving as tenor drum and drumline section leader

Four years on school’s Student Athletic Leadership Committee

2nd year, National Honors Society

Four years Compassion Club (serving on leadership board), Renaissance Club, Garden Club and church youth group.

Will study mechanical engineering and play tennis for Trine University next year

Redwings Named to the Basketball Dream Team and All Area Team
Second Half article
Lansing State Journal article

Lexi’s submitted essay:

“Sportsmanship is considered the golden rule. Treat others how you want to be treated. Compete in a way you would be proud to watch and have a part of your team. When you play with heart and soul, it may be difficult to keep your emotions in check. All of my coaches, from youth sports through high school, coached me to be a good teammate and fair opponent. One coach taught me something I will always remember.

Coach Doneth, your typical older gentleman, taught the old-school style of basketball. He valued building team relationships and sportsmanship. He taught us to always give our teammate a high five in line, and always stand up on the bench when a sub comes out. One day in practice, we spent time learning about the importance of lifting your team up. When one of our teammates was on the floor, all players in the game run to go help her up. We giggled at this drill, thankful for the break from sprints, but confused why we spent 15 minutes working on helping our teammates up. Coach Doneth was very deliberate in teaching us to help each other up. When it comes to game time and you are the one who falls, it is incredibly uplifting to know the support your team has behind you. A helping hand in the game offers a pause, a breath to calm down and talk to your team. If the role is reversed, and a member of the opposing team falls next to you, Coach Doneth taught us to always help them up too. This simple act shows mutual respect for your opponent and establishes a clean, but hard-fought game. It seems like a simple act, but one that means a lot. Sportsmanship does not always have to be a grand gesture, but maybe the combination of many small acts of kindness, respect, and dignity. Without Coach Doneth, I would have never learned that, and I cannot thank him enough for that.

So while out on any field, court, or even pool, give it your all, push the limits. Appreciate all the hard work others are putting in around you. The blood, sweat, and tears they have given to be their best. Acknowledge that and make it challenge you to be better. When given the chance to congratulate, help, or support your opponent, do it. There will never be any negative backlash from the positivity you give to them and know that makes you a better person. Sportsmanship is much like the golden rule, treat others the way you want to be treated. Take these lessons from the game and make them a part of your every day. Do not be afraid to make yourself a better person.”

Conference Champions! Photo submitted

Trine University – Photo Submitted

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