Top performers... Willie Williamson congratulates FFS scholar athletes Karen S. and Evan H.
FFS Students Honored by OCIAA with Scholar Athlete Award
By Erika C.
Sportsmanship, teamwork, and dedication make up a team player. Those traits along with a strong work ethic and determination are the characteristics of a scholar athlete.
This year, Evan H. and Karen S. were honored to represent The Family Foundation School as scholar athletes for the Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association.
Schools from Orange, Sullivan, and Delaware Counties pick stand-up students to represent their school as their scholar athletes. “I looked over all the stats, talked to the coaches and family leaders, and then sat down with Annie Januaer and we decided on who would represent FFS for this prestigious award,” said Willie Williamson, head of the athletic department at FFS.
Karen has been at FFS for about two years. She has played on the soccer, basketball, and softball teams at the school as well as playing varsity sports at home. She has also participated in woodcarving, running club, student government, and is a member of the recreation committee. Karen is both an intern and a residential assistant, and spends a lot of her time tutoring other students in chemistry.
Karen was ecstatic to receive the award because of what it means to her. The award shows how far Karen has come and how different her life is today. “I would have never received this award before I got to this school. Scholar and athlete were not words used to describe me,” said Karen.
Karen is graduating in June from FFS and is planning on attending RIT in the fall. She is going to major in chemical engineering and hopes to someday go into the Peace Corps.
Evan H. is also a senior at FFS. He has been at FFS for over a year now and has played golf, soccer, and basketball at the school. Evan said that playing these sports has taught him a lot about being a good friend and a team player.
“Ted Towsley and Larry Patrisso taught me during the basketball season that I can’t change other people and that all I can do is change myself. They helped me to realize that blaming others and thinking that I know best was detrimental to me,” he said.
As well as participating in sports, Evan has been involved in journalism, yearbook, debate, and Venture Crew. He is planning on returning home to Baltimore after he graduates and playing soccer at college in the fall.
Evan is also grateful for the opportunity that he has been given. “To be recognized as a scholar athlete is very rewarding,” he said.
In late April, Karen, Evan, and Williamson will attend a ceremony in Middletown, N.Y. to honor the students who received the award. At the ceremony they will be able to talk to students from other schools and they will enjoy a buffet lunch in their honor.
