A True Student Athlete

Continuing a trend in which I rent out my blog space for the astronomical price of being my friend, today's post is about a friend whose daughter is the real definition of a student athlete.

For the past few decades or so, the phrase "student athlete" has become synomonous with jocks at division I-A schools taking classes like Basking Weaving 101 or The History Of Football Coaching. In other words "student athelete" equals "money making machine who graduates in four years barely able to read or write".

In this particular case, nothing could be further from the truth. Jennifer Christian is one of those rare individuals who is the very model of the traditional student athlete. But, let me have her mother describe just how versatile and well rounded Jennifer really is.

"She is a 18 year old senior at Springfield Central High, in the top 10% of her class, a Mass Mutual academic achiever, junior achievement member, a member on track team for two full years and this season will be her third year of high school track. In the first two years she has been named to the high school academic/scholatics division 1 team for Western Massachusetts, she holds the Western Massachusetts and Massachusetts high school girls 100 meter
title for both years.

Her rookie year she placed second in the 100 meter for New England Championship and last year she placed first with her personal best time of 11.92. She has attended the National Jr. Olympics for two years and has placed in the top 30 both years, and placed first in the
Nike indoor championship 55m for women this past winter.

For community service she has voluntereed to feed the homeless, particiapted in walks for homeless, helps out with youth group at church and Sunday school, and was camp counselor for YMCA this past summer."

Now the reason I'm writing about this remarkable young woman, besides the fact that I'm friends with her mom, is that she entered a regional scholarship contest sponsored by Hood Ice Cream. Her essay on "Why This Person Is A Good Sport On And Off The Field" was accepted and she will be competing for one of 18 $5,000 scholarships that Hood Ice Cream is offering.

This particular contest works on the same principle as American Idol, except that you're voting for your favorite high school athlete. So if you can find the time, please consider voting for this young lady. All the details on how you can vote for your favorite student athlete can be found here. I'm not sure if this will work for anyone who resides out of the New England area, but please give it a try.

On behalf of her mom and as well as myself, I thank you for stopping by and taking the time out your busy day to vote for this wonderful young lady.