The 120 finalists for the Michigan High School Athletic Association's Scholar-Athlete Awards for the 2021-22 school year, presented by Farm Bureau Insurance, have been announced. Fremont senior Haley Zerlaut is among the finalists for one of the 32 scholarships that will be awarded. The program, in its 33rd year, has recognized student-athletes since the 1989-90 school year and again this winter will honor individuals from MHSAA member schools who participate in at least one sport in which the Association sponsors a postseason tournament. Farm Bureau Insurance underwrites the Scholar-Athlete Awards and will present a $2,000 scholarship to each recipient. Since the beginning of the program, 864 scholarships have been awarded. This year, 1,434 applications were received. 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. N3 caught up with a busy Ms. Zerlaut in between studies and practices for the Packer basketball team to pose a few questions. How did this come about? This scholarship opportunity was brought to my attention by my high school’s athletic director, Mr. Walls. What sports have you earned Varsity letters in? By the end of the school year, I will have earned a total of 12 varsity letters in golf, basketball, and softball. What’s your favorite sport? I enjoy every sport that I play, but my favorite is basketball. GPA? What classes are favorites? I have obtained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school. I have always enjoyed math, but I have also loved taking woodshop and orchestra over the past several years. Tell us about the application process. The process included several questions regarding my achievements in both academics and athletics, as well as a couple of short answer questions. I was also required to write a 500-word essay about sportsmanship in athletics. Finally, I was asked to submit two letters of recommendation, which were submitted by my golf coach, Mr. Krim, and my athletic director and basketball assistant coach, Mr. Walls. What type of essay questions were asked? The application process included two short answer questions asking how high school sports as well as out-of-classroom activities have helped to prepare me for life after high school. There was also an essay question that asked about the importance of sportsmanship in high school athletics. The main essay was to be on the importance of sportsmanship in athletics. Can you tell us how you responded? The MSHAA Scholar-Athlete Award is a very competitive scholarship, so I knew that I would need to make my essay really stand out to the judges. I started my essay by explaining that an act of sportsmanship does not need to be a huge gesture, rather sportsmanship comes down to respect. I then told a story of how I experienced sportsmanship in high school golf. I explained that as a freshman, I was shy and nervous for my first high school golf match. It was clear that my opponents were much more skilled than I was, but one of my opponents, Holly, showed excellent sportsmanship throughout the match. She never complained about helping me look for a ball and she encouraged me along the way. I further explained that while this was a simple act of sportsmanship, it meant a lot to me as a freshman just getting into the game of golf. I shot 155 that day, but her encouragement led me to keep working at the game. By the end of my high school career, I had been named CSAA All-Conference twice, played in the regional tournament four times, and broke a school record for lowest nine hole scoring average. Any particular college(s) you have in mind for next year? Why there? I have not yet decided on a college for next year, but I know that I want to stay close to home. Do you have an idea of a field of study (and if so, why?) I would like to pursue a degree in Elementary Education. I have always loved the interactions that I have had with young kids, and I want to be able to have a positive impact on their lives. Congratulations Ms. Zerlaut. Below is the complete essay she submitted Often when people think of sportsmanship, they think of heart warming, inspirational stories that they have seen on the news or on social media. However, an act of sportsmanship does not have to be a huge gesture. Rather, an act of sportsmanship can be as simple as ending the game by shaking hands with your opponent. Throughout high school sports, I have seen countless acts of sportsmanship. Sportsmanship can be defined in many different ways, but it all comes down to respect. Players must respect their teammates, opponents, referees, and coaches. High school athletics are unique in the way that student-athletes do not play for themselves, but rather they represent their school and their community as a whole. Therefore, the sportsmanship shown by student-athletes is a representation of their entire community. About a week before the first day of my freshman school year, I woke up early and headed to the school to leave for my first conference golf match. I piled my clubs and push cart in the back of the van and got in for the hour and half long ride to Holland Lake Golf Course. My heart was pounding as we pulled into the parking lot. I was nervous for how I would play, but also for the interactions I may have with my opponents, as I was never a very outgoing kid. After only one hole, it was clear that my opponents were much more skilled than I was. My opponents would hit a ball 200 yards down the fairway, while I would hit mine half the distance and straight right. However, one of my opponents, Holly, showed great sportsmanship throughout the entire round. She did not once complain about the pairing as she helped me look for my golf ball over and over again. She even encouraged me and helped me in whatever ways that she could. As we added up scores at the end of the round, Holly ended up shooting an 88, while I shot a career high of 155. This could have been a miserable experience for me, but Holly's great sportsmanship encouraged me to keep working hard to improve. In Holly's mind, this was probably just another round of golf, but her great sportsmanship meant a lot to me as a freshman just getting into the game. These are the kind of athletes that make high school sports as wonderful as they are. No matter what the situation is, there is never an excuse for bad sportsmanship. You never know who may be watching and what impact you may be having on them.
1 Comment
Blake zerlaut
1/23/2022 08:10:00 pm
Congrats, proud of you
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