Monday night had Valparaiso High School full of pride and a few tears at the Fall Athletics Award Ceremony. All the fall sports teams came with their parents to watch as awards were given, laughs were had, and memories were made.
The event started at 6:30 in the high school’s auditorium. Athletic Director Herb Hofer welcomed everyone, then Mike Pavell, Assistant Principal said a few words. Each coach then stood and announced the MVP from their team during 2012.
2012 MVPs were:
Girls Cross Country - Alison Mundell
Boys Cross Country –Peyton Reed
Girls Soccer - Jenelle Klumpe
Boys Soccer - Luke Kovar
Football - Stephen Simms
Boys Tennis -Ben Kalisch
Volleyball - Tarrah Lasky
Girls Golf - Harley Dubsky
Danny Jeftich, Head Coach of the boys’ varsity soccer team, stated at the beginning of the ceremony, “Valparaiso High School is filled with tradition. I have a sign in my office that states, ‘Tradition never graduates’.”
After each student had received their awards, teams were released and sent to separate rooms with for the presenting of individual awards. Everyone was dressed to the nines, and many brought food and drinks to give to add even more to the celebratory tone.
Parents watched proudly as their sons and daughters received recognition for their hard work and devotion to his or her team. Coaches spoke with their own version of pride for their teams. Each room that I went to, I heard a coach say at least once how happy they were and what an honor it was to work with such a great group of kids. The students felt the same way. The friendships and the connections formed within each group ran deep.
“This awards ceremony is awesome,” said Brianna Konrad, a senior at Valparaiso High School and member of the girls cross country team. “It’s nice being a senior because I’ve been through this a bunch of years and it’s really cool to see how each girl improves and changes on the team. I love my teammates so much and to be able to be with them one more time means everything.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself. The students of Valparaiso High School should be proud of the accomplishments they each have achieved. Not only with athletics, but with the friends they have made and the memories that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
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