ST. GEORGE — It’s 5 a.m. and you’re plunging underwater for the first of your 8400 daily yards. By 7 a.m. you are heading to the school to study for seven hours where you strive to please multiple teachers, followed by another two hours in the pool.
Finally it’s 5 p.m. and you think you can head for home to do your homework, but realize you still have volunteer hours to contribute tonight. Every weekend is filled with either a swim meet, or another volunteer experience.
Sounds like a full schedule for anyone, but this is the life of a high school swimmer who is working to earn a Flyer/Warrior award.
The swim teams of Dixie High School and Snow Canyon High School encourage their swimmers to not only achieve state level times, but also to earn the prestigious Flyer or Warrior Award. This award requires the students and swimmers to meet the following benchmarks:
- Achieve 3A state times
- Maintain a 3.75 grade point average
- Attend 90 percent of all high school practices
- Complete 35 service hours within the community, within the swim season
Coaches will also consider the areas of integrity, leadership and team contributions outside of scoring or times.
2014 was the first year this award opportunity was instituted and Dixie had 5 students earn it; Hart Baresco, Kayla Greer, Alyssa Pantelakis and Michael Pantelakis. Snow Canyon had Brin Condie and Walker Wright earn the Warrior Award.
This year’s recipients for the award for Dixie are Alina Barnes, Kayla Greer, for the second year, Ashlee McBride, Alyssa Pantelakis, for the second year, Porter Stevens, Nathan Hook, and Garrett Grossman. Snow Canyon’s Walker Wright earned it for the second year also.
In keeping with the varsity theme, the award recipients receive not only accolades and self satisfaction, but also a letterman sweater or jacket with their name and achievements on it.
This award is indicative of the student’s effort to strive for greater heights in not only their athletic achievements but also their academic and scholarly pursuits as well as community involvement. These students are known within their communities as contributors who care about those around them, and those who are willing to put themselves out to better their community.
This effort and achievement helps prepare these young men and women to become the future leaders of tomorrow. Maybe even the leaders of our community.
Please join us in congratulating these exceptional students for their accomplishments.