Check back soon to learn more about the 2021 Varsity Brands School Spirit Awards!
Congratulations to the 2020 Finalists!
Nominees must be affiliated with a high school in the United States (student, faculty, coach, staff, etc.). Entrants must be nominated by a student, colleague or community member. You may nominate yourself.
Entries Must Include*:
- One 500-word essay demonstrating why the nominee is deserving of this award
- One letter of recommendation from a school principal, administrator or community leader
- Two photos of the nominee and their work
- Optional: links to additional media (including but not limited to press releases, videos, photos, articles, etc.)
*See category descriptions for exceptions.
Grand Prize: America’s Most Spirited High School
Finalists:
- Clover Hill High School | Midlothian, VA
- Franklin Towne Charter High School | Philadelphia, PA
- Los Alamitos High School | Los Alamitos, CA
- Southeast Career Technical Academy | Las Vegas, NV
- Vestavia Hills High School | Vestavia Hills, AL
- Vista Murrieta High School | Vista Murrieta, CA
Athlete
Finalists:
- AJ Quinn – Davidson Academy | Nashville, TN
- Andrew Dyer – Jefferson City High School | Jefferson City, MO
- Ayzjah Mercer – North Stafford High School | Stafford, VA
- Courtney Cockrum – Franklin Central High School | Indianapolis, IN
- David Herfel – Highlands High School | Fort Thomas, KY
- Delaney Barghols – Crossings Christian School | Oklahoma City, OK
- Jacious Clark – Fayetteville High School | Fayetteville, TN
- Jacob Anderson – Bingham High School | South Jordan, UT
- Kevia Miles – Jim Hill High School | Jackson, MS
- Kiersten Jewell – Silver Creek High School | Sellersburg, IN
- Kyle Fitzgerald – Centennial High School | Gresham, OR
- Madison Grajzar – Western Alamance High School | Elon, NC
- Marcos Saldivar – John B. Alexander High School | Laredo, TX
- Monique Christian – Rutland High School | Macon, GA
- Raelee Scarbrough – Farragut High School | Knoxville, TN
- Tristan Wert – Wendell High School | Wendell, ID
Athletic Director
Finalists:
- Andrea Bouwhuis – Bingham High School | South Jordan, UT
- Chris Eaves – Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School | Fort Oglethorpe, GA
- Chris Passamano – Stamford High School | Stamford, CT
- Corry Black – St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School | Columbus, GA
- David Egan – Rock Bridge High School | Columbia, MO
- Frederick Corral – UIC College Prep | Chicago, IL
- Ira Childress – Gulliver Preparatory School | Pine Crest, FL
- Jake Griedl – Marshall High School | Marshall, TX
- Jason Levine – Notre Dame High School Belmont | Belmont, CA
- Jay Getty – Hagerty High School | Oviedo, FL
- Jeremy Leach – Calvary Christian School | Covington, KY
- Joe Kinney – Youngker High School | Buckeye, AZ
- John Sgromolo – Ridgeview High School | Orange Park, FL
- Michael Dowis – North Oconee High School | Watkinsville, GA
- Michael Streitz – Saint Agnes School | Saint Paul, MN
- Paul Loggan – North Central High School | Indianapolis, IN
- Russell Easom – Rutland High School | Macon, GA
- Scott Govern – Hershey High School | Mechanicsburg, PA
- Spencer Parcells – Franklin Towne Charter High School | Philadelphia, PA
- Tracy Leaman – Veritas Academy | Leola, PA
Athletic Trainer
Finalists:
- Alexis Martin – The Key School | Annapolis, MD
- Bryana Kudek – Hartford Union High School | Hartford, WI
- Dianne King – South Forsyth High School | Cumming, GA
- Kiyun Lynch – Atrisco Heritage Academy High School | Albuquerque, NM
- Phillip Shaw – Ouachita Parish High School | Monroe, LA
- Stephanie Clark – Herbert Hoover High School | Elkview, WV
- Stephen Moss – Bixby High School | Bixby, OK
Believe In You
Finalists:
- Columbia High School | East Greenbush, NY
- Haverford High School | Havertown, PA
- James Madison High School | San Diego, CA
- Lakeside High School | Nine Mile Falls, WA
- Perry High School | Chandler, AZ
- Rio Rancho High School | Rio Rancho, NM
- Rutland High School | Macon, GA
- South Johnston High School | Four Oaks, NC
- Trabuco Hills High School | Mission Viejo, CA
- Vestavia Hills High School | Vestavia Hills, AL
Choir
Finalists:
- Arapahoe High School | Centennial, CO
- Carlsbad High School – Sound Express | Carlsbad, CA
- Colquitt County High School | Norman Park, GA
- Fairlawn High School | Sidney, OH
- Herbert Hoover High School | Elkview, WV
- Pebble Hills High School | El Paso, TX
- Trifterea Academy | Chula, GA
Coach
Finalists:
- Adam Wall – Buchanan High School | Clovis, CA
- Amanda Maddox – Rutland High School | Macon, GA
- Brad Warmath – Covington High School | Covington, TN
- Chad Murphy – Beech High School | Hendersonville, TN
- Dale Farr – Robbinsville High School | Robbinsville, NC
- Denise Sargent – L’Anse Creuse High School – North | Macomb, MI
- Don Stanhope – Bangor High School | Bangor, ME
- Dotteanna Garlington – Anacostia High School | Camp Springs, MD
- Hector Clavijo III – Champagnat Catholic School | Hialeah, FL
- Jamie Coggins – Sparkman High School | Harvest, AL
- Jesse Rumsey – Flathead High School | Kalispell, MT
- John Lambourne – Bingham High School | South Jordan, UT
- Jonathan Quinn – Davidson Academy | Nashville, TN
- Jonathan Zuchowski – The King’s Academy | West Palm Beach, FL
- Keith Chattin – John I Leonard High School | Lake Worth, FL
- Kenny Morson – Fayetteville High School | Fayetteville, TN
- Reylene Abbott – Kimberly High School | Twin Falls, ID
- Roger Holmes – Dublin High School | Dublin, GA
- Steve Yarnell – West Genesee High School | Camillus, NY
- Tlaloc Venancio – Crawford High School | San Diego, CA
Community Service Project
Finalists:
- Bingham High School | South Jordan, UT
- Broome High School | Spartanburg, SC
- Costa Mesa High School | Costa Mesa, CA
- Episcopal High School | Houston, TX
- Hatton High School | Town Creek, AL
- Hartford Union High School | Hartford, WI
- Lee High School | Midland, TX
- Montwood High School | El Paso, TX
- Philo High School/Morgan High School | Duncan Falls, OH
- Putnam City High School | Oklahoma City, OK
- Vestavia Hills High School | Vestavia Hills, AL
- William Mason High School | Mason, OH
Game Day Experience
Finalists:
- Canby High School | Canby, OR
- Costa Mesa High School | Costa Mesa, CA
- Covington Catholic | Park Hills, KY
- Creekside High School | St. Johns, FL
- Grapevine High School | Grapevine, TX
- Los Alamitos High School | Los Alamitos, CA
- Saint Amant High School | Saint Amant, LA
- Saint Mary’s Catholic High School | Phoenix, AZ
- Templeton High School | Templeton, CA
- West Central Area High School | Barrett, MN
Graduation
Finalists:
- Carolina High School | Greenville, SC
- Davidson Academy | Nashville, TN
- Killeen Independent School District | Killeen, TX
- Panhandle High School | Panhandle, TX
- Rio Rancho High School | Rio Rancho, NM
- Rutland High School | Macon, GA
- The Salisbury School | Salisbury, MD
Mascot
Finalists:
- AJ Crowder – Greenbrier High School | Greenbrier, TN
- Chris Morano – Richland High School | Richland, WA
- Jayla Anderson – Ouachita Parish High School | Monroe, LA
- Lauryn McCormack – Lyons Township High School | La Grange, IL
- Logan Congrove – Stow-Munroe Falls High School | Stow, OH
- Mikayla Childers – Bandera High School | Bandera, TX
- Mike McKibben – Aquilla Independent School District | Aquilla, TX
- Seth Moyers – Fayetteville High School | Fayetteville, TN
Pep Band
Finalists:
- Northport High School | Northport, NY
- Northwest High School | Jackson, MI
- North Shore Senior High School | Houston, TX
- Ramona High School | Riverside, CA
- Tiftarea High School | Chula, GA
- Santa Margarita Catholic High School | Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Principal
Finalists:
- Arlene Atencio-Lindsay – Hope Christian High School | Albuquerque, NM
- Dusty Johns – Boone High School | Orlando, FL
- Kathy Longenbaugh – East Noble High School | Kendallville, IN
- Keith Ball – Marietta High School | Marietta, GA
- Luke Clamp – River Bluff High School | Lexington, SC
- Scott Burre – Lancaster High School | Lancaster, OH
School Counselor
Finalists:
- April Rogers – Winchester Community High School | Winchester, IN
- Charles Jason McPeak – Logan Senior High School | Logan, WV
- Elizabeth Kaisinger – Franklin Towne Charter High School | Philadelphia, PA
- Helen Thrasher – West Limestone High School | Lester, AL
- Mark Levy – Cordova High School | Rancho Cordova, CA
- Martin Wyckoff – Union-Endicott High School | Endicott, NY
School Tradition
Finalists:
- Arapahoe High School | Centennial, CO
- Carlsbad High School | Carlsbad, CA
- Central Catholic High School | Modesto, CA
- Cleburne County High School | Heflin, AL
- Franklin Towne Charter High School | Philadelphia, PA
- Meridian High School | Meridian, ID
- Rutland High School | Macon, GA
- Saint Amant High School | Saint Amant, LA
- St Louis University High School | St. Louis, MO
- William R Boone High School | Orlando, FL
Spirit Leader
Finalists:
- Beech High School | Hendersonville, TN
- Bishop Gorman Catholic School | Tyler, TX
- Cardinal Spellman High School | Bronx, NY
- Dietrich High School Dietrich, IL
- Flushing High School | Flushing, MI
- John Jay High School | San Antonio, TX
- Marvin Ridge High School | Waxhaw, NC
- Matanzas High School | Palm Coast, FL
- Montgomery High School | Skillman, NJ
- Mount Juliet High School | Mount Juliet, TN
- Ridge High School | Basking Ridge, NJ
- Rio Rancho High School | Rio Rancho, NM
- Ronald Regan High School | San Antonio, TX
- Rutland High School | Macon, GA
- San Clemente High School | San Clemente, CA
- Woodside High School | Newport News, VA
Spirit of Sportsmanship
Finalists:
- Ardrey Kell High School | Charlotte, NC
- Bishop Gorman Catholic School | Tyler, TX
- Christian Academy School | Sidney, OH
- Costa Mesa High School | Costa Mesa, CA
- Countryside High School | Clearwater, FL
- East Noble High School | Kendallville, IN
- Eden Prairie High School | Eden Prairie, MN
- Fayetteville High School | Fayetteville, TN
- Glencoe High School | Glencoe, AL
- White Oak High School | Jacksonville, NC
Spirit of St. Jude
Finalists:
- Cherokee County | Canton, GA
- John Glenn High School | New Concord, OH
- Lawrence Free State High School | Lawrence, KS
- Lee Davis High School | Mechanicsville, VA
- Los Alamitos High School | Los Alamitos, CA
- Magnolia Heights | Senatobia, MS
- Mayfield High School | Mayfield Village, OH
- Oak Ridge High School | Conroe, TX
- Strongsville High School | Strongsville, OH
- Union High School | Union, NJ
Staff Member
Finalists:
- Dee Lewis – Spring Hill High School | Longview, TX
- Dotteanna Garlington – Anacosta High School | Camp Springs, MD
- Doug Borden – East Providence High School | East Providence, RI
- Emily Stecher – Rutland High School | Macon, GA
- John Peter Byrne – Eagle Pass High School | Eagle Pass, TX
- Jolynne Ward – Bingham High School | South Jordan, UT
- Kathi Flynn – Ridgeview High School | Orange Park, FL
- Kelvin Hodgest – Brewer High School | Fort Worth, TX
- Kevin Simonds – Carlsbad High School | Carlsbad, CA
- Mike Gowan – Palmetto High School | Williamston, SC
- Tammy Bice – Liberty High School | Liberty, SC
Student
Finalists:
- Andrea Sanchez – Beech High School | Hendersonville, TN
- Ava Andrews – Carlsbad High School | Carlsbad, CA
- Brandon Cominsky – Christopher Columbus High School | Miami, FL
- Bryan Walker – South Forsyth High School | Cumming, GA
- Camie Black – Klein High School | Tomball, TX
- Caroline Sims – Glencoe High School | Glencoe, AL
- Claire Meeks – Magnolia Heights School | Senatobia, MS
- Delaney Barghols – Crossings Christian Academy | Oklahoma City, OK
- Fallon Jones – Naples High School | Naples, FL
- Garrett Lynch – Lake Hamilton School | Hot Springs, AR
- Hannah Clemons – West Limestone High School | Lester, AL
- Isaac Ngatuvai – Bingham High School | South Jordan, UT
- Jaanai Scott – Atlantic Technical High School | Coconut Creek, FL
- Jadyn Doss – Tivy High School | Kerrville, TX
- Jake Zeyher – Wilton High School | Wilton, CT
- Joscelin Zapoli – Huntsville High School | Huntsville, TX
- Kennedy Stephens – Rutland High School | Macon, GA
- Kennedy Strickler – Page County High School | Stanley, VA
- Melody Byron – Lake View High School | Chicago, IL
- Mikayla Mellis – Dulaney High School | Lutherville-Timonium, MD
- Natalie Roberts – Palm Harbor University High School | Palm Harbor, FL
Student Government
Finalists:
- Airport High School | West Columbia, SC
- Bingham High School | South Jordan, UT
- Carlsbad High School | Carlsbad, CA
- Colquitt County High School | Moultrie, GA
- Holmes County High School | Bonifay, FL
- Kahuku High and Intermediate School | Kahuku, HI
- L’Anse Creuse High School – North | Macomb, MI
- Montwood High School | El Paso, TX
Superintendent
Finalists:
- Brian Hightower – Cherokee County School District | Canton, GA
- Frank Molinar – Brewer High School | Fort Worth, TX
- Jerry Gibson – Marshall Independent School District | Harrison, TX
- Joseph Venditti – Franklin Towne Charter High School | Philadelphia, PA
- Rick Foreman – Trenton High School | Trenton, TX
- Rolland Abraham – Winchester Community High School | Winchester, IN
Teacher
Finalists:
- Brad Frilot – South Forsyth High School | Peach Tree, GA
- Jeffrey Riccitelli – Carlsbad High School | Carlsbad, CA
- Jennifer Greer – Vestavia Hills High School | Vestavia Hills, AL
- Jonathan Doughtery – Franklin Towne Charter High School | Philadelphia, PA
- Julie Smiley – Winchester Community High School | Winchester, IN
- Kate Strickland – Lawton Chiles High School | Tallahassee, FL
- Lindsey Esposito – Woodmont High School | Piedmont, SC
- Logan Rebstock – Haywood High School | Brownsville, TN
- Matt Macfarlane – Templeton High School | Templeton, CA
- Matt Walker – Bingham High School | South Jordan, UT
- Rosa Hough – L’Anse Creuse High School – North | Macomb, MI
- Teresa Scribner – Cleveland STEM High School | Seattle, WA
- Tyler Kunick – Muskego High School | Muskego, WI
- Veronica Christian – Rutland High School | Macon, GA
Team Manager
Finalists:
- Ellie Quinn – Davidson Academy | Nashille, TN
- Josie Petree – Canton High School | Canton, TX
- Mikayla Mellis – Dulaney High School | Lutherville-Timonium, MD
- Nicholas Stahrr – Lancaster Central High School | Lancaster, NY
- Peyton Sheppherd – Westminster Christian Academy | Huntsville, AL
- William Johnson – Anderson County High School | Clinton, TN
Yearbook
Finalists:
- Academy of Sacred Heart | New Orleans, LA
- Danville Community High School | Danville, IN
- East Rowan High School | Salisbury, NC
- Lakeshore High School | Mandeville, LA
- Melbourne High School | West Melbourne, FL
- Robbinsville High School | Robbinsville, NC
- Sparkman High School | Harvest, AL
- Winchester Community High School | Winchester, IN
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