2022 Winners & Finalists
Congratulations to all of the winners & finalists of the 2022 Varsity Brands School Spirit Awards. View the complete list of honorees.
Grand Prize: America’s Most Spirited High School
WINNER – Olentangy Berlin High School | Delaware, OH
The Spirit Story of Olentangy Berlin is not one with deep history, but one rich with new and meaningful traditions. Built in 2018, culture was intertwined in the bones of the building along with each brick from the ground up. For Berlin Bears, family means standing shoulder to shoulder, clad in cherished school colors of double blue, singing the alma mater played by the adored marching band, the Pride of the Bears. The Berlin Bears Spirit Story is one where students promote an atmosphere of school pride as leaders, athletes, artists, scholars and changemakers. With over 60 student-run clubs and opportunities to get involved at Berlin, each student forges their own link in the school and community. Even after departing, Berlin students will always live by, as the alma mater concludes, “With love and praise for all our days, forever Berlin pride.”
OPEN TO NATIONWIDE VOTE:
- Gaffney High School – Gaffney, SC
- Olentangy Berlin High School – Delaware, OH
- Pocomoke High School – Pocomoke, MD
- Southeast Career Technical Academy – Las Vegas, NV
Finalists:
- Benton High School – Benton, AR
- Eaton High School – Fort Worth, TX
- Gretna High School – Omaha, NE
- Marlow High School – Marlow, OK
- Mayde Creek High School – Katy, TX
- Newark School of Fashion & Design – Edison, NJ
- Orange Lutheran High School – Santa Ana, CA
- Pierce County High School – Blackshear, GA
- Prescott High School – Prescott, WI
- Salinas High School – Salinas, CA
- St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School – Columbus, GA
- Walker High School – Walker, LA
- West Valley High School Yakima – Yakima, WA
Athlete
WINNER – Ronald Christian – Rutland High School | Macon, GA
Ronald Christian, whether on the field, court, or classroom, has proven that he exemplifies sportsmanship, leadership, teamwork, and humility. Between football, basketball soccer and math team, when asked what his role is on these teams, Ronald answers with “Whatever the team needs that I can physically do is my role.” What makes Ronald so special as an athlete is that he does not limit his leadership and teamwork just to the sport that he plays. Ronald also helps with setting up and breaking down special activities for school events that promotes the Three E’s initiative (Enroll, Enlist, Employ). He helps move heavy and complicated scenery for the Drama Club because he knows they need the extra hands. He believes in teamwork and leads by example which encourages others to work just as hard. Ronald Christian is the epitome of a helping hand to everyone he meets. On the field, court, or classroom, he sees opportunities to serve his school, his team, and his coaches. When asked why he does it, he simply answers, “That’s what you do for family, and Rutland is my family because I’m a Hurricane.”
Finalists:
- Luke Boree – Clay High School | Green Cove Springs, FL
- Meagan Brockett – Century High School | Pocatello, ID
- Ronald Christian – Rutland High School | Macon, GA
- Natalee Griffin – Pierce County High School | Blackshear, GA
- Aralen Haiola – Kahuku High School | Kahuku, HI
- Max Hogan – Hillcrest High School | Simpsonville, SC
- Delilah McDaniel – Capital Christian High School | Sacramento, CA
- Hannah Myers – Blythewood High School | Blythewood, SC
- Maddox Pederson – McKinney Christian Academy | McKinney, TX
- MacKenzie Schulz – Strongsville High School | Strongsville, OH
- Tyler Smith – Gaffney High School | Gaffney, SC
Athletic Director
WINNER – John Taylor – Irvington High School | Irvington, NJ
When arriving to Irvington High School, John Taylor felt that school spirit was null. Between the lack of athletic programs offered and lack of participation, John decided to put action into motion. Since then, John started hosting beginning-of-the-season athletic dinners with all the teams competing each season with athletes of all different sports interacting with each other. Each team was living in a proverbial bubble at Irvington High School, and many students only spent time with their teammates, and never got to know their peers playing within other programs. To generate student support, he provided students with passes for free admission to all Irvington games. This encouraged attendance, as well as athletes to attend the games other athletes played in. Lastly, he provided each athlete two t-shirts; one for the sport they played that season, and another of a sport they planned to go see as a fan. If the students showed up to a game wearing the shirt of the team that was playing, they received a $3.00 credit at the concession stands. John influenced school spirit at Irvington by providing students with an environment that promotes and influences their identification with the school. John believes if groups of students are motivated to demonstrate their passion and love for their school, teams, and peers, the community will witness some amazing things from scholars.
Finalists:
- Adam Baumgartner – Rye High School | Rye, Colorado
- Corry Black – St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School | Columbus, GA
- Andrea Bouwhuis – Bingham High School | South Jordan, UT
- Brien Dunphy – Peoria High School | Peoria, IL
- Scott Govern – Middletown Area High School | Mechanicsburg, PA
- Steven Gunn – Rutland High School | Macon, GA
- David Inness – Northwest Christian High School | Phoenix, AZ
- Jason Levine – Notre Dame Belmont | Belmont, CA
- Curt Miller – Oconee County High School | Watkinsville, GA
- Ted Robbins – Lincoln-Way West | New Lenox, IL
- Don Stonefield – East Central High School | St. Leon, IN
- John Taylor – Irvington High School | Irvington, NJ
- Michael Troutman – Sinton High School | Sinton, TX
Coach
WINNER – Dawn Thall – Strongsville High School | Strongsville, OH
Dawn Thall, former three-sport Strongsville High School athlete, returned to her alma mater to pour back into her school and community. Coach Thall has been called a life transformer. She knows the strategies of basketball and track, but what makes Coach Thall so special is her connection to student athletes. Coach Thall, who also serves as a special education aid at the High School, is always seen helping a different group of students and talking to them like they were her own children. In her coaching office, she has personal care items for any student that may need them. Outside of her coaching duties, she volunteers as a coach for Special Olympics, leads the Unified Sports initiative, hosts St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital fundraising nights at her games and has personally and anonymously paid the Pay to Play fee for countless kids who she knew would not be able to be on teams due to financial concerns. Coach Thall brings an unwavering energy to everyone at Strongsville High School and has helped transform students who were on the verge of dropping out to participate in multiple sports, which in turn has helped change their trajectory of lives. Coach Thall, through adversity and turmoil, always puts everyone before her own individual goals, agenda and even family. She is the definition of commitment, loyalty, devotion, and coach.
Finalists:
- Amanda Baca – Fountain Hills High School | Fountain Hills, AZ
- Alysia Bluford – Rutland High School | Macon, GA
- Dan Curran – Konawaena High School | Kealakekua, Hawaii
- Jon Marcus Duncan – Jackson Prep | Pearl, MS
- Brittney Godbout – Chariho Regional High School | Wakefield, RI
- Kori Johnson – Costa Mesa High School | Costa Mesa, CA
- Dan Jones – Gaffney High School | Gaffney, SC
- Benjamin Kullos – Raymond S. Kellis High School | Phoenix, AZ
- Nathan Lautar – Malvern Prep | Broomall, PA
- Jessica Packer – Ridgeland High School | Ridgeland, MS
- Greg Patterson – Hueytown High School | Hueytown, AL
- Kenni Patton – Electra High School | Electra, TX
- Angela Powell – American Canyon High School | Rodeo, CA
- Joe Sato – Bingham High School | South Jordan, UT
- Sheila Story – Carson High School | Carson City, NV
- Dawn Thall – Strongsville High School | Strongsville, OH
- Martin Wyckoff – Union-Endicott High School | Endicott, NY
Game Day Experience
WINNER – Dover High School | Dover, OH
The Game Day experience at Dover High School is orchestrated through teamwork and exceptional leadership shared among students, staff, and community. Each Friday involves a theme chosen by players, students, band members, and cheerleaders together. The energy is evident at all Dover schools as elementary students wear their Dover gear every Friday. Special nights include even the littlest Tornadoes as youth players get to run through the pregame tunnel, the middle school bands perform halftime, and mini majorette and mini cheer nights entertain off the field. High school students often reflect on these experiences as they remember the big kids they once looked up to and vow to “pay it forward.” Leading up to the game, the band follows a rich tradition of marching one mile from Dover High School to Crater Stadium with stops to entertain community members and play familiar songs along the way. During pregame, the coaching staff, directors, and cheer team exchange good luck wishes on the sidelines. The cheerleaders bounce from fans to students to band while dancing and clapping along, and the football team stays on the field to watch the band’s postgame performance. Those involved in all aspects of “Friday Night Lights” know it takes ownership and involvement from everyone, and that is what happens in Dover, OH.
Finalists:
- Bishop Gorman Catholic High School | Tyler, TX
- Dover High School | Dover, OH
- Gaffney High School | Gaffney, SC
- Park Ridge High School | Park Ridge, NJ
- Ramona High School | Riverside, CA
- Station Camp High School | Gallatin, TN
- Union Local Schools | Belmont, OH
- Wauconda High School | Wauconda, IL
Graduation
WINNER – Carolina High School | Greenville, SC
At Carolina High School, graduation begins the first day of school. They challenge every senior to do “Whatever it Takes” throughout the year to walk across the stage by signing the graduation robe that one wears at graduation. It is a contract and a symbol of hope for each student. It hangs in the front office as a constant reminder of what they agreed too. Carolina is a 100% free lunch school which means that many of students live in poverty and fight every day just to make it, nonetheless, graduate. A student-led Graduation Committee designs the entire graduation. From the design of the caps and gowns to the music selected, to the speakers, and the events that will take place throughout the program. On a special day in April, the graduation committee holds a cap and gown reveal. Family members can come to the school and robe their child, and for most, it is a truly powerful and emotional experience. Graduation at Carolina high school is unique, memorable and celebrated all school year long.
Finalists:
- Arapahoe High School | Centennial, CO
- Carolina High School | Greenville, SC
- Olentangy Berlin High School | Delaware, OH
Performing Arts
WINNER – Northwest High School | Jackson, MI
The Marching Mounties of Northwest High School create the best home field advantage in all high school athletics. A presence at every home football and basketball game, the band of Mounties leads the whole community in support of Northwest’s student athletes. The Marching Mounties are a constant presence at rallies, parades, assemblies and within the community. This band is the only band in the state that dresses as their mascot. The Mountie hat, the leather belt, the gauntlets, and distinct red of the jacket is iconic in the Jackson community. In the stands, the Marching Mounties make their biggest impact. Constantly chanting, cheering, and playing, the band coordinates with the cheerleaders to lead the student section in creating an atmosphere where everyone is cheering the players onto victory. The Marching Mounties are a staple to Northwest High School, and place spirit and pride at the center of their program.
Finalists:
- Green Level High School | Cary, NC
- North Allegheny High School | Cranberry Twp., PA
- Northwest High School | Jackson, MI
- Ramona High School | Riverside, CA
Principal
WINNER – Jason St Pierre – Walker High School | Walker, LA
During Jason St Pierre’s career at Walker High School, his goal has gone far beyond preparing students for college or the workforce. His goal is to prepare them for life. Jason has engaged community leaders in providing invaluable real-world learning opportunities for his students. Some of these programs include a student-operated credit union branch, a body shop program under the tutelage of a local car dealership and a real estate license program through a national realty company. Others include media production, culinary arts, robotics, welding and more. Almost all these programs are sponsored by Walker-area businesses that in some cases, hire Walker students during or after their academic careers. The local community’s support of Walker High under Jason’s leadership perfectly embodies what defines as a great leader in education. At Walker High, it is “where opportunity today, means success tomorrow.”
Finalists:
- Matt Franzino – Santa Fe Catholic High School | Lakeland, FL
- Danielle Jackson – Kempner High School | Sugar Land, TX
- Donnie Littlejohn – Gaffney High School | Gaffney, SC
- Wendy Pooler – Rutland High School | Macon, GA
- Jason St Pierre – Walker High School | Walker, LA
- Shelley Tierce – Cartersville High School | Cartersville, GA
Spirit of St. Jude
WINNER – Woodstock High School | Woodstock, GA
Woodstock High School is determined to end childhood cancer together; and together they did with their rival high school. Etowah High School sits less than two miles away from Woodstock, and the history of the rivalry runs deep athletically and academically. To bring the two schools together, Woodstock High School developed their Spirit of St. Jude fundraiser for the greater cause. During the week Woodstock plays Etowah in the annual Battle of Towne Lake football game, the schools come together and raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Over the past six years, the two schools have raised over $45,500 for St. Jude. Not only is this a school-wide effort, but it also winds its way through the tight knit community of both institutions generating a level of excitement unmatched by even the most rivalrous Friday Night Lights. The schools are buzzing with positive vibes for the entire week, and not a single person turns down the opportunity to be a part of something so special. During the football game, a check is presented to St. Jude with the total amount fundraised by both schools combined. In the end, it is not about winning or losing a football game; it is about coming together to recognize something larger than any school community and work to make this world better place and a goal that no child dies in the dawn of life.
Finalists:
- Havana High School | Hanava, IL
- Woodstock High School | Woodstock, GA
Student
WINNER – Paige Reed – Erskine Academy | South China, ME
Erskine Academy is built on its core values of scholarship, leadership, stewardship, and relationships. Paige Reed takes “relationships” to the next level. Erskine Academy is Paige’s family, and since her first day of freshman year, Paige has bled Erskine blue. Always the optimist, Paige treats all others as equals and invites them into her circle and once in that circle, you have a friend for life. To Paige’s cheerleader side, Erskine isn’t just a place she has to go daily, but where she lives to be. And she leads by example, showing and telling everyone else to be proud of where, and who we are. Paige, having survived childhood leukemia, had fallen out of a 12-year remission in October of 2021. As unimaginable as this journey is to most, Paige is taking it in stride. Paige’s absence in school due to treatment has been felt by all the students, staff and faculty at Erskine. Paige continues to “mat-talk” her teammates through zoom and live streams school events. Her absence has caused the Eagle community to hone into their roots of stewardship, and they continue to rally around a full recovery for Paige. It is agreed upon that Erskine Academy is only complete with Paige Reed.
Finalists:
- Savannah Callahan – Lehigh Christian Academy | Allentown, PA
- Carson Day – Bingham High School | South Jordan, UT
- Anna Grange – West Valley High School-Yakima | Yakima, WA
- Diego Grateron – Bingham High School | South Jordan, UT
- Max Hogan – Hillcrest High School | Simpsonville, SC
- Jalen Jones – Rutland High School | Macon, GA
- Krisdon Marquardt – Peoria High School | Peoria, IL
- Mikayla McDaniel – Capital Christian High School | Sacramento, CA
- Mickey McKibben – Aquilla Independent School District | Aquilla, TX
- Joely Myrick – Pierce County High School | Blackshear, GA
- Alejandra Pulido – Linda Marquez High School | Los Angeles, CA
- Paige Reed – Erskine Academy | Jefferson, ME
- Chad Savaso – Orange Lutheran High School | Orange, CA
- Holly Taguma – Kauai High School | Lihue, HI
Teacher
WINNER – Karen Denton – Gaffney High School | Gaffney, SC
Love, loyalty, spirit… No better words describe Gaffney High School’s, Karen Denton. On any given day, she can be found in the media center surrounded by students while she tutors each in math or science, especially chemistry. Her patience, techniques, and way of making even the toughest problem for a student understandable is astonishing. She is a guru of all things Gaffney High School and is willing to take part in and be part of all aspects, from academics to school spirit endeavors. In addition to knowing all things Gaffney High School, including history, alumni, and all students, she has served as chairperson of Senior Awards Day for more than ten years. She is a lead on PROM BASH, Homecoming Committee, and other community programs, including a local soup kitchen. Karen epitomizes joy for Gaffney High School. This joy and loyalty have roots and depth, beginning back in the early 1990s when she was a student at Gaffney High School. Her love, loyalty, and spirit compelled her to return years later to her alma mater to inspire others. Karen Denton is Gaffney High School. One teacher stated, “Everything Karen touches turns into Gaffney Gold.”
Finalists:
- Veronica Christian – Rutland High School | Macon, GA
- Karen Denton – Gaffney High School | Gaffney, SC
- Brian Gallagher – Ramona High School | Riverside, CA
- Ben Mahon – Peoria High School | Peoria, IL
- Edgar Moore – Cartersville High School | Cartersville, GA
- Amber Thomas – Bingham High School | South Jordan, UT
- Janet Wooten – Richmond Hill High School | Richmond Hill, GA
- Martin Wyckoff – Union-Endicott High School | Endicott, NY
- Kelly Young – Rock Island High School | Rock Island, IL
Yearbook
WINNER – Winchester Community High School | Winchester, IN
Every year, regardless of the size or location of a school, the Winchester Community High School Yearbook Committee has one overarching goal: capture the moments of the year. In March of 2020, the Golden Era yearbook staff found themselves scrambling for a new focus on a book already well under way. With pages already complete and more in the works, plans had shifted quickly. The yearbook committee forged ahead, conducting phone interviews, scouring social media for photos, capturing online learning by students submitting photos. While these pages were planned out for months, this committee was able to quickly pivot and truly capture the spirit of the school, the kindness of the greater community, and most importantly, the memories that made a difficult year not so bad after all. School spirit looks different at every school, but at Winchester, it revolves around chasing success, rising above, and working relentlessly towards victory. And at the end of the day, there is no doubt that the 2020 Golden Era Yearbook staff did just that.
Finalists:
- Los Lunas High School | Los Lunas, NM
- Governor Livingston High School | Berkeley Heights, NJ
- Rio Rancho High School | Rio Rancho, NM
- Vista Ridge High School | Colorado Springs, CO
- Winchester Community High School | Winchester, IN
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