MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Varsity Brands, the recognized leader in team athletic gear, the driving force in cheerleading and dance, and the most trusted name in celebrating student milestones, hosted the Varsity Brands School Spirit Awards show in Orlando, Florida this weekend to recognize standout educators, teachers, coaches and students in 23 categories.
The Varsity Brands School Spirit Awards, presented by BSN SPORTS, Varsity Spirit and Herff Jones, recognizes schools, school groups and individuals who go the extra mile to build school pride, student engagement and community spirit. Winners were honored with a total of $100,000 in awards from Varsity Brands. Olympic gymnast and gold medalist Laurie Hernandez hosted the show, along with Pennsylvania-based teacher Richard Curtis, best known for his appearances as co-host on Live! With Kelly, the daytime talk show.
"We understand the importance of school spirit, involvement, achievement and self-confidence for young people to succeed in school and beyond," said Jeff Webb, Founder and Chairman of Varsity Brands. "And we're proud to celebrate all the leaders in schools around the country who go above and beyond to inspire excellence in their students and peers."
“From my experience as a gymnast at the Olympic Games, spirit is what got the 'Final Five' to the top. It’s what signified the bond between our team,” said Hernandez. “I’m so grateful I got to honor those who go above and beyond to build school pride, student engagement and community spirit.”
Broken Arrow High School in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma won the title of America’s Most Spirited High School as well as $25,000 for their school. One Broken Arrow student explains, “Enthusiasm pushes us forward, and loyalty is what keeps us coming back for more every time one of our own accomplishes something great. We show up because we want our school to build people up.”
Peter Wininger principal of Bristol Central High School in Bristol, Connecticut, was named Principal of Principle. For 10 years, Principal Wininger has made the well-being of students and staff his life’s mission. English Teacher Gale Dickau explains, “Pete Wininger’s interest and influence reach all areas of the school. He is the protector and promoter of his staff, an advocate for students and the expert at the table when it comes to educational theory and practice.”
Varsity Brands was inspired to introduce the Varsity Brands School Spirit Awards after receiving a flood of exceptional entries for its America's Most Spirited High School Contest in the fall of 2015. Varsity Brands has conducted extensive research which illustrates a direct correlation between school spirit, community and school involvement, academic achievement and self-confidence. According to a Harris Poll and subsequent white paper published in 2014, 92 percent of principals agree that high school spirit is tied to high academic achievement, and 90 percent of students with high levels of school spirit are more likely to be leaders. This search for individuals who exemplify school spirit goes beyond cheerleaders and sporting events and includes the important roles academics, community involvement and overall engagement play in driving school spirit. Watch the full Varsity Brands School Spirit Awards Show on varsitybrands.com/awards; the complete list of winners is below.
SCHOOL AWARDS
AMERICA’S MOST SPIRITED HIGH SCHOOL AWARD
Broken Arrow High School, Broken Arrow, OK
SPIRIT OF INCLUSION AWARD
Pleasant Valley High School, Bettendorf, IA
BEST SCHOOL TRADITION AWARD
Loyola Sacred Heart High School, Missoula, MT
BEST BOOSTER CLUB AWARD
Ottawa Township High School, Ottawa, IL
MOST SPIRITED YEARBOOK AWARD
Brentwood High School, Brentwood, TN
MOST MEMORABLE GRADUATION AWARD
Glacier High School, Kalispell, MT
STAFF AWARDS
PRINCIPAL OF PRINCIPLE AWARD
Peter Wininger, Bristol Central High School, Bristol, CT
LEGACY COACHING AWARD
Douglas Snyder, William Allen High School, Allentown, PA
OUTSTANDING ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AWARD
Luke Beach, Rochester High School, Rochester Hills, MI
TOP-NOTCH TEACHER AWARD
Justin Johnson, St. Vincent's Academy, Savannah, GA
TOP ATHLETIC TRAINER AWARD
Danielle Cote, San Benito High School, Hollister, CA
STAR STAFF MEMBER AWARD
Randy Kepley, Strafford High School, Strafford, MO
GREATEST GUIDANCE COUNSELOR AWARD
Christopher Rogers, Cass Technical High School, Detroit, MI
STUDENT AWARDS
VARSITY MVP AWARD
Isaiah Jones, Childersburg High School, Childersburg, AL
MAGNIFICENT MANAGER AWARD
Haley Davis, Waverly Central High School, Waverly, TN
STUDENT TO CELEBRATE AWARD
Taylor Sampson , Corner Canyon High School, Draper, UT
SUPERIOR SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
West Washington High School, Campbellsburg, IN
OUTSTANDING STUDENT SECTION AWARD
Daniel Boone Area High School, Birdsboro, PA
MIGHTY MASCOT AWARD
Seth Moyers, Fayetteville High School, Fayetteville, TN
STANDOUT STUDENT FILM AWARD
Cherry Creek High School, Greenwood Village, CO
SOUND OF SPIRIT MARCHING BAND AWARD
Fort Walton Beach High School, Fort Walton Beach, FL
CHORALE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Mount Carmel Academy, New Orleans, LA
SPIRIT LEADER AWARDS
Dover High School, Dover, OH & Loyola Academy, Wilmette, IL
About Varsity Brands
With a mission to inspire achievement and create memorable experiences for young people, Varsity Brands elevates the student experience, promotes participation and celebrates achievement through three unique but interrelated businesses: Herff Jones, A Varsity Achievement Brand; BSN SPORTS, a Varsity Sport Brand; and Varsity Spirit. Together, these assets promote personal, school and community pride through their customizable products and programs to elementary and middle schools, high schools, and colleges and universities, as well as church organizations, professional and collegiate sports teams and corporations. Through its 5,000 dedicated employees and independent representatives, Varsity Brands reaches its individual and institutional customers each year via catalog, telesales, e-commerce sites and direct sales channels.
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