Mercy High Student is Scholar-Athlete Finalist

Mercy High School senior Heather Smith is among 120 finalists for the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Scholar-Athlete Award for the 2011-12 school year.

To be eligible for the award, students must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.50 (on a 4.0 scale), and previously have won a varsity letter in at least one sport in which the MHSAA sponsors a postseason tournament. Students also were asked to respond to a series of short essay questions, submit two letters of recommendation and submit a 500-word essay on the importance of sportsmanship in educational athletics.

The program will honor 32 individuals from MHSAA member schools who participate in at least one sport in which the Association sponsors a postseason tournament. Farm Bureau Insurance underwrites the Scholar-Athlete Award, and will present a $1,000 scholarship to each recipient. Since the beginning of the program, 544 scholarships have been awarded.

This year, 1,636 applications were received. All will be presented with certificates commemorating their achievement.  Additional Scholar-Athlete information, including a complete list of scholarship nominees, can be found on the MHSAA website.

Selection of the 32 scholarship recipients will take place in early February; Class A scholarship recipients will be announced on Feb. 21 on the MHSAA Web site.