MSHS seniors Zoe Smith (girls basketball, girls golf) and Axel Vermaat (boys soccer, boys basketball) have been named as the recipients of the First Bank Outstanding Scholar-Athletes for the 2021-22 academic year.
Thank you to First Bank for their continued support of MSHS and its student-athletes through this award.
Selection criteria for the First Bank Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Award are:
- Academic excellence based on cumulative GPA, academic honors received and class standing.
- Athletic performance and accolades with students having earned a minimum of four varsity letters. In addition, honorees must have earned varsity letters in at least two sports.
- Extracurricular involvement in MSHS clubs/organizations as well as a demonstrated commitment to community service.
Zoe Smith participates in the MSHS Girls Basketball and Girls Golf programs. She holds a 3.97 cumulative GPA.
Smith’s 2021-22 Involvement and Achievements:
- Girls Basketball: BCAM “Outstanding Senior Student-Athlete” Award, All-Great Northern Conference Second Team
- Girls Golf: All-U.P. Second Team; All-Great Northern Conference First Team
- Additional Extracurricular Involvement: Student Council Vice President; National Honor Society
- Other Accomplishments: Herman E. Olson Citizenship Kaufman Award; Local Scholarship; Kiwanis “Athlete of the Month” – January
- Post-Graduation Plans: Attend Grand Valley State University and study business and marketing
Axel Vermaat participates in the MSHS Boys Soccer and Boys Basketball programs. He owns a cumulative GPA of 4.37.
Vermaat’s 2021-22 Involvement and Achievements:
- Boys Soccer: Team Captain; Led Team in Assists (18); Third in Goals (10); helped team to 14th consecutive U.P. Championship (21-2 record)
- Boys Basketball: Started at guard in all 21 games in the 2021-22 season
- Additional Extracurricular Involvement: National Honor Society Treasurer; Student Council; Disc Golf Club; Ping Pong Club; Sierra Club Student Coalition
- Other Accomplishments: 2021-22 Academic Kaufman Award; Excellence in Education Scholarship; Local Scholarship; Elks State Scholarship; AP Scholar with Distinction; Kiwanis “Athlete of the Month” – October
- Post-Graduation Plans: Attend college and pursue a career as an economist or politician.
2021-22 MSHS Female Athlete of the Year – Maria Millado
The MHSCA Rich Tompkins Multi-Sport Athlete of the Year is given annually to eight total student-athletes within the state of Michigan with a male and female recipient in Class A, B, C and D. Recipients are nominated by their school’s athletic administrator and selected based on their participation in interscholastic athletics and a letter award winner in twelve or more sports during an athlete’s high school career. Along with their contribution to the sport, school, and community.
The MHSCA is a – 68-year-old association with nearly 15,000 members serving coaches & athletic administrators, and all levels as coaches in numerous high schools and junior/middle highs throughout the state. The Michigan High School Coaches Association works to promote the educational value of interscholastic athletics and the role of athletic administrators and coaches. The MHSCA are very proud to spotlight Maria Millado – a person whose work and values best mirror those of the interscholastic sports.
