SFHS students named Academic All State

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Dallin Parkinson

Dallin Parkinson, a senior at Spanish Fork High school and captain of the swim team has received Academic All-State for swimming. Dallin is the son of Cameron and Marlene Parkinson. “I would like to thank both my parents for their patience and help on those late night English essays, and their support in all my academic goals. I would also like to thank my mom for first getting me started in swimming and my dad for the encouragement and motivation to get faster times than he did when we was swimming.”

Dallin also attributes much of award to his Coach Melissa Hartley, “When I was a sophomore at the state meet they were presenting the Academic All-State Team for 07-08, and Coach Hartley turned to me and said, ‘I expect to see you up there in two years.’ She has always known what I was capable of and wouldn’t let me achieve any less than my potential in the classroom or in the pool, and I thank her for that.”

When asked to give advice to younger athletes Dallin had this to say, “School should always come before sports because that is what’s more important. If you can succeed in school you can succeed in life.”

Rebecca Greene

Receiving the Academic All State Award was a great honor. Having done well enough in swimming as well as in my education proves that I can accomplish anything I want to. Ever since my sophomore year I have aspired to receive this award. I remember watching the seniors on my team stand on deck and get their name called. I knew that I wanted that was well and I had the capability to achieve it.

My parents, teachers, and coaches all played a vital role in my accomplishments. Push me to succeed, my parents Ed and Mary Ann Greene, made sure that I knew how important my education was, but also wanted to see me succeed in the water. They have me the confidence and opportunity to be involved in sports but made sure I had my priorities straight. Both my teachers and Coach Hartley pushed me to first do my best in academics, and second become an accomplished swimmer. It is important to be a competent student before an athlete because your education will stay with you longer than your athletic skills. However, the lessons of teamwork, dedication, and endurance that I gained in athletics will benefit me as I go in to the world beyond high school.

The prestigious honor this award gives is something all athletes should aspire to get. When my Coach Melissa Hartley called men in she was ecstatic that I was one of the ten girls who received this award. I too was excited. I had worked hard towards this and am grateful for all those people who helped me achieve this goal.

Erin Redd

Earning this award is a great accomplishment. It doesn’t come easy though. With being an athlete also comes responsibility of setting a good example to have a positive influence on others. There is no better way than doing well in the classroom as on the court. Both of these situations are both learning environments of life lessons. They both require hard work, dedication, focus, participation, and performance. As you work hard, in the classroom this will carry over into your athletic performances. You have people all along the way to help you. Your coaches, parents, friends, and teachers all support you and give you a lot of encouragement. Remember to always set goals and work towards them to make the most of your life.

Kaleb Ashworth

Academic All State has been a major goal I have since my freshman year. This award to me means that I pushed myself every second possible on the mat and in the classroom. I have my parents to think for all of this, they stuck with me no matter what. They made school the most important thing and could see the great outcome even when I couldn’t. I feel so good when I step on the mat, like I have accomplished everything. I get he same feeling when I not only get a good grade, but learn things. I would tell all younger athletes to shoot for this someday. If you work hard, everything will come together.

Mallory Murphy

Being named Academic All State is a great and honorable accomplishment. I love to dance and I’ve been dancing all my life! However, my athletic talent won’t last forever, and that is when academics will be a key for success throughout my life. I didn’t intentionally plan on receiving this award. To me, getting good grades and being academically successful has always been important, but getting recognized for my hard work is really rewarding as well.

My teachers, my coaches, and most importantly my parents, Rhett and Angela Murphy, have all helped me to become an Academic All State participant. They have all worked with me and encouraged me to try my very best in all aspects of my life. There were times throughout high school when I would be extremely overwhelmed and stressed. Being the president of the Drill Team, I had to be responsible for our Drill Team and all the activities, practices and performances we were involved in. On top of that, I had to do homework, go to work, and try and manage a social life! Fortunately, I am surrounded by great examples that were there to catch my back! They not only helped me, but they brought my talents and hobbies to a whole new level. I believe in the saying of what you put into it, you will get out of it; whatever I work hard in, I will get great benefits in return.

I believe that mixing academics with athletics is a great opportunity to become a great student, a great athlete, and a well rounded person all together. Although this award is hard work, it is completely worth it. What ahs kept me going when the going gets rough is personal motivation. I had to remember how much my future meant to me, as well as my team. In order to keep and even balance between these things, I had to be organized, driven and passionate. I think that having a great relationship with teachers and coaches help a lot as well school and athletics will conflict at one point, its inevitable! Being able to communicate with these people was crucial to help me achieve all of my tasks and responsibilities. As for your younger athletes looking into this accomplishment, do it! It feels so great to be recognized for your hard work as a student, and as an athlete. Work hard, play hard, and leave the court with no regrets! Your family, coaches, and teachers will be there to help you. Believe in yourself and the world will be yours.