The Wildcat Club presented scholarships to eight deserving Lake Highlands athletes yesterday, a sure sign the school year is coming to a close. On hand to congratulate the recipients were LHHS Principal Peggy Dillon, Athletic Director Scott Smith, Head Counselor Pam Mitchell, and several teachers, family members, counselors and coaches. You can see my photos from the day below.
Hollyn Adams received the Katie Findley Scholarship in memory of the former LH mascot killed in a car accident while home from Ole Miss. Hollyn was Captain of this year’s regional finalist LH volleyball team and was named 1st Team All District. She’s also Captain of the Wildcat Wranglers and one of the top ten students in her class. She’ll be an Aggie next year.
Emily Hillman was presented with the Bill Georges Scholarship in honor of LHHS’ first Athletic Director and Head Football Coach. Emily overcame several major injuries to be named Captain of the varsity volleyball team and 1st Team All District. “What really sets Emily apart is her positive can do attitude,” said Wildcat Club President Byron McCoy, who presented the award. “When her season-ending injury occurred, she reinvented herself as a player coach and helped the team achieve further success as a Regional Finalst.” Emily was also selected Academic All State and Miss LHHS. She’ll attend either Baylor or UT.
Coach Smith presented Leadership in Athletics Scholarships to Meron Fessahaie and Taylor Stell.
Meron is the District Champion in the 800 meter and 1600 meter races and recently traveled to Austin to compete in the prestigious Texas Relays. Meron is President of the Senior Class and is an active student volunteer. He’ll run track at Rice next year and study Bio-engineering.
Taylor Stell hasn’t found a sport yet he doesn’t enjoy, so he plays ‘em all. He was a dandy football player his freshman and sophomore years, but he shifted to focus on his true love – baseball. Then as a senior, he joined his buddies and tried out for the basketball team. By the end of the season, he was the 4th leading rebounder in all DFW 5A schools and the 15th leading scorer. He was named 1st Team All District and voted Newcomer of the Year. Taylor will play baseball for UT next year.
Wildcat Club Scholarships were awarded to Jaleen Broussard, Bridget O’Brien, Myisha Wells and Eyobe Tamene.
Jaleen Broussard was selected 1st Team All District in football playing Defensive Back for the Cats, boosting LH to the playoffs for their third straight year. Jaleen also played basketball and ran track at LH, and he worked after school at the LH rec center. He’s still deciding where to attend college.
Bridget O’Brien has served as Captain of both the girls’ basketball and softball teams at LH. “It doesn’t matter what the sport,” said Deah McCoy when presenting her Wildcat Scholarship. “When she’s not at a game to compete, she will be there to cheer her friends.”
Bridget has been 1st Team All District in softball and Honorable Mention in basketball. She’s the President of Aid for Refugees at LH and was awarded Character Counts by the Exchange Club. She’ll attend UT or UC Berkley.
Myisha Wells was named Defensive Player of the Year for the girls’ basketball team after serving as a core team member all four years at LH. She’s a member of AVID, NHS and other student groups and she works after school at UA theaters. She’ll study Fashion Marketing at UNT.
Eyobe Tamene is another multi-sport athlete, participating in soccer, football, track and cross country. He finished in the district’s top ten in cross country and qualified for regionals. He hopes to study Aerospace Engineering at OSU or Baylor.
Congratulations, Wildcats!
