Each year the Vermont State Athletic Directors Association (VSADA), in coordination with the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA), awards ten scholarships to senior student-athletes in Vermont. These scholarships “recognize the distinguished scholastic, leadership, and sportsmanship attributes of high school student-athletes, and the importance of high school athletics in each student’s life” (NIAAA, 2021).
BFA Fairfax senior Peyton Metruk was not only recognized as one of the ten recipients of this year’s scholarship, but was also designated by the selection committee as the top female recipient for the State of Vermont. She received her award at the annual scholarship banquet on Monday, November 13 at the Doubletree Burlington Hotel and Conference Center. The scholarship banquet is a highlight event of the VSADA Athletic Leadership Conference, at which four of BFA Fairfax’s own student-athlete leaders were in attendance. Peyton’s application will now be forwarded to the regional selection committee for consideration.
In addition to her academic accolades and athletic talents, Peyton stood out among the recipients with her unmatched level of service to both her school and the greater community through youth coaching, serving as a student School Board representative and Class President, being BFA Fairfax’s first-ever attendee at the National Federation of High Schools Student Leadership Summit in Indianapolis, as well as our school’s first appointee to the Vermont Principals Association’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council.
As part of the scholarship application process, Peyton was required to submit an essay on the impact of high school athletics on her life. In her essay, she shared:
“Each of my sports has taught me skills that are vital to being a leader in my school and community, including perseverance, communication, and the value of positivity. Having participated in high school athletics has also opened up so many opportunities for me, including being able to attend multiple athletic leadership conferences, and conferences with student leaders from around the globe.”
BFA Fairfax is extremely proud of Peyton, and we congratulate her on this well-deserved award and honor. We also wish her the best of luck as she moves on to the regional competition. Most importantly, we are excited to see the numerous successes she will undoubtedly experience in the future. Congratulations!
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Geri-Witalec-Krupa
BFA Fairfax Director of Student Activities