SEAHOLM: Six among MHSAA Scholar-Athlete finalists

LANSING — Seaholm High School was prominently represented when the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) announced the finalists for the 2024-2025 Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Awards. Of the 120 student athletes listed, a half dozen of them were Maples – more than any other school in the state.

Avery Allen (swimming), Ella Gifford (swimming, basketball, water polo), Grace Johnson-Sears (cross country, track and field), Selina Lin (cross country, track and field), Milan Patel (tennis) and Carson Wright (tennis, skiing, lacrosse) have been selected as finalists for this year’s award. Seaholm has a strong track record with this annual recognition, usually having 2-3 students reach this stage of the selection process.

This year, over 1,500 student-athletes from 431 high schools throughout Michigan applied for the scholarship, which was established during the 1989-1990 academic year.

To qualify for the award, student-athletes must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.50 on a 4.0 scale and have previously earned a varsity letter in at least one sport that is sanctioned by the MHSAA for postseason tournaments. Additionally, students are required to answer a series of short essay questions, submit two letters of recommendation and provide a 500-word essay discussing the significance of sportsmanship in educational athletics.

The 65-member committee will select the 32 scholarship recipients in early February. The announcement of the Class A scholarship winners – six female, six male – is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 18. Each finalist will have the opportunity to receive a $2,000 scholarship.