MARENGO – Two Highland Middle School eighth-grade students won the Archie Griffin Sportsmanship award and were among 13 student-leaders honored by the National Federation of High Schools, the Ohio High School Athletic Association and Highland Middle School.

Zach Church, Riley Matthews, Cael Gilmore, Sierra Fitzpatrick, Ryan Young, Rhett Russell, Keegan Tackett, Micah McLeod, Kate Clements, Addison Mullins, MaKaylee Merckling, Mary Green and Leah Richards have been selected to receive sportsmanship and citizenship honors for their conduct as student-leaders during the 2021-2022 school year.

Church and Matthews received the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award. The award, named for two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin, is presented each year to a male student and a female student who have been outstanding in their efforts to promote sportsmanship, ethics and integrity in the school and community. 

Gilmore and Fitzpatrick received the National Federation of High School’s National Award of  Excellence. The award is presented to students who have exhibited qualities that embody good citizenship, good moral character and good sporting behavior and are positive role models for others. 

Young, Russell, Tackett, McLeod, Clements, Mullins, Merckling, Green and Richards received the HMS Scot Pride award. The award is aligned with the positive behavior expectations at Highland Middle School, and these students demonstrated in all areas behavior that was honorable, mindful and self-aware. 

The honorees were presented with their awards at the Highland Middle School talent show Friday, June 3. 

The National Federation of High Schools, the Ohio High School Athletic Association and Highland Middle School support good sportsmanship among the youth and adults in schools and workplaces.