Student Athletes Recognized at MAC Banquet

The Midwestern Athletic Conference held it’s 58th annual student athlete recognition banquet Wednesday night at the Fez in Hopewell.

Each year the MAC honors one boy and one girl from each school district in the conference for displaying excellence on the field, court, classroom and community. This years recipients are Allie McKelvey and Nick Ioanilli from Lincoln High School and Morgan Bailey and Jason Dambach from Riverside.

This year’s program, which included a Gala Buffet, was enjoyed by the students, family members, coaches and school representative from each district. After dinner the students were announced by on-air personality Chris Shovlin of WISH 99.7 FM radio. Each athlete was asked several questions by Shovlin ranging from politics to their future goals and what colleges they are planning to attend.

After the award ceremony, John Rosa, athletic director for the Freedom School District, presented the John Challis Courage Award for overcoming physical or mental hardships and showing incredible courage needed to be active in the sporting community.

This year’s award went to Hunter Giles of Freedom High School. After a brief video and a speech from Giles, the evening closed with words of inspiration and encouragement to the students from Shovlin and appreciation to all who support the students and schools in the conference.