EAST LANSING — Six student athletes from the Catholic High School League will be among 32 individuals receiving $2,000 college scholarships through the Michigan High School Athletic Association/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award program.
The scholarships will be awarded March 15 during the MHSAA boys basketball finals at the Breslin Student Events Center at Michigan State University.
Students applying for the awards must carry at least a 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average and have previously won a letter in a varsity sport, show active participation in other school and community activities and produce an essay on the importance of sportsmanship in educational athletics.
Farm Bureau has been presenting the awards for 36 years.
Madeline Day, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood — She has played two seasons of varsity volleyball, playing her fourth of varsity basketball and will play her third of varsity tennis this spring. She was a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist and AP Scholar with Distinction. Madeline served as veteran leader of the school’s Athletic Leadership Academy and is in her second year as president of the school’s Business and Gold Key clubs. She participated in service efforts locally and in Thailand. She will attend Harvard College and study computer science and sociology.
Essay quote: “Good sportsmanship, rooted in respect, empathy, and compassion, has become a guiding principle for me — offering a model for navigating both the court and the world beyond.”
Sophia Tang, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood — She played four seasons of varsity volleyball, is playing her third of varsity basketball and also played junior varsity soccer as a freshman. She competed a third year on the robotics team and reached the world championship division quarterfinals and state semifinals in 2024. Sophia founded and serves as president of U2H medical supply shipping nonprofit. She developed a physical therapy app as part of the General Motors Safety Department internship. She is undecided where she will attend college but intends to study molecular biology and biomedical engineering.
Essay quote: “Sportsmanship is driving a teammate to her first therapy session because her knee injury has become the hardest opponent she’s ever been up against, and because you were her two years ago.”
Nick Leiter, Detroit Catholic Central — He is playing a third season of varsity ice hockey and has helped the team to two straight Division 1 championships. He was named a National Merit Scholarship Commended Student. Nick participated with various community service organizations throughout high school, including this year the Oakland County Foster Closet clothing drive. He served as a tutor throughout high school. Nick will attend the University of Michigan and study business and accounting.
Essay quote: “Contrary to its name, sportsmanship isn’t confined to sports — it extends to every competitive aspect of life. Sportsmanship is a conscious, empathetic response to situations where people stand to gain or lose something. It’s not just about the winners or losers; it’s about how everyone involved conducts themselves.”
Hannah Lee, Ann Arbor Greenhills — She has played four seasons of varsity golf, helping the team to the MHSAA Finals all four years and posting top-13 individual finishes at the last two championship tournaments. She is participating in a fourth year in forensics and also her fourth year coaching the middle school team. Hannah is participating in a third year as part of the University of Michigan Youth Chamber Singers and also played two years as part of Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Civic Youth Ensembles. She earned the school’s notable research award for work with the University of Michigan’s Obstetrics & Gynecology department. Hannah is undecided where she will attend college but intends to study biology and psychology with potentially a minor in business.
Essay quote: “Sportsmanship in golf is about more than making the right call or showing respect in the moment; it’s about creating a lasting impact on the game, players, and community. It fosters an environment of mutual respect. Sportsmanship is a mindset, lasting far beyond the final putt.”
Eleana Zhuang, Ann Arbor Greenhills — She has played two years of varsity volleyball, two years of varsity basketball and will compete in a third of varsity track and field this spring. She was named AP Scholar with Honor. Eleana serves as a Pacific American Community leader. She earned National Community Service Ambassador Awards the last two years and a silver key in the Southeast Michigan & Thumb Scholastic Art Awards competition. She will attend the University of Michigan and study movement science in school of kinesiology.
Essay quote: “Our passion for sports drives us, but our compassion for each other makes educational athletics an unforgettable environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and supported. When we lead with compassion, we grow into individuals who uplift those around us, a lesson essential beyond sports. That’s what makes athletics unforgettable.”
Sarah Bradley, Clarkston Everest Collegiate — She played four seasons of varsity volleyball, is playing a fourth of varsity basketball and also played varsity softball as a sophomore. She led the volleyball team to a Division 4 championships the last two seasons. Sarah earned AP Scholar recognition and is ranked first in her graduating class with a 4.3 weighted grade-point average. She is serving a second year on student government, as vice president, and participating in a second year of National Honor Society. She will attend Calvin University and study nursing.
Essay quote: “To truly have this pivotal quality of sportsmanship, it is necessary to not only be a good winner but also a good loser. It is easy to congratulate the other team on playing well when the outcome is in your favor. However, it is much harder to look into the eyes of your opponent who just ended your season and tell them they played well.”
Contact Don Horkey at [email protected].
