A Tallulah Falls School senior student-athlete has been selected as a member of the 2018-19 class of Positive Athlete America.
Sydney Spivey of Demorest was honored by the organization for the Northeast Georgia Region. Positive Athlete America, started by former University of Georgia football player and Super Bowl XL MVP Hines Ward, awards scholarships to high school student-athletes based more on their character than their athletic performance.
The organization seeks to recognize athletes who have overcome difficult circumstances, given back to their schools and communities or manifest an infectiously positive attitude. Positive Athlete Georgia has to-date awarded more than $100,000 in college scholarships. Athletes or coaches are nominated by parents, coaches, teachers, administrators or fans.
The Positive Athlete America website lists seven characteristics of a positive athlete that are considered for inclusion: an optimistic attitude, encouragement, servant leadership, a heart for others, admitting mistakes, giving 100% effort and putting team first.
Spivey was nominated by TFS athletic director and coach Scott Neal.
“Sydney Spivey cares about the big picture; she sees the world beyond herself and seeks, with purpose, to make that world a better place for those people she can help,” Neal said. “ In track & field, she is a leader within our service component. Her heart for the displaced, the downtrodden, the negatively affected was evident when she coordinated the 2018 “Change for the Smokies,” an event for our team and others to bring in coins that would be given to those affected by the wildfires in the Gatlinburg and Sevier County area.”
According to Neal, Spivey is engaged with numerous and varied clubs and organizations on campus and is a strong academic student.
“She is known for her initiative with empathy, evidenced by her participation in multiple mission trips and volunteering through many organizations,” Neal said. “In fact, she has come to multiple home cross country meets this year, without being asked, and ended up fulfilling important roles with excellence.”
Neal is most familiar with Spivey as a member of the track & field team.
“Last season Sydney was one of five girls for four spots on the 4×4 relay team,” he said. “To each of those girls, being on that relay was the pinnacle and the essence of track & field because it involved others and not just their own personal glory. Sydney worked diligently, would give up a hurdle race if it was needed for the relay team to score more points, and did “the little things” like work additional block starts, do extra drills, etc. Again, it was satisfying as a coach to see someone whose commitment to the “we” both overshadowed personal goals and lit a fire for improved preparation. That 4×4 relay team ran their best time at the season meet.”
Positive Athlete America will announce statewide award winners in early May with awards event set for June 4 at the College Football Hall of Fame.
Photo courtesy of Tallulah Falls School
