When youth today are often singled out for what they do wrong, say officials of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, it's nice to see so many students flourish due to the interdenominational ministry to young athletes.
The Greater Chattanooga/Southeast Tennessee chapter of the organization will hold its 47th annual Night of Champions on Monday at First Presbyterian Church.
At that time, the winner of its Christian high school athlete of the year scholarship and winners of its Gerry Stephens Influence Award, Jim Sattler Leadership Award, Legacy Builder Coaches Award and Church Partner of the Year Award will be announced.
"These are some of the most unbelievable kids," said Mary Beth Hood, an FCA board member who was a part of the selection committee for the second straight year. "It humbled me (to see) how God's brought them through such circumstances and what a passion for Jesus they have."
The Greater Chattanooga/Southeast Tennessee winner, who will be chosen from among 23 public and private high school seniors who are active in FCA, receives a $6,000 scholarship provided by the Maclellan Foundation.
Jay Fowler, director of the chapter, said it's "a cool thing" the Night of Champions has been around so long and that FCA itself is approaching its 50th anniversary in the area.
"It shows the impact of coaches and athletes," he said, "and what God has done through the lives (of those individuals) and the FCA in general."
Over and over, Ms. Hood said, this year's nominees in their written Christian testimony and in their personal interviews showed "how they are able to fight through temptation by being in the Word daily" and that the "people they hung out with held them accountable."
"These are kids truly seeking God and his ways," she said.
GREATER CHATTANOOGA/SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE CHAPTER CANDIDATES
* Brett Bartley, Sequatchie County -- Activities: Baseball, football, Beta Club, Best All-Around (senior superlative).
* Reesa Brown, Franklin County -- Activities: Football manager, basketball manager/trainer, Bible study teacher, yearbook staff.
* Megan Dannel, McMinn County -- Activities: Soccer, National Honor Society, J-Teens, Junior Miss, church youth council president.
* Christopher Deloney Jr., Howard School of Academics and Technology -- Football, basketball, Honor Roll.
* Lauren Griffin, Cleveland -- Basketball, cross country, track, golf, National Honor Society, Beta Club, Tennessee Scholar.
* Genny-Marie Haston, Grace Baptist Academy -- Cross country, National Honor Society, Beta Club, student government chaplain.
* Tim Hatch, Signal Mountain -- Cross country, valedictorian, National Honor Society, International Baccalaureate Thinker Award.
* Shelby Hill, Sale Creek -- Basketball, volleyball, salutatorian, class president, Beta Club, Student Council Executive Committee.
* Kirstie Jennings, Meigs County -- Basketball, softball, golf, Beta Club, Quill and Scroll, yearbook staff.
* Misty Lacey, Soddy-Daisy -- Bowling, FCCLA, On Point, Girl Scouts, yearbook staff, worship band singer.
* Bailey Lyness, Red Bank -- Volleyball, basketball, softball, Beta Club, student body president, Student Council, Homecoming court, Miss Red Bank court.
* Abigail Morgan, Girls Preparatory School -- Soccer, Young Life, Areopagus, junior English award, church dance/drama team.
* Kasey Myers, Grundy County -- Basketball, softball, salutatorian, Beta Club, National Honor Society, Pep Club.
* Amy Newport, Rhea County -- Cheerleading, track, basketball, Most School Spirit, Homecoming queen, Miss Rhea County High School.
* Zach Orrison, Silverdale Baptist Academy -- Track, cross country, Beta Club, Horizon Award, Rotary Youth Leadership Conference.
* Libby Peigen, Ooltewah -- Volleyball, Student Council, Most Athletic, State Leadership Convention, Junior Miss.
* DaJon Porter, Brainerd -- Basketball, track, cross country, National Honor Society, Upward Bound, YMCA youth leader.
* Ben Prater, Baylor -- Football, basketball, National Honor Society, Student Academic Council, Johnson Bryan Scholarship Award, peer tutor.
* Casey Reese, Central -- Softball, National Honor Society, Beta Club, Homecoming court, Senior Day court, Best All-Around (senior superlative).
* Luke Silvers, Polk County -- Basketball, golf, Most Talented (senior superlative), church bluegrass music group.
* Taylor Thompson, Walker Valley -- Wrestling, basketball, Beta Club, Circle of Champions, church choir.
* Tyler Vandergriff, Whitwell -- Football, basketball, golf, Beta Club, Interact Club, VICA Club, yearbook staff.
* Jennifer M. Youngblood -- Cheerleader, Beta Club, Student Council, FBLA, church youth choir.