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The WIAA is pleased to announce Pioneer Middle School’s Joe Dorey and Meridian Middle School’s Jessi Gaul as the March“Give Me 5” Star Students of the Month
Gaul is an eighth grader at Meridian Middle School in Kent, Wash. She is a four sport athlete, participating in basketball, soccer, volleyball and after completing her first half marathon, plans to run track in the spring.
Beyond sports, Gaul has stepped up as a leader in the school. She is part of “Web Crew” (a program that helps incoming elementary students adjust to the middle school life), leadership club, volunteer youth basketball coach, and an integral part of charity events such as the “Penny Drive” which helped raise money for leukemia.
Academically, Gaul has found a way to balance her activities and her school work. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA (while taking an accelerated schedule) and has been awarded the “Scholar Athlete Award” every quarter while at Meridian.
Head soccer coach Kathleen Lobdell spoke about Gaul’s positive impact on the team as well as the school.
“Jessi was an integral member the Meridian soccer team this year. She was reliable, consistent, a positive role model, and stepped up as a leader on the field. She recently won the Impact Player Award, which was voted on by her peers. Her teammates described her as someone who will always step up when the team needs someone and the player we could not do without.”
“Jessi Gaul is a true leader at Meridian and an example of what is good with interscholastic athletics.”
Dorey is an eighth grader at Pioneer Middle School in Wenatchee, Wash. He is a four sport athlete, participating in basketball, cross country, football and track & field.
Although not a member of any official school clubs, Dorey has made his helpful and positive presence known to Pioneer in other ways: volunteering countless hours in the gym through refereeing games, running the clock as well as working tickets and concessions. He has been donating his time to the Wenatchee AAU program for many years.
Outside of the gym, Dorey has also been devoting much time to his sister, whom is battling leukemia. He does this through trips to Seattle to visit her, or representing his family at “Sam Strong” events, in which all of the profits go towards his sister, Sam, and her medical bills.
Basketball coach and Athletic Director Scott Paine describes Dorey further.
“In spite of the challenges he and his family were facing with the illness of his sister, Joe never used that as an excuse. He always gave his best effort not only in games but also during practice.”
“Joe impacts our school by his positive approach to everything he does and the example he sets for his peers. His quiet leadership is seen throughout our classrooms, hallways, and athletic venues. As an “A” student Joe is a joy to have in class and an example to others. He is a student you can count on to do the “right” thing whether he is being watched or not. You couldn’t ask for a better teammate, dependable, hardworking, respectful, and encouraging young man.”
The students will be featured on the Activities Matter and the Middle Level websites. The monthly campaign is dedicated to highlighting two middle school students that demonstrate the core principles of the program: honor, sportsmanship, courage, respect, and citizenship. |