U.S. Army and Pro Football Hall of Fame announce finalists for U.S. Army – Pro Football Hall of Fame – Award for Excellence

The U.S. Army and the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the ten high school athlete finalists for the U.S. Army – Pro Football Hall of Fame – Award for Excellence.  The program, announced by Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe at the 2012 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, highlights the achievements of student-athletes across the country.

 

The program which was open to all United States sophomore and junior level high school athletes focused on not only athletic achievement, but excellence in academics and community engagement.

“Athletes and Army Strong Soldiers possess a unique and similar set of strengths,” said John Myers, Director of Marketing U.S. Army Marketing and Research Group. “We are excited to partner with the Pro Football Hall of Fame and to recognize these outstanding student-athletes; athletes who excel in their area of sport and who also excel academically. The most important attribute is that they are upstanding members of their communities. We look forward to joining with the ten finalists in San Antonio in January and celebrating their achievements.”

The ten finalists for the Award for Excellence will be recognized with a formal ceremony at their school later this fall. Finalists include (in alphabetical order):

Peyton Aldridge, LaBrae High School, Leavittsburg, Ohio
Benjamin Carpenter, C.Leon King High School, Tampa, Florida
Robert Dixon, Big Beaver Falls Area High School, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania
Nicholas Goldsmith, St. Rita of Cascia High School, Chicago, Illinois
Andrew Henbest, Cassville High School, Cassville, Missouri
Brendon Jonassaint, Okeechobee High School, Okeechobee, Florida
Nathaniel Lowis, Sacred-Heart Griffin High School, Springfield, Illinois
Melissa Macon, East Bladen High School, Elizabethtown, North Carolina
Hunter Morrow, Central High School, Keller, Texas
Alexis Murry, Henry E. Lackey School, Indian Head, Maryland

Each of the 10 finalists will travel to the 2013 U.S. Army All-American Bowl and participate in various activities. The winner of the Award for Excellence will be announced during the Bowl’s formal Awards Dinner on Friday, Jan. 4, 2013.

"The Pro Football Hall of Fame is proud to continue its mission to educate and promote the excellence that comes with America's favorite game, football, and combine it with the U.S. Army's mission of excellence in school, community service and through athletics,” said George Veras, President and CEO, Pro Football Hall of Fame Enterprises. “We are excited to recognize these ten student-athletes for their outstanding achievements and hard work.”