Chris Cannon posted on December 16, 2010 15:15
Rome, GA - Jared Van Curen of Coosa High School and Blaire Parlo of Calhoun High School were recognized as recipients of the Greene's Jewelers 2010 Champions of Character High School Athlete Award. The pair was selected from 22 nominees who represent 11 area high schools.
Rep. Katie Dempsey presented the award to Van Curen during the 2010 FCA/Chick-fil-A Champions of Character Breakfast held Thursday morning at the Forum. Parlo was unable to attend due to the wintry weather conditions.
The award, established by the Rome Host Committee for the Russell Athletic-NAIA Football National Championship and funded by Greene's Jewelers, follows the NAIA's tradition of highlighting outstanding athletes who demonstrate the characteristics of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.
Van Curen, this year's male recipient, is a senior football player. He holds a 4.0 GPA and is senior class president at Coosa. He is a graduate of West Point's Leaders Seminar and the U.S. Space Academy and ranked in the top one percent of the nation in the National Financial Literacy Challenge as a sophomore. He also won the Floyd County Academic Decathlon. His civic involvement includes working with the Coosa River Basin Initiative, the Junior Optimist Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has interned for Congressman Phil Gingrey.
Parlo, this year's female recipient, is a senior softball player at Calhoun who is a member of the National Honor Society and the Beta Club. She holds a 4.0 GPA and has given back to the community through her work with individuals of all ages and needs. She has volunteered with the Special Olympics, the Alzheimer's Walk, National Guard Babysitting, Relay for Life, Backpack Buddies, Project Christmas Child, and the Blood Drive.
Other nominees recognized during the ceremony were:
Adairsville High School: Allie Chastain and Ethan Abernathy; Armuchee High School: Alexandria Durall and Jake Nix; Calhoun High School: Ian Carmichael; Cedartown High School: Madeline Woodhouse and Zachery Chubb; Coosa High School: Melanie Mclean; Darlington School: Anna Swafford and Luke Cook; Model High School: Cason Dempsey and Zachery Pilcher; Pepperell High School: Elliza Casey and Dakota Ball; Rome High School: Erica Dostie and Taylor Williams; Sonoraville High School: Anna Potts and Alex Detlefsen; and
Woodland High School: Emily Clay and Ashton Shelton.
The 2010 NAIA championship game will be played Saturday, Dec. 18, at 4:30 p.m. at Barron Stadium in downtown Rome. The game will feature the two top-ranked teams in the NAIA: No. 1-ranked Sioux Falls and No. 2 Carroll, both of whom are undefeated in 2010. The game is a rematch of the 2007 and 2008 events, when Carroll won the first meeting and Sioux Falls exacted revenge in 2008. Sioux Falls comes into the 2010 championship with a 42-game winning streak.
Tickets for the Russell Athletic-NAIA Football National Championship Game are $25 each. To purchase tickets contact The Forum by calling (706) 291-5281 or (800) 858-7601.
For more information on the 2010 championship game, visit www.NAIANationalChampionship.com.