Tuscola senior awarded 'Heart of a Champion'

Tyler Auffhammer, The Mountaineer, Waynesville, N.C.
·2 min read

Jun. 20—Anneke Lam, a senior at Tuscola High School, is one of 19 student-athletes selected as winners of the "Heart of a Champion" award for their outstanding sportsmanship, overcoming adversity and consistently going above and beyond expectations.

"It was an absolute honor to be recognized through this award," Lam said. "It was so kind of Andrew Johnson, my tennis coach, for nominating me for this award and I will forever be grateful for everything he has done for me, on and off the court."

Lam participated in three varsity sports — track and field, tennis and cross country — was a member of several clubs and was inducted into the National Honor Society.

Lam said having the "Heart of a Champion" means giving 110% at every practice, match, meet and game, being a supportive and trustworthy teammate, and holding herself to the highest standard of sportsmanship.

"It is also about being supportive of everyone's accomplishments, not just yours or your teammates, but those from other teams, counties and districts," she said.

The award is given out by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association's (NCHSAA) Student Services Division and is sponsored by N.C. Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company.

Each of the NCHSAA member schools nominated one male and one female student-athlete for the recognition.

"She capitalized on her positive energy by being a constant source of leadership, support and enthusiasm during each sport season," the NCHSAA press release said. "Anneke learned a sense of community from folks in her town, most importantly — aiding people around her. She creates that kind of supportive and enthusiastic community in all she does."

To qualify, students must have participated in at least one varsity sport or activity, including cheerleading, during the 2020-2021 school year, have not been ejected from any contest and must have demonstrated outstanding citizenship and sportsmanship during their high school careers.

The nominees filled out an application questionnaire, and then a school official, such as the principal or athletic director, also provided an evaluation.

"We are honored to join with Farm Bureau in recognizing this group of 19 student-athletes who have consistently demonstrated the values and traits that we want all student-athletes to learn through participation in our programs." said NCHSAA Commissioner Que Tucker. "Now, more than any other time, our society needs young people, like this group of award winners, who exhibit what it means to have the 'heart of a champion' and who are dedicated to excellence in all things."