Sportsmanship

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Alayna Filipiak

Peoria Academy

Principal: Mr. Jay Riven

For her exceptional academic performance and leadership in interscholastic activities, Alayna Filipiak is awarded the Scholar Attitude Award for Board of Directors Division F.

Alayna participates in many activities, including track and field, volleyball, Builder's Club, cross country, Scholastic Bowl, chief editor of the yearbook, piano and one of her greatest passions, basketball. In fact, Alayna's proudest achievement is helping her basketball team win her school's first-ever state championship in 2019. Alayna believes sports is one of the best things in which a child can participate. "I've learned how to be a leader and how to work with others," she says of her participation in interscholastic activities. "I have learned that hard work is rewarded and the best thing I can do is to keep trying as hard as I can." Alayna says she is busy all year with sports but says she has learned effective time management skills in order to be successful in school and her activities and still make time for family and friends.

She says respecting teammates and coaches is one of the most essential aspects of good sportsmanship. "It is important to remember that your coaches are sacrificing time with their families, sometimes without pay, to help you grow as a person," she says. "The least you can do as a student athlete is show them the respect they deserve."

After high school Alayna plans to attend college. She's interested in studying law. "I have always wanted to help people," she says.

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