Awards & Recognition

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Sarah Osmulski

Elmwood

Principal: Mr. Stan Matheny

"Been there, done that" easily could be the best way to describe the interscholastic adventures of Elmwood Junior High School 8th grader Sarah Osmulski, the 2008 Scholar Attitude Award winner from Board of Directors Division F.

In 7th grade she participated in cross-country, basketball, softball, track and field, scholastic bowl, Science Olympiad, band, jazz band and student council. In 8th grade she participated in cross-country, basketball, softball, track and field, scholastic bowl, Science Olympiad, band, jazz band and added volleyball. She was her school's geography bee champion and held a spot in the Honor Band. Throughout it all she has always been on the High Honor Roll.

It is only natural she rates her being able to be so involved and maintain her high academic success as the single feat she is most proud of thus far. "I try incredibly hard at a lot of things, especially academics," she wrote. "The fact that my hard work pays off is really nice to know. It is even nicer knowing that I tried to my full potential."

Throughout her athletic adventures, Sarah has observed the role of sportsmanship. Her opinion of it is that good sportsmanship is incredibly important in everything people do. "It helps to build certain characteristics only gained through competitive interaction," she wrote in her essay. "Honesty, fairness, and citizenship are attitudes developed in interscholastic activities. Children also learn to respect their coaches, teammates, and the officials through different sports. They learn that it isn't about winning or losing, it's just playing the game the best they can."

Given her frenetic involvement at school, has she had any time to ponder making one change in the world if she could? Writes Sarah: "I would want to bring countries together. If they could all just settle their conflicts the world would be such a better place. Countries being united could get rid of so many problems. If the world joins together we can fight war, global warming, hunger, and homelessness so much more effectively. Bringing people together is exactly what our world needs."

Sarah plans to go to college after she graduates from high school, but she is not sure of where nor what her major will be. She figures there is still time for her to "go there, do that".

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