Sportsmanship

Back to 2009 Winners

Onsi Kamel

Springfield Christian

Principal:

Onsi Kamel of Springfield Christian is all about sports, academics, student government, and music. However, it's Onsi's public speaking skills that he is most proud of when considering his own accomplishments. He says receiving 2nd place in the Modern Woodmen of America Speech Contest for Illinois and Iowa gave him a lot of confidence about performing in public and staying calm under pressure.

He most admires his father for not just supporting him in everything he does, but being in his words "an amazing example" of how to treat a wife and children. That likely factors into his answer to the one thing in the world he'd like to change. Onsi says he'd change a society's thought pattern that being faithful to a spouse and family is too traditional and boring. He says a strong family helps nurture the kinds of qualities people need to be successful, such as mutual respect, discipline, and a positive attitude.

He plans to use his public speaking skills in the courtroom someday once he's had a chance to get a law degree.

Back to 2009 Winners