Mission, a sports thermoregulation company, unveiled the winners of The M Awards, which recognize Athletes on a Mission – high school student-athletes who are role models in their communities through their service to others.
The M Awards include a Gold Award winner ($5,000 grant), Silver Award winner ($2,500 grant) and Bronze Award winner ($1,000 grant) who each receive a charitable grant made out to the community non-profit of their choice. Mission ambassadors including Serena Williams, Dwyane Wade, Drew Brees, Carli Lloyd, David Villa, Reggie Bush and others are involved in selecting The M Award recipients.
Keeley Scott, a 17-year-old high school senior lacrosse and tennis player from Garden City, NY, is the recipient of the Gold M Award. She chose to donate Mission’s $5,000 grant to The Andy Foundation, which is a high school program that helps organize fundraisers raise money for children’s charities. She is also very involved with Challenger Lacrosse, which is an organization that gives children with special needs an opportunity to play lacrosse.
She wants to spread her love of lacrosse to other children who do not have the opportunity to play it in their schools. Mission celebrated her as their Gold M Award winner during the NYCFC game held at Yankee Stadium on July 30, 2016. Mission Partner and NYCFC Captain David Villa presented her a check made out to The Andy Foundation.
Chase Harof, a high school football player from Alpharetta, GA, was the recipient of the Silver M Award and chose to donate Mission’s $2,500 grant to the Make a Wish Foundation. He feels the athletic side of high school sports is only half the journey and it takes a person of real courage and character to make a difference on and off the field. He is proud his donation will help give children with life threatening illnesses a once in a lifetime opportunity to fulfill their dream.
Matthew Wilson, a high school football player from New Site, AL, was the recipient of the Bronze M Award and chose to donate Mission’s $1,000 grant to the Alabama Branch of the International Dyslexia Association. The association is an international organization that promotes effective teaching approaches and intervention strategies for dyslexics. They are committed to educating others about dyslexia and researching ways to assist dyslexic students. Wilson’s younger brother is dyslexic and he awarding the grant to the organization in his honor.
“We received an overwhelming number of applications for this year’s M Awards and we are so excited to be honoring three very deserving winners who are truly Athletes on a Mission,” said Dave Cohen, VP global sports marketing for Mission.
Over the past few years, The M Awards has recognized high school student-athletes throughout the country. Student-athletes can apply using the online application on The M Awards website or be nominated by a friend, mentor, coach or teammate. The criteria for selection includes outstanding community service, demonstrated athletic leadership, commitment to healthy athletic performance and consistent academic performance. The M Awards are issued to varsity-level student-athletes currently enrolled in high school who maintain an average GPA of 2.5 or above.
The 2016 M Awards were promoted through partnerships with Go Big Recruiting, GoodXChange and Career Village.
