Just days after wrapping up their standout high school careers, both in the classroom and on the field, 21 exceptional seniors were recognized Tuesday at Fenway Park during the 39th Globe Foundation/Richard J. Phelps Scholar-Athlete award ceremony. The program honors 18 seniors from seven MIAA districts, the city of Boston, and Eastern Massachusetts prep schools, recognizing excellence in sports, academics, and community service. Each honoree receives a $4,000 scholarship toward their college tuition. The Globe launched the scholar-athlete program in 1987. Phelps, a Watertown native, Phillips Andover graduate (class of ‘45) and longtime businessman and philanthropist, has supported the program since 1991. Speaking to the honorees and their families, Phelps, 96, emphasized the dedication and sacrifice required of both the athletes and their support system to reach the pinnacle of athletics and academics. “There are approximately 10,000 student athletes who compete in high school sports in the Greater Boston area every year. You are the exceptional ones who are being honored today,” Phelps said. “My high praise and admiration for you and for your accomplishments. And I also would like to express a word of praise for your parents, who have been so supportive of you all these years.” Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy, noting the ceremony is one of his favorite days of the year, reflected on his own playing days at Groton High and encouraged the students to savor the moment. “My love of high school sports, it never goes away,” Shaughnessy said. “You guys are the best of the best, and congratulations to your parents for getting you here. If it’s not the best time of your life, it’s close. You’ll have more fun and more great things ahead, but this is really special.” In addition to the scholar-athlete awards, Sid Tildsley (Shawsheen) and Kerri Finneran (Central Catholic) were recognized as the Will McDonough/MIAA Athletes of the Year for their multi-sport achievements. Tildsley became the fourth wrestler to capture four state titles and three New England championships. On the gridiron, he was a three-time All-Scholastic who quarterbacked Shawsheen to a 13-0 season and a Division 5 Super Bowl title as a senior. He will wrestle at Harvard. Finneran, a Globe All-Scholastic and league MVP in field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse, set program records for goals and assists in field hockey and finished third in state history with 427 career points in lacrosse. The Richard J. Phelps/NEPSAC Athlete of the Year honors were awarded to Noah Abdur Rahim (Roxbury Latin) and Emily Mara (Phillips Andover). Abdur Rahim was a two-time All-ISL and All-NEPSAC selection in indoor/outdoor track, broke the school’s 21-year record in the 400 meters, and also captained the football team, earning ISL honorable mention as a running back and safety. He will play football at Colby. Mara was a three-time All-NEPSAC selection and an All-American in soccer, notching 19 goals and 15 assists as a senior. She was also a standout in ice hockey, posting 22 goals and 22 assists her senior season. She will play soccer and ice hockey at Boston College. Larry Anderson, who recently retired after 30 years and 441 victories as the men’s basketball coach at MIT, addressed the attendees. He praised the students’ athletic talents, but also focused on the importance of embracing failure and struggle — drawing from his own experiences playing junior varsity football. “I think about the many times we get knocked down and we fall down,” Anderson said. “Taking a championship approach, what we need to do is just get back up one more time than the other guy.” Anderson said he was most encouraged by the drive of the scholarship recipients. “For us old folks here, we’re sorry we’re leaving the world in the place that it’s in right now,” Anderson said. “But being here, I’m inspired and have confidence. We got have some good people to turn things around and make us proud.”
CONTINUE READING
