LHS Graduate Receives Outstanding Athletic Sportsmanship Scholarship

Practicing good sportsmanship both on and off the playing field has been instilled in most athletes since childhood. In this case, Katie Kennedy's above-and-beyond leadership has paid off. 

Kennedy, a 2011 graduate of Lindbergh High School and incoming student at Maryville University, has received a $2,500 award from the St. Louis Sports Commission's Young Professionals Group. The scholarship, which Kennedy will apply toward first-year tuition, recognizes outstanding sportsmanship in athletic competition and is presented annually to graduating high school seniors from the St. Louis metro area.

At Lindbergh, Kennedy was a member of the track and field team and captain of the varsity cheerleading squad. During her senior year, she broke the school’s pole vault record. Both her cheerleading and track coaches recognized her outstanding sportsmanship and encouraged her to apply for the scholarship.

Kennedy said that in playing sports, she gets the opportunity to meet new people and to be a part of the school.

“In cheerleading I was always in front of the school and represent Lindbergh and lead people to have school spirit and good sportsmanship,” she said. “Students and parents at the games sometimes got rowdy, but sometimes it wasn’t a good rowdy. I want to teach the younger girls good school spirit.”

In track, Kennedy realized that it was always good to encourage the competition because really she was always really competing against herself.

“I never felt competitive toward other people. I never felt I needed to be mean to other people. I want to get to know my competition and encourage the younger track athletes to encourage other athletes and wish them good luck,” Kennedy said.

Before all of the football games and basketball games, Kennedy and her cheerleading squad went over, talked to the opposing cheerleaders and wished them good luck. She even cooperated with the other team, letting them have the first cheer.

Kennedy’s coach described how at this year’s Kansas Relays Kennedy sat next to and comforted a competitor from Oklahoma who was distraught after missing her opening jump. Later, after Kennedy was eliminated from the competition, she helped calm a vaulter from Fort Zumwalt High School whose coach could not attend.  At the State qualifying meet, Kennedy noticed a top rival vaulter was about to be in violation of a uniform infraction. She informed the competitor of the mistake, saving her from disqualification.  

Kennedy is entering Maryville’s five-year master’s program in occupational therapy. She also will compete in indoor and outdoor track and field. 

In the third year of the Sportsmanship Scholarship, the associates received 40 nominations. The scholarship seeks candidates who exemplify the ideals and values of sportsmanship: honesty, integrity, selflessness, kindness, compassion and class. Athletic performance (wins and other statistics) is not a factor in the selection. Candidates were evaluated on their approach and character in competition. A subcommittee of the Sports Commission Associates formed the selection committee.