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Sam Moreno is the IESA Scholar Attitude Nominee
February 13, 2016
The IESA Scholar Attitude Award was started in 1999 to recognize the best student-athletes in the IESA. Yorkville Middle School has won the award for our IESA region three times out of the six years we have participated in the program so being nominated is quite an honor. In addition, a cross country athlete has been the school's nominee five times, including this year's nominee: Sam Moreno. In fact, all three of this year's finalists were cross country athletes with Matt Megazzini and Tyler Jensen being the other two finalists. Matt participated in cross country in seventh grade and Tyler was one of our team captains this season.
"The IESA Scholar Attitude Award recognizes the academic success, activity participation, and community involvement of the students in our member schools. The students who are honored as the IESA Scholar Attitude Award winners are among the best and brightest in Illinois. They are the young leaders in their school and community who dream to do great things as junior high school students and become the leaders in their high school years and beyond," said IESA Executive Director Steve Endsley. "Truly, every student who applies for the award is a winner and is an outstanding candidate. Unfortunately, only one student from each membership division will be chosen and recognized. In many cases, it is an honor to be the school's nominee."
Sam was not the cross country nominee for this award. While Sam was one of our finalists we ended up nominating Tyler Jensen. Sam was actually nominated by Coach Yattoni for Sam's two years in basketball. While we usually create our own write-up for a cross country IESA Scholar Attitude nominee, Coach Yattoni did a better job than we ever could (she does teach ELA). Here are the kind, but true words that Coach Yattoni had to say about Sam:
Samantha Moreno is the student athlete every teacher/coach/administrator hopes to have the privilege of leading. I have had that privilege both in the classroom and in athletics. Over the past two years Sam has loaded her schedule with advanced classes in ELA, Science, and Social Studies. The only reason why her GPA is not closer to 100% is because she had some darn teacher in 7th grade for Advanced ELA who makes her students produce work that many underclassmen at the high school level can’t produce. (That was me.) Not only does she work hard at her studies, but she also finds the time to participate in our acclaimed music program where she plays the flute. In band she is always eager to lend a hand to someone less skilled, is compassionate about her music, and always has a kind word for others. Sam's approach to her studies and learning has been nothing short of phenomenal on top of her extracurricular activities that make her a leader in the school and someone many of her peers admire.
Sam's first introduction to competitive sports was at YMS where she quickly became a four sport athlete in 7th grade (cross country, cheer, basketball, track) and a 3 sport athlete in 8th grade (cross country, basketball, track). She has worked hard in becoming an overall athlete in our program and can be counted on to perform as well as be that role model for her peers. She is a great asset. In her first season running with the Foxes track team she qualified for the state track meet in the 800m run and was a sectional runner for cross country this year. While at state this year for cross country she cheered her teammates on to victory. Moreover, out of school she manages to find time to train with the Aurora Fliers while "in season" all year long.
Because of her compassion for others less fortunate, Sam volunteers her time twice monthly at Feed My Starving Children as well as The Caring Hands Gift Shop. On a day where she could sleep in you will find her volunteering at St. Patrick’s church where she sets up "donut Sundays" so parishioners can enjoy some food and fellowship.
Sam gives 100% to her school, family and community. There is not a day that she is not going hard at it in all aspects of life. She is the embodiment of the spirit of hope and possibilities we have for our athletes at YMS.
Anonymous on February 16, 2016
Great job, Sam!
