Westminster Introduces New Senior Ten Pillars Award

Westminster Christian Academy instituted a new award for senior athletes this year to honor the importance of the athletic program’s guiding principles, the Ten Pillars. Each year, the Senior Ten Pillars Award will be given to one senior female athlete and one senior male athlete to recognize each awardee for his or her embodiment of the Ten Pillars of Westminster athletics.

This year, seniors Connor Dolan and MaryKate Kopsky were selected to receive the 2017 award. Dolan and Kopsky received multiple nominations from the head coaching staff at Westminster. In addition, they met other criteria required for nomination for the award, including competing as multi-sport athletes with a minimum of two athletic seasons annually; both students demonstrated a fruitful relationship with Jesus Christ and spiritual leadership among their peers and teammates; and they displayed hardwork in the classroom with high GPAs and academically rigorous course loads.

“We are proud to honor MaryKate and Connor with the new Senior Ten Pillars Award,” says Interim Athletic Director Lindsay Carlile. “They have set the bar for our athletic department with their excellent leadership and character as they honored Jesus Christ through athletics.”

Dolan and Kopsky will be honored with a photo commemorating their achievement hung on the wall outside the school’s athletic department. Their names will also appear on a plaque to recognize the winners of each year’s award.

The Ten Pillars of Westminster Athletics

1. Honor Jesus Christ in all things: He is the most important measure of our success.
2. Christian character defines who we are: God-honoring behavior, good sportsmanship, and abstaining from drugs, alcohol, and tobacco is required.
3. Good grades and conduct lead the way: successful athletes must be successful students.
4. “We before me.” What is best for the team always comes first.
5. We will run the race to win: competing at the highest possible level is the goal.
6. We are in this together: student athletes, coaches, and parents are all on the same page.
7. Commitments are paramount: showing up and honoring your word is the norm.
8. We will grow and improve in and out of season: getting better demands hard work.
9. Supporting other players and teams is expected: we all share Wildcat pride.
10. Positive attitudes will influence outcomes: passion, enthusiasm, and energy will drive us.