The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) recognized McKenzie School as one of a handful of Class 1A schools to receive the AHSAA Sportsmanship Award on July 23.

The recognition is awarded to schools throughout the state that complete the school year without any student athletes in any program receiving a violation of any kind.

This year marks the second instance of McKenzie School receiving the award, and McKenzie assistant principal Miles Brown said that it’s a testament to the strength of the entire McKenzie community.

“Winning this award means a lot to the character of student athletes that we have on this campus,” Brown said.  “They are committed to what they’re doing, but they play within the boundaries of the rules.

“It also says a lot about our coaches here at McKenzie, and they’re instilling a lot of character values within our student athletes.  And it goes back to our parents—we’ve got good parents in the McKenzie community.  So it’s a three-fold process here.”

Brown said that there were a number of factors that helped contribute to McKenzie’s recognition, but a clear reason was the community involvement—made possible through events such as the upcoming “Meet the Tigers” potluck dinner—that foster a positive environment for student athletes both on and off their respective arenas.

“You win it because you don’t have any violations, but it goes back to the type of community that we have,” Brown added.

“Our parents and fans really support our student athletes, but they expect them to hold themselves with class, and represent this school and those school colors to the highest degree possible.”