Students/Athletes of the Week

5/12/2004

Cody Shoemaker, a senior from Sylvania, plans to attend a four-year university and study pre-medicine. He plans to attend medical school and ultimately become an orthopedic surgeon or a dermatologist. He enjoys math and has a 4.3 grade-point average.

Cody is a member of the 2003-2004 first-team all-NLL basketball team, received an honorable mention all-NLL in football and basketball, and honorable mention all-district in basketball. He is on the all-Ohio academic team and is recipient of the outstanding achievement award in German from the Lucas County Educational Service Center. Cody is a Drug Abuse Resistance Education spokesman, interfaith blood drive volunteer, and elementary basketball coach.

"Cody is an outstanding student-athlete," said teacher Melissa Archibald. "He excels in the classroom and participates in numerous clubs and activities. Cody truly cares about his school, peers, and community."

He is the son of Dennis and Mary Beth Shoemaker.

Megan Sopko, a senior from Toledo, plans to attend Ohio State University and major in biology. She also plans to be part of the Allied Health Scholars Program. She hopes to go on to medical school and pursue a career as a pediatric cardiologist. Her favorite subjects are advanced placement biology and advanced placement calculus.

Megan has participated in junior varsity softball and yearbook, has been a writing lab tutor, math lab tutor, Eucharistic minister, tour guide, senior mentor, and a member of the National Honor Society. She volunteers at Toledo Hospital in the pediatric emergency room.

"Megan is a well-rounded student who excels both in and out of the classroom," said teacher Tim Mahoney. "Her dedication to her academics is matched with her desire to help others through the many different activities in which she volunteers her time and talents."

Megan is the daughter of John and Darlene Sopko.

Seth Holan, a senior from Toledo, was the Northern Lakes League champion in the 110-meter hurdles as a sophomore and junior. He took the NLL championship in the 300-meter hurdles, was named most valuable player on the track team, and was regional finalist in the 100-meter hurdles as a junior.

He holds the school record in the 100-meter and 300-meter hurdles and the 4 x 400-meter relay. This year Seth received a district honorable mention in football.

Seth plans to attend Ohio State University to major in secondary education while running on the track team. His favorite subject is math, and he has 3.3 grade-point average.

Seth is a Stay Tobacco-Free Athlete Mentor program mentor and is involved in Young Life.

"Seth is the type of athlete that makes any coach's job easier," said Jim Lopez, Anthony Wayne track coach. "He has never quit on himself, making every effort to find himself on top of his game."

Seth is the son of Paul and Arlene Holan.

Jordan Szymanowski, a senior from Swanton, has received a football league honorable mention three times and was named most valuable player on the track team. He is a scholar-athlete, recipient of the teachers' award, and on the honor roll.

Jordan participates in football, basketball, wrestling, baseball, and track, and is a member of the yearbook staff and student council. He enjoys English, Western Civilization, anatomy, and physiology and has a 3.1 grade-point average.

Jordan plans to attend the University of Toledo and major in automotive engineering.

"Jordan is a tremendous young man who has overcome several things this year to have an outstanding senior season," said teacher-coach Steve Brahmer. "He is an extremely hard worker who is very coachable and also has strong leadership skills. He has already added four feet to his shot put this season, and we look for big things from him at the league meet."

Jordan is the son of Chris and Tammy Szymanowski.

Derek Zenk, a senior from Oregon, is the recipient of the GLL honorable mention as a sophomore and second-team all-GLL as a junior in basketball.

He is ranked in the top 10 percent of his class, has been on the honor roll for four years, and achieved a 4.0 grade-point average for the third quarter this year. He took first place at the DECA I-A sports marketing competition and the district E-Commerce competition, ranking him 11th in the state.

Derek plans to attend Bowling Green State University or Kent State University and major in marketing. His favorite subjects include marketing and economics, and he has a 3.5 grade-point average. He is a member of Key Club and volunteer for the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

"Derek is an excellent young man," said head baseball coach Karl Knierim. "He works very hard academically and athletically, and it has paid off. He gets along very well with others and has a bright future ahead of him."

Derek is the son of John and Sandy Zenk.

Rachel Horner, a senior from Ida, was on the girls' track qualifying team in the 800 relay, second-team all-league in volleyball, and the all-region volleyball team, and she received her "master of sports" for her participation in varsity basketball, volleyball, and track.

She is a scholar-athlete and recipient of the LCAA student-athlete excellence award. She will graduate thirteenth in her class.

She plans to attend community college to earn her associate's degree and transfer to a four-year college to pursue a teaching degree. Her favorite subjects include English and social studies, and she has a 3.6 grade-point average.

"Rachel is a student-athlete I hold in the highest esteem," said business education teacher Brian Cousino. "In my 31 years of teaching, I respect her as much as any of my top students. She is a quality Christian girl."

Rachel is the daughter of Larry and Denise Horner.

Ameen Mohammed Jamali, a senior from Lambertville, plans to study biomedical engineering at the University of Michigan and go to medical school. His favorite subjects are math and biology, and he has a 4.3 grade-point average.

Ameen is recipient of the Michigan merit award, four-year member of the Collegium Honorum, and will be graduating summa cum laude.

He is a third-degree brown belt in Shotokan Karate and is working toward his black belt he hopes to receive in six months. He is a member of the St. Francis literary magazine, newspaper, and yearbook staffs and participates in quiz bowl.

Ameen volunteers at the Medical College of Ohio as a dietary aide and is former secretary and active member of the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo Youth Club.

"Ameen is an academically gifted young man," said college counselor Ray Maj. "He has traveled extensively through European countries, embraced the various cultures, and appreciated the historical contributions of each. Colleges deserve a young man who believes that one never stops learning!"

Ameen is the son of Monsin and Farida Jamali.

Bethany McGraw, a sophomore from Perrysburg, achieved third-team all-state in soccer, is ranked fourth in the state in the long jump, was named most-valuable player in soccer and track, and performed her season's best long jump, 18-feet, 5-inches, in indoor track.

Bethany is on the high school merit roll. She enjoys honors geometry, honors English, and choir and has a 4.2 grade-point average.

Bethany is a member of the youth group worship team and choir; enjoys doing volunteer community service, and plans a mission trip to West Virginia this summer. She plans to major in architecture when she attends college and continue to run track.

"It is really a joy and privilege to have Bethany in class and to work with her in track," said assistant track coach and Bible teacher Dave Thompson. "She is an exemplary student, a top athlete with a strong work ethic, and a beautiful Christian young woman. Her willingness to be friends with other teams' athletes sets her apart."

Bethany is the daughter of Brent and Rhonda McGraw.