Friends or Family of Scholarship Nominees
can contact us for copies of pictures.
Contact Jim Walker: JamesWalkerHomes@gmail.com
Celebrating Sports Fellowship,
Spirit, and Community Pride
GCAC
2019 Scholarship
Recipients
Welcome to our GCAC
Gulf Shores High School Scholar
Athlete Nominees page.
Each of the following scholar athletes have been recognized and honoured at our Gulf Coast Athletic Club for their individual outstanding performance on the field or court and for their excellence in the classroom.
Each nominee will be entered into our scholarship pool, where our GCAC board of directors will review and vote for one outstanding male and female scholar athlete.
The nominees for 2018-2019 include:
(in order of most recent appearance at our GCAC Meetings)
2011-2012
Nominees
2012-2013
Nominees
2013-2014
Nominees
2014-2015
Nominees
The Gulf Coast Athletic Club
Is Proud To Announce Our
2018-2019--Scholar Athlete
$3,500 Scholarship Award Winners!
Kaily Werthem and Jake Lartigue
Kaily & Jake will both receive a $3,500 Scholarship Award.
The GCAC, through the continued hard work of their members and partnered sponsors, were able to maintain the scholarship award
at the highest amount in the clubs history.
Kaily & Jake were chosen from a distinguished list of Scholar Athletes from the Gulf Shores High School. We wish nothing but continued success in the futures of both our winners and all the Nominees.
G U L F C O A S T A T H L E T I C C L U B
The nominees for 2018-2019
Scholarship Awards include:
(listed in order of appearance at our GCAC Meetings)
2015-2016
Nominees
Jake Lartigue & Kaily Werthem
with Linda Martin & David Lee
2016-2017
Nominees
Nominees from our meeting of September 24th, 2018.
Megan Kirby and Jacob Knight
Megan Kirby Jamarcus Russell Jacob Knight
Esteemed members of the Gulf Coast Athletic Club:
My name is Megan Kirby and I am a senior at Gulf Shores High School. I would like to express my humble gratitude for your recognition as a scholar athlete.
Prior to my junior year, I attended school in Missouri, where I played volleyball, basketball, and swam for my high school. Unfortunately, I suffered a significant knee injury and had to “retire” from basketball.
Since moving to Gulf Shores, I have been a proud member of the Lady Dolphins Varsity Volleyball team. My hobbies include beach volleyball, swimming, playing guitar, piano, and singing. I am involved in several organizations including National Honors Society (historian), HOSA, International Club, Student Government Association, and Key Club.
This summer I represented Gulf Shores High School at Girls State in Tuscaloosa and was elected Editor in Chief of the Girls State Newspaper.
My professional goal is to become a physician. I have done extensive hospital volunteer work, where I learned about the medical field. I am currently undecided as to where I will attend college; however, I plan to apply for early acceptance at the UAB and University of South Alabama’s medical schools.
Thank you again for this opportunity.
Jacob Knight
I am a senior at Gulf Shores High School and currently I have a 4.0 weighted GPA and scored a 29 on the ACT. I have taken advanced placement courses along with being a three sport athlete during my high school experience.
While playing football I’ve had the privilege of being a three-year starter on both offense and defense; being named a captain; serving on the team leadership council and earned the highest GPA award my sophomore year.
I am very active in my church. I serve as a leader in the youth group and in children’s church each Sunday and Wednesday. I also participate on our Serve Team at church, where we do service projects to aide our community.
I also volunteer at the local elementary school each year helping teachers with projects and events. I created a mentoring program where positive role models from the High School serve as mentors to at risk youth at the elementary school. I also participate in the Football Buddy Reading Program in which football players from the high school read to students at the elementary school.
I would not be the person that I am today without the love and support of my parents, John and Jennifer Knight. As to who a role model has been for me, it would have to be Tim Tebow because he stays true to his convictions regardless of whether people find them popular or not. He is passionate about his faith and you can see that in the way he lives his life.
I would love to continue playing football while pursuing a degree in administration and ministry. My dream would be to play football and earn a degree from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida then pursue ministry and a position as a firefighter.
Jake Lartigue & Kaily Werthem with Linda Martin & David Lee
2017-2018
Nominees
Nominees from our meeting of October 22nd, 2018.
Kaily Werthem and Conrad Reetz
Kaily Werthem Conrad Reetz
My name is Kaily Werthem. I am deeply honored and grateful to be recognized by the Gulf Coast Athletics Club as a Scholar Athlete. First, I would like to thank those who have helped me become who I am. I would not be who I am today and would not have this opportunity without the love, time, support, and dedication of my parents, Carl & Judi Grant, the GSHS Coaching staff, Coach Akins, Coach Blake, Coach Reinhardt, Athletic Trainers Alisha Tolbert and David Elliot, and Principal Veazy.
I am a senior at Gulf Shores High School. During my 4 years at Gulf Shores High School I have maintained a 4.6 weighted GPA and have actively participated in three to four sports per year. In May I will graduate with full honors earning the Endorsement Diploma, which means I have taken the highest honors/AP classes available to me for all four years of high school. I began my career in high school athletics at the age of 12, in 7th grade, by running for the High School Track team and playing soccer for the High School Junior Varsity Team, eventually moving up to Varsity.
During my time attending Gulf Shores I have participated in four Sports. Cross Country - I qualified for State each time I participated in the 6A sectional qualifying meet and currently hold two school records Soccer - I held a starting position all three years of my high school career and was Captain of the team during my Junior year. Track & Field - I qualified to compete at State almost every season and placed in the top 20 in the state in two separate running events. Additionally, for the past two years I have been part of the Sports Medicine/Athletic Training team assisting our football players and coaches during the Football Season. Being part of the Sports Medicine team has helped me narrow down the path I would like to pursue for my future career.
In 2014 I was the first Gulf Shores High School student recognized by the Mobile Optimist Club by being recognized as the Cross Country “Runner of the Week” by the Mobile County club. Over the course of my High School Sports Career, I made “All County” for Cross Country, Track & Field, and in Soccer.
Aside from the time and attention I dedicate to academics and sports, I am very involved and regularly attend Liberty Church, and I participate in National Honors Society, Juniorettes, Senior Task Force, Leadership in FCA, Key Club, and Peer Helpers. I work with Elementary and Middle School aged children weekly and volunteer at the Elementary school assisting teachers weekly.
I am currently undecided as to where I will attend college; however, I would like to attend a 4 year University as I plan to pursue a career in Sports Medicine.
My name is Conrad Reetz, and it is my dream to attend the United States Air Force Academy and then serve in the Air Force as a commissioned officer. I run cross country at my school and I am actively involved in band, church, and my local scout troop. Two years ago I earned my Eagle Scout, and I have since earned three Eagle Palms. I am also a section leader over the low brass section in the Gulf Shores High School Band. My role models are simply anyone who is a great leader and makes a change in the world whether big or small. These people who chose to sacrifice their time and lives to aid the world inspire me. My uncle is a great example of this as a colonel in the United States Air Force. He has mentored me and helped me to follow my dream of attending the United States Air Force Academy.
Thanks,
Conrad Reetz
Nominees from our meeting of November 19, 2018.
Hays Graf and Domminick Monteleone
Hays Graf Domminick Monteleone
Hays Graf – Cheerleading
Rank in class 3
ACT 29
GPA 4.41
I have lived in Orange Beach for ten years, and have participated in the cheer programs of Gulf Shores Middle School, Gulf Shores High School, and Gulf Coast Tumbling for six years. Ever since I began, cheerleading has been one of my absolute favorite things to do, along with reading, singing, and spending time with my family.
I am constantly inspired by the word of God and by the wonderful people I have surrounded myself with that feed positive energy into my life. I love to give to others through volunteer opportunities, and I have learned to love to do these things from my amazing family.
After high school, I will be attending the University of Alabama, studying child psychology or child speech pathology.
I am extremely grateful for every opportunity that has been sent my way, and for Gulf Coast Athletic Club's generous acknowledgment of all the time and work I have put into my studies and my sport.
Domminick Monteleone – Soccer/Bowling
Rank in class 14
ACT 32
GPA 4.31
Nominees from our meeting of January 21st, 2019.
Ally Stevens & Jake Lartigue
Ally Stevens Jake Lartigue
My name is Ally Stevens. I moved to Gulf Shores when I was 3 years old and have lived here ever since. I began playing soccer in the fifth grade and instantly fell in love. Over the years, soccer has taught me how to be a coachable person, how to work well with others, and how to manage my time effectively. Even though I won’t be playing college-level soccer, I plan to play intramural soccer to take a break from studies and participate in something less intense.
I will be attending the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the fall to study nursing. I have already been accepted into their Dean’s Nursing Program, which is similar to Early Acceptance. They looked at my academic statistics and, based upon those, offered me a spot in the nursing school, beginning in my junior year of college.
Aside from sports, I am also involved in many school organizations, including National Honor Society (President), International Club (Secretary), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (Leadership Team, Fundraising Committee), Health Occupations Students of America, Peer Helpers, and Senior Task Force. I am also committed to my school work which shows through my 4.4 weighted GPA and ranking of 6th in my class of 212.
Finally, I am truly grateful for this opportunity to be named a Scholar Athlete by the Gulf Coast Athletic Club. I believe that I embody the characteristics your organization values and, because of this, would make a great representative of the Gulf Coast Athletic Club.
My name is Jake Lartigue and I would first like to say how grateful I am to be nominated for the GCAC scholarship.
I am an avid hunter, fisherman, and tennis player. I have also worked for my
family seafood business since I was sixteen. I was recently accepted to Auburn University and plan to major in business finance as well as obtaining my MBA after my four year degree. I am particularly aspiring to pursue a career in investment banking because the personal communication and research aspect of the job entices me; this is not to mention the opportunities to move up in the job through hard work which is something I value very dearly.
Highly successful individuals who have gained their successes through hard work as well as starting their lives off in adverse situations have inspired me. A few of these individuals include Dr. Phil, Oprah Winfrey, Steve Jobs, and my Dad. Throughout my life I have valued my education having made all A’s since I first started school, as I feel that education is vital in becoming successful. I explained earlier how hard work is a trait that I value, and an aspect of my life that helped me understand this concept is the sport I am so passionate about, tennis.
I began playing competitively at nine years old year around. My brother and I began travelling around the southeast to play in tournaments on the weekend while practicing five days during the week. In order to be able to compete in the highly competitive USTA, practicing all the time is almost mandatory. When I got to high school I realized that I needed to redirect my focus to my studies; however, I kept my passion alive by playing for my high school tennis team. The years I spent practicing everyday and going to official USTA tournaments have allowed me to help the Gulf Shores High School tennis team qualify for the 6A State Tennis Championship
three years in a row. I have won sectionals at my doubles and singles position three years in a row and have been All County those years as well. My sophomore year I placed second in singles and my junior year placed second in doubles at the 6A State Tennis Championship. Our team was awarded the Sportsmanship Award at the 6A State Championship my sophomore year. This award was voted on by all the coaches at the tournament.
Throughout this time I have not forgotten about my community as I have done volunteer work for the elderly, helped out at school sporting events, and tutored elementary school kids.
One last thing to note is that my job at my family business is an important part of my life as it has helped to instill even greater in me the aspect of hardwork and to help me truly understand the value of money.
