Grimes makes history with scholar-athlete recognition
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By Dc. Tom Cuskey, Editor
Bishop Grimes Jr./Sr. High School wound down the academic year on a very high note; the school received New York State Scholar-Athlete School of Distinction status, something that’s never happened before in school history.
“75% of your roster has to be 90% or above” at a minimum for a team to qualify, explained Athletic Director Bob McKenney, an “incredibly hard” task to accomplish, he added. Last year, 19 of 20 Grimes varsity teams qualified. This year, all of them made the grade. Did coming so close last year add some impetus to this year’s effort?
“I was consciously aware of it,” school Principal Allyson Headd responded. “When I came here, we were a School of Excellence. He (McKenney) explained to me what that means in New York State.”
Excellence is awarded to schools that have 70% or more of their varsity teams qualify. Headd added that it’s a team effort off the field that raises the level to School of Distinction.
“A lot of this is truly a testament to our Office of Academic Affairs, to work one-on-one with our students in more of an academic way.” She added that it’s also “definitely a testament to our teachers because we have worked hard to kind of up our game, in that sense, the last couple of years, and the teachers have definitely risen to that occasion.”
Many of the student athletes are multisport participants and are also involved in activities like band and theater. “So, it really speaks to their ability to focus on schoolwork and appreciate that they’re a student here first, and know what the expectation is,” Headd said.
McKenney, who also teaches sports marketing and coaches boys basketball, observed that “we have quite a few on-staff coaches now, or each program has somebody on staff.” McKenney believes that helps make a big difference with the athletes and teams.
Another reason that art teacher and varsity volleyball coach Kayla Purcell cites as a reason for the success is the cooperation and communication among coaches, teachers, parents and the students themselves.
“We believe in proactive communication,” she stated. “You’re not waiting until you get the report card in December. They know in the second week, they’ll know all the way throughout what’s happening, and that helps us attack a situation in September as opposed to waiting.”
Peter Capponi teaches social studies, coaches varsity boys golf and serves as Spiritual Life Director at the school. He said recognition for effort during the year and at the annual year-end banquet helps to keep students engaged.
“I think we’ve promoted and made it very visible, when we’re doing our presentation, who the scholar athletes are so that the kids, the parents see that. They’re getting a nice award, it’s up on the screen, you can see their names. We’re just trying to make that an emphasis, and even more so moving forward.”
Jordan Vaught, in her role as academic adviser, plays an important part in the process. “We pay close attention to our players,” she explained. “We do a grade-pull every two weeks to make sure students are staying on track.” That applies to all students, not just the athletes. “We can check in with that student, make sure they stay on top of everything. We can touch base with their teachers, and connect with the student as well to see if there is any tutoring or other services they need.”
Vaught also coaches; she’s an assistant on the girls varsity basketball team. She’s also a Grimes alum, as are Headd and Capponi.
Grimes boasts a 100% graduation rate and 100% college acceptance for those moving on. “Every single one of our seniors is accepted to at least one college,” Headd pointed out. “It’s one thing to graduate; it’s another to know that you are accepted at a higher level. We make that a priority as well.”
It’s evident in listening to the comments of the teachers and administrators that there is a deep, positive culture and atmosphere being established at the school. Coach McKenney said, “This started when Ally (principal Headd) came on board, I think two and a half years ago. Each year more people get involved, more people buy in.” He also stressed that the student body gets with the program as well. “We had a phenomenal senior class in terms of leadership and great kids. And that helps, and they really set the standard high for the next few years for our school, which is fantastic.”
True to the culture, sights are set on continued improvement. As Principal Headd added, with emphasis, “Absolutely. There’s always room.”
