2004-2005
Scholarship Winners
SportQuest
Expedition Scholarship Winner: Kara
Grace McCormick
SportQuest,
the title sponsor of the SportQuest all-American Scholarship
program is pleased to announce Kara McCormick as the winner
of the 2004-2005 SportQuest Expedition Scholarship. Kara
maintains a 3.8 GPA and is a sophmore in high school. She
is currently participating in an "enrichment year"
in which she is homeschooled and is able to participate
in overseas missions and partake in additional educational
opportunities. Kara is a three sport athlete playing Basketball,
Soccer, and Tennis. She is an excellent basketball player,
earning all-conference honors two years in a row. She also
led her AAU basketball team to a Junior Nationals Championship,
shooting 9-for-9 from the three point line. In addition
to her athletic prowess, Kara has a heart for missions,
traveling to the Ukraine in 2004 to minister to orphans,
and participating in a Prison Fellowship ministry in her
local area. One of Kara's teachers writes, "I have
seen Kara grow in her trust in the Lord and excitement for
missions this past year." Kara will travel with SportQuest
as a member of our women's basketball team this summer.
Kara says, "Using something that is accepted worldwide,
like a sport, is an incredible way to connect with people
and create a platform of ministry. Personally, I love Jesus
Christ, I love kids, and I love sports. Incorporating all
three into a dynamic ministry provides a powerful opportunity
to advance God's Kingdom." When asked how this experience
will impact her life she said, "I have been on a mission
trip before, but not one that incorporated sports. This
would be a new experience for me because I would be discipling
kids using sports as a platform...this opportunity would
be life changing..." Kara will
receive a scholarship worth $2895 to travel with SportQuest
to Belgium.
Male
Winner:
Paul Kornfeld
Paul is a three-sport standout at Northeast Christian Academy
in Kingwood, TX, playing baseball, running Track and Field,
and swimming for the Warriors. Swimming is, however, where
Paul outshines the rest. He is a member of the U.S. National
Junior Team, a 3-time state champion in the 100 breaststroke
and 200 Individual Medley, and in 2004 he broke the men’s
15-16 national age-group record for the 200-yard breaststroke
by over a second—a record which had been on the books
for 23 years. He is also an incredible student—maintaining
a 4.0 unweighted GPA and taking many AP and honors courses.
Despite his busy schedule, he is very involved in his local
church, where he plays drums for the church worship band
and is involved in the student ministry. His campus pastor
writes about him, “I can think of no greater testimony
to your organization than the life of Paul Kornfeld. He
is a young man with startling athletic talent, but moreover
a Son of the Kingdom—unashamedly, madly in love with
our Father.” Keep an eye out for Paul at the 2008
Olympics! We are proud to name Paul Kornfeld as the 2005
SportQuest all-American Male Athlete of the Year! Paul will
receive a $1000 scholarship to the college or university
of his choice.
Female
Winner:
Jackie Pickel
For the first time, the all-American selection committee
has chosen a junior to be the recipient of our top award.
That’s just how much Jackie Pickel impressed us. Jackie
is an all-state Track and Field athlete and an all-state
cross-country runner. In addition, she is a 3-time all-district
and all-region basketball player, scoring over 1,300 points
in her 3-year career at Bradley Central High School in Cleveland,
Tennessee. And she still has one more year to excel at the
high school level! But Jackie’s accomplishments do
not end on the court or on the track—she is very involved
in her church’s youth group. She has been a camp counselor,
VBS leader, has attended youth mission trips, and she is
also a part of her school’s Fellowship of Christian
Athletes leadership team. Jackie is also dedicated to academic
excellence as she maintains a 3.85 GPA. Jackie is bold about
her faith on her athletic teams and in her school. She speaks
out against a deteriorating youth culture, encouraging teens
that answers can only be found in Jesus Christ and not in
sex, drugs, or alcohol. Her basketball coach says, “She
never fails to give God thanks for His glory, unafraid of
what others may think of her devotion to Him. She stands
up for what is right, even in the face of adversity and
even when she stands alone.” We are proud to name
Jackie Pickel as the 2005 SportQuest all-American Female
Athlete of the Year! Jackie will receive a $1000 scholarship
to the college or university of her choice.
Male
Runner-up: Jordan Henricks
Jordan,
while maintaining a 3.9 GPA, is an all-state baseball player
at Manhattan High School in Manhattan, Kansas. Jordan is
also a standout player on his football and basketball teams.
Jordan ended his football season as an all-League defensive
back on a state-qualifying team. Jordan met Jesus Christ
through his school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes
program, and over the past four years, he has become a leader
in the group. He is also involved in his church’s
youth program and participates in many volunteer activities
through his church and through FCA. His baseball coach says
of him, “In my twenty years of teaching and coaching
I have never met a young man with the integrity, honesty,
compassion, and skill that Jordan brings to the table each
day.” What does Jordan have to say? “My relationship
with Christ has given me a renewed confidence in myself
and in the abilities I have been given. I pray that God
will continue to use me every day.” We are proud to
name Jordan Henricks as the 2005 SportQuest all-American
Male Athlete of the Year Runner-Up! Jordan will receive
a $500 scholarship to the college or university of his choice.
Female
Runner-up: Jessica Feldhaus
While
earning a 3.9 GPA, Jessica is also a three sport athlete
at Bracken County High School in Brooksville, Kentucky.
Jessica is an all-American, all-state, and all-region cheerleader
on a squad that has been invited to participate in the Rose
Bowl and the Orange Bowl. She is also an all-district volleyball
player, and plans to attend University of Northern Kentucky
this fall on a softball scholarship. Jessica’s cheerleading
coach has this to say, “I have had the privilege of
coaching Jessica for the past four years. During that time
I have found more dedication from her than any student I
have come in contact with in twenty years of working at
school. She gives 100% to cheerleading, softball, volleyball,
academics, church, and her home life.” Jessica is
also a member of her school’s Fellowship of Christian
Athletes Executive Council, and is involved in her church’s
youth group. She is involved in numerous clubs at school,
including Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America,
and student council. Jessica’s contagious Christianity
has influenced others to make decisions to follow Christ
with their own lives. Jessica says, “I am bringing
others closer to God each day by showing them who I am and
what I believe in.” We are proud to name Jessica Feldhaus
as the 2005 SportQuest all-American Female Athlete of the
Year Runner-Up! Jessica will receive a $500 scholarship
to the college or university of her choice.
