Special Recognitions - Wednesday, July 1, 2009 12:12 - 0 Comments

The Jimmy Hitchcock Awards

The presentation of the Jimmy Hitchcock Awards each year in Montgomery is a highlight at the end of the school year. Three of our lawyers, Mike Crow, John Tomlinson, and Navan Ward, had the pleasure of serving on the Jimmy Hitchcock Award selection committee this year. The purpose of the Jimmy Hitchcock Award is to recognize outstanding high school senior athletes in Montgomery County, who by their actions have consistently represented the highest ideals of Christian leadership in athletics. These student athletes are nominated by their coaches and the administrators of their respective schools. There are both male and female winners each year.

This year, our three lawyers were charged with the responsibility of learning about Laura Johnson, a swimming and cross country star at Loveless Academic Magnet Program (LAMP) High School. They discovered a remarkable young woman who provides a great example of leadership, character, sportsmanship, commitment, and hard work on the athletic field as well as in the classroom. Laura is also a tremendous Christian role model for her peers and for the community.

This year the Jimmy Hitchcock committee recognized Laura as its female recipient. Laura was a four-year swim team captain, a two-time National YMCA swim champion, a five-time Alabama State High School swim champion, an Alabama State High School record holder in the 200 individual medley, and was the fifth-ranked 17-year old in the nation in the 100 and 200 breaststroke. Laura was also a four-time state cross country qualifier. Laura regularly attends Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church where she participates in youth choir, group Bible study, teaches vacation Bible school, and is a youth group volunteer for various church ministries and other Christian organization activities. She has volunteered to go on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic this summer. Laura is also an outstanding student at LAMP High School where she has maintained a 4.12 GPA. Laura was awarded both swimming and academic scholarships to Auburn University where she will attend college this fall.

Roscoe Anderson, a student at Montgomery Catholic High School, was the male recipient of the Jimmy Hitchcock Award this year. Roscoe is the son of my friend, Charlie Anderson, who was also a Hitchcock Award winner along with Roscoe’s uncle James Anderson. Roscoe was a starting guard, long snapper and game captain for the varsity football team and a starting outfielder for the varsity baseball team. Roscoe regularly attends Church of the Holy Spirit where he participates in numerous activities and charitable work, including the Church Life Teen Youth Group and the Archdiocesan Catholic Youth Conference.

Roscoe also served as the Coordinator for Catholic Community Service Project. At Montgomery Catholic, Roscoe displayed great leadership as Class President, School Ambassador, School Peer Leader, and as a member of several other school organizations and activities while maintaining a 3.98 GPA. Roscoe also participated in the YMCA Youth Legislature, Youth in City Government, Youth Judicial mock trial competition, and Conference on National Affairs. He received full academic scholarships to Alabama, Auburn, and St. John’s University. Roscoe will attend college at Notre Dame where he has been accepted.

There are always many outstanding young people nominated for this award and in reality, they are all winners. I am glad that the Jimmy Hitchcock Committee finds time to recognize outstanding Christian students in Montgomery County. The two young people mentioned above are worthy recipients this year and we are very proud of them. It’s good to be able to report good things about good people, and Laura and Roscoe are to be commended for their past accomplishments. May God continue to bless them.