January 2024 - GMSD is excited to announce the first nominations for Athlete of the Month for 2024! Athlete of the Month is presented by Alisha Dumas with State Farm. These January nominations are based on athletic work ethic, attitude, and sportsmanship, but these student athletes are just that - students first, athletes second. They must have good academic standing, maintain a good attendance record, and have a positive outlook towards their education and their community. Receiving a nomination is an honor in itself!
Each month the community will get to vote on which athlete they would like to see become the GMSD Athlete of the Month. There is a High School category and a Middle School category. Voting for these categories will be kept separate, so each month there will be an Athlete of the Month from the High School and the Middle School. The winners will be announced towards the end of each month.
Here are the January High School nominees:
Mia Avery - Senior, Pom
Mia was the captain for her 8th grade team that went on to win Nationals, and her successful career has continued to flourish. She is currently the co-captain for the HHS pom team, and they have consistently placed in the top 10 at Nationals. Mia has been dancing for 15 years. She has been on Pom teams for 6 years and has been a competitive studio dancer as well. Mia is known as a loving and caring teammate. She makes it a point to have a relationship with each and every one of her teammates. She strives to always be her best, and she gives 100% effort.
Kylan Clark - Senior, Basketball
Kylan Clark was one of only two freshmen who were a part of the 2021 HHS State Championship basketball team. He has been named to multiple All Tournament Teams and has received several MVP awards throughout his career. This season Kylan is averaging 17 points per game, 7 rebounds, and has displayed his dunk skills with over 15 dunks so far this season. Kylan has been with the HHS program all four years, and he takes that responsibility very seriously. He chooses to lead by example and helps to create a good environment for all of his teammates. Kylan has hopes to pursue basketball at the next level, but he is a very well rounded Mustang with other talents in cooking, art, and fashion design.
Lindsey Neas - Senior, Swim
Lindsey has been swimming competitively for 7 years. She swims year round for the Memphis Thunder, but she is most proud of being a Houston Mustang. She was a big part of the HHS County victories the last two years. Freestyle and backstroke are Lindsey’s favorite and strongest strokes, and at her last meet, she set a personal record in the 100 backstroke. Lindsey is known as a hard worker, and she is consistently pushing herself and her teammates to pursue their very best. She also strives for excellence in the classroom and in her second sport of lacrosse. Most recently she was honored to be voted team captain by her teammates.
Natalie Page - Senior, Pom
Natalie has been a part of the GMSD pom program since the 6th grade. She was a captain during her 8th grade year and helped lead that team to their title of National Champions. In her high school career, the pom squad has continued to excel, making it into the top 10 in the Nation each year. Natalie is also a two time UDA All American athlete. She is extremely driven and knows the importance of being there for her teammates. As the captain this year, she actively supports her teammates both on and off the floor. Natalie hopes to continue her dance career post high school, and she is always working hard in the classroom as well as on the floor to land new tricks.
Mckenzie Percoski- Junior, Basketball
Mckenzie has had an incredible career as a Houston Mustang. During her sophomore year, she won the Commercial Appeal Player of the week, and she was a leader in rebounds per game for our district, a stat that she is on track to continue this year. Mckenzie is a team leader and is always working to ensure that every team member feels included. She is an encouraging leader, and celebrates their accomplishments every chance she can. Mckenzie is very self-motivated and strives for her very best both on and off the court. She prioritizes her academics, and has maintained straight A’s throughout her high school career. She is also a dedicated member of the Honors Academy at Houston.
Lucy Uh - Senior, Swim
Lucy has been swimming for more than 10 years. She swims in the senior group of the Gators swim team, and she is a proud Houston Mustang. She is constantly working to achieve new personal bests, and in the 22-23 season, she qualified for the school state meet. Lucy is a very loving and supportive teammate, both in and out of the pool. Her time on the swim team has cultivated strong friendships. For her Gators swim team, Lucy and some of her teammates create newsletters to provide information and support to the team. She is very passionate about promoting the importance of both physical and mental health, and she works with a positive and productive mindset in every goal she sets to achieve. Her determination to accomplish these goals remains unwavering, even if it takes a lot of time and commitment.
Here are the January Middle School nominees:
Duke Gunn - 8th Grade, Riverdale, Basketball
Duke Gunn has made the Midsouth Allstar team four times in a row, and he continues to work hard at his craft to be an all around great basketball player for the Raiders. Duke is known for encouraging his teammates to push themselves, and he is always building them up through positive words. Duke is very driven, and he strives to excel in both his academics and athletics pursuits.
Molly Massey - 7th Grade, Houston Middle School, Pom
Pom is Molly’s first school sport to participate in, and she is already known as an incredibly supportive teammate. She always works to build up the morale of the team, and she strives to improve every chance she can. She is a very focused student, and she works her hardest in the classroom and on the dance floor. Molly has been a part of the GMSD family since 5th grade at Farmington Elementary.
Hannah Novarese - 7th Grade, Houston Middle School, Basketball
Hannah has helped lead the team to a 21-2 record. This is her second year being a varsity starter, and she is the team’s leading scorer. During a strong 6 games district stretch, she scored a total of 89 points, including two games with 6 three-pointers. Hannah is also known as a great team player and an encouraging leader. She is always able to brighten spirits with her witty sense of humor, and she leads by example. She works hard to do her best both on the court and in the classroom. Her basketball career started in the first grade, and she truly loves the game.
Tatum Okleshen - 8th Grade, Houston Middle School, Pom
In October 2023, Tatum was a part of the HMS Pom team that was recognized as the Junior High Hip Hop Regional Champions. She is always pushing herself to be the best athlete she can be, pursuing additional practice time and workouts. Her enthusiasm for the sport is contagious, and she is often encouraging her teammates to pursue their best as well. She loves being a part of a team, and it has helped her to grow as a person as well. She works to balance her academics and her athletics, and she has gained many skills in time management and sportsmanship.
Jared Redmond - 8th Grade, Houston Middle School, Basketball
Jared is proud to be a part of the HMS basketball team, especially as they have a winning record this season. He is happy to be a part of a team, and he loves being able to work together with his teammates to achieve success. Jared is a very driven and well rounded student athlete. He always strives to be the best person he can be. He is known for lending a helping hand, being a straight A student, and an active band member. Jared is a trombone player for the HMS Band, and he was selected as a member of the All-West Tennessee Honor band. He is also a member of the National Junior Honor Society.
Lucy Underwood - 8th Grade, Riverdale, Basketball
Lucy led the Raiders to their first 2 victories of the season. With 14 points and 7 steals against Appling and 13 points and 3 three pointers against St. Louis, her athletic performance has been a huge boost to the team. She is a team captain for the varsity girls basketball team at Riverdale, and she is known for her leadership as one of three 8th graders on the team. Lucy works hard in the classroom as well, and maintains straight A’s. She is also a part of the Riverdale volleyball team that finished 5th in the state this past season, and she shines on the track & field team where she often places in the 800 meter race and the long jump.