The Mayo Free Press awarded it’s first ever Media’s Choice Award this year. The preferred recipient of the award would be presented to the year round athlete that provided the most unexpected results and exhibited great attitude, desire, leadership and teamwork. There would be one boy and girl chosen at the final awards banquet for the year.

The winner of the media’s choice award this year was presented to senior Stacey Lewis and junior Thomas Parker.

Lewis represented Mayo on the volleyball, basketball and softball venues. She was selected as the most versatile in volleyball. She was a key offensive contributor on the basketball court leading her team to a district title. On the softball field, there is not a better center fielder.

Lewis pushes herself to be the best she can be, and also expects the same from her teammates. It is due to that desire to compete at a high level that Lewis was an all-state basketball selection.

The contribution that Lewis has made over the years has made the Lady Hornets a force in all sports and thus our selection as the athlete of the year.

For the boys, Parker was a unaminous choice. He played the wide receiver position on the football field. He is expected to be a force on the offensive side of the ball in 2005 to lead the Hornets to a district title. In basketball, Parker turned it up a notch to assist his team at key moments to lead the Hornets to the district championship game. In track, Parker took the district championship in the 300 hurdles and shocked everybody with a district runnerup finish in the high jump. He advanced to the state finals in the hurdles. Parker was a great selection for this award since he always seems to have a little extra for his team at key moments. His attitude and desire on the playing fields is outstanding making him our choice for the first time award.