Release Date: January 6, 2011
Media Contact: Melissa Mowrey, Executive Director
850-485-0658
GARRETT TEAL SELECTED AS 2011 RECIPIENT OF PRESTIGIOUS TAYLOR HAUGEN TROPHY
January 6, 2011 (Niceville, FL) – In conjunction with the All Sports Association, the Taylor Haugen Foundation presented The 2011 Taylor Haugen Trophy to Garrett Scott Teal of Crestview.
“I am so very honored to have been a part of this year’s selection process, and while Garrett clearly stands out among his peers, it was very comforting to see how many great young Christian athletes are out in our community today,” stated Steve Boswell, All Sports Association President. “It will be an honor to recognize Garrett at our FCA Prayer Breakfast this February.”
“We were blessed to have so many exceptional students nominated; it made for a difficult decision,” stated Kathy Haugen, “T”’s mom. “We are very proud of Garrett and we wish to acknowledge all the nominees for their faith and accomplishments.”
The Taylor Haugen Trophy and a $1,000 award are offered in the memory of Taylor Reid Haugen, Class of 2011. It is awarded each winter in conjunction with the All Sports Association at the annual All Sports Association FCA breakfast. Taylor was a member of the Niceville Eagles Football and Wrestling teams as well as being an honor student at Niceville High School. He was comfortable about his faith in God, passionate about football, and consistently showed commitment to others through his volunteer work in his church and community.
The Trophy is awarded to an area athlete who best demonstrates a similar balance between academics, athleticism, leadership, community service and faith. High School students in Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa Counties are eligible to be nominated for the Trophy by their FCA huddle leader, coach or minister.
Garrett Teal is a senior at Crestview High School where he serves as a leader in several areas of academics, faith, community service and athletics. With a 3.9 GPA, Garrett led Class4A in passing touchdowns as quarterback of the Crestview Bulldogs and lettered in the sport three times. Community service and mission work are clearly high priorities; he is a member of the Taylor Haugen Foundation Youth Corps, the youth choir at First Baptist of Crestview and has been an officer in FCA throughout all four years of high school.
When selecting the recipient this year, 2011 Chairman of the Taylor Haugen Foundation Board Yvonne Freeman stated, “These students are extremely well rounded in the areas of academics, faith, community service and leadership. The selection committee truly feels that Garrett exemplifies one of the best and brightest students that Okaloosa County has to offer.”
In terms of his expressive faith, Garrett was instrumental in planning Fields of Faith at Choctaw High School, which is based on a national FCA event intended to encourage teens to dig deeper into their faith and bring it to the next level. “Now the groundwork has been laid for Okaloosa County FCA Huddles to continue to come together as one, for Christ,” notes Garrett.
Academically, Garrett helped to begin the TARS program at CHS – Teen Age Republicans – as well as served as vice-chairman. He served as class president of student government as a freshman and received the freshman leadership award. He also served as a yearbook staffer for two years. Garrett represented CHS on the 2010 Chelco Youth Tour.
Garrett is very active in his church and has completed mission work in New York and plans to participate in a summer mission in New Mexico working on a Navajo reservation.
“My goal as a Christian has always been to live a Christ-like life as a living example to others of God’s unconditional love. I focus diligently on living out that ideal everyday, not just at church or around adults but everywhere, all the time. One thing I have required of myself is that I never shy away from my faith, but proudly proclaim my relationship with Christ,” said Teal.
His plans are to pursue a career in pre-law and continue a life of service. Garrett plans to attend the University of Alabama this fall. He is the son of Angela Etheridge and Scott Teal and his siblings are Kahley, Amber and Breana.
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/honored-36370-taylor-teal.html
