MMA 8th Grade Cadets Stand Out in Sportsmanship and Citizenship Essay Contest

Two eighth-grade MMA cadets were chosen to compete in the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Middle-Level Sportsmanship and Citizenship Essay contest. Judges selected the top two MMA essays, written by Cadets Easton Nance and Harrison Pittman, to continue in higher rounds of judging. Congratulations to both cadets for their achievement, with a special congratulations to Pittman (feature photo above), whose essay was chosen as a district winner. MMA Academic Dean Mike Harding recognized the cadets for their achievement during the spring 2023 athletics award assembly on May 10, 2023.

The essay project promotes the development of written skills while causing students “to reflect upon the importance of sportsmanship, citizenship, and the role that leadership plays in our society,” according to MSHSAA.The 2022-2023 contest prompt was “Select a public figure and explain how their actions and your experiences in sports activities promote growth and character.”

Cadet Nance wrote about the Wisconsin Parkside University wrestler Cayden Herschel. Cadet Pittman's essay focused on the Los Angeles Angles Major League Baseball player Mike Trout. Both essays demonstrated how important it is to continue to strive to be a good sport in everything you do – in sports, in life and in your relationships with others.