BEAR RIVER HIGH - March 3, 2020
Bear River Student Athlete of the Month is a recognition and scholarship program for students that represent our school and community in an exceptional way via exceptional sport performance, maintaining a great GPA, demonstrate leadership qualities and conduct themselves as a respectable person inside and outside our community.
Recognizing that these students are the future of our community and our future work force, some of the local business owners have joined together to fund the Athlete of the Month Scholarship Program. The honored student of the month is selected by Van Park and the coach. The students are then presented with a $200 mini scholarship donated by the sponsors.
At the end of the year each monthly winner will be required to submit an essay explaining why they should receive the scholarship. The essays are then reviewed and voted upon by the sponsors with the student’s identity remaining anonymous. All of the monthly winners are invited to a banquet where the overall scholarship recipients will be awarded. Both a male and female winner will receive a $2,000 cash scholarship.
SEPTEMBER 2019: Dallon Schultz & Macy Newman
“Dallon Schultz was a constant leader on and off the golf course this year. Whether it was good or bad he had a smile on his face. He always kept practice light by making everyone laugh. He was a great role model for the younger players to look up to this year!”
- Devin Kidman Head Boys Golf Coach Bear River High School
“Dallon is one of those students that just quietly goes through his day being a great success in everything he does. In addition to being an integral part of this years’ golf team he is a great student, as is shown by his 4.0 GPA, while taking a full load of high level classes. He is also a member of the track team where he is actually one of the top sprinters not only on our team but in the entire state.
Even though I never had the opportunity to teach Dallon I have watched him and have noticed that he always has a smile on his face and is always so kind and respectful to everyone. Thanks for being such a great example of what we want from our student athletes. Best of luck in all you do in the future. With your personality and work ethic you will be a great success.”
-Van Park Athletic Director Bear River High School
“It has been a privilege to coach Macy the past two seasons. She is a lovely young woman with a ton of energy. Macy is a natural leader and has an innate desire to achieve and to motivate. I expect my varsity players to be motivated as well as motivating to the rest of the team. Macy certainly has those qualities. She has a passion for sports and is naturally competitive. These qualities show in how she plays. She gives it her all throughout her entire match and never lets up. I love that about her.
Macy is a great example of sportsmanship and selfless character. When she wins she is not boastful. When she loses, she is always able to quickly pick herself up and put on a positive air for the rest of her team rather than spend valuable time in self-pity. A positive, upbeat attitude like hers is so needed on a sports team.
She is also able to learn things from every match, whether she wins or loses, that will help her in her next match. She is always willing to listen to feedback and make the changes she needs to in order to improve. Some of what she has learned has been truly inspiring to me and has made me a better person for having heard it.
All of these attributes will aid Macy later in life to be the best she can be in all she does. I am eager to see the caliber of woman she becomes. She is a light in a darkened world and will likely be a powerful influence for good in the lives of those she touches.”
-Robert Epling
Head Girls Tennis Coach
Bear River High School
“I had the privilege of teaching Macy in Health her sophomore year and I continued to observe her as athletic director for four years and have been impressed with so many things about Macy. One of her many great qualities that I noticed right off was just how hard she always works no matter what she is doing. This is why she qualified to play at the state tournament this past week and why she has a 4.0 GPA and why she will be a great success throughout her life.
In addition to this I have always been so impressed with how she is kind and friendly to everyone she comes in contact with. I would say Macy is a perfect example of what we like in our student athletes. She is very competitive but always respectful with no contempt. Macy always has a smile on her face and seems happy. I would have to think it is because she exemplifies what makes someone successful and that is the satisfaction of knowing that you have done the very best that you can and have treated people how you would want to be treated.
Thanks, Macy for being an example to me and others of what it takes to be happy and successful! I wish you the very best in your future!”
-Van Park Athletic Director Bear River High School
OCTOBER 2019: Abbie Fuhriman & Kourtlan Rasmussen
“Let me just start off by saying a write up of Abbie just isn’t going to do her justice. Abbie Fuhriman is a model for all females on and off the field. She contributes with hard work and a never quit or give up attitude. She is always positive and uplifting. You ask her to do something and she is so willing to take of the task.
Her “I got this” attitude will take her far in life. The only thing I know that holds Abbie back from accomplishing her goal or what is asked of her is time. Words that describe Abbie are Enthusiastic, Determined, Self-Disciplined, Passionate, Lively, Energetic, Exuberant, and the list can go on and on.
I know her teammates think the world of her! All for good reasons. Her toughest things in life will be that not everything can be accomplished only because we cannot be perfect. As a coach the toughest thing for me was knowing that she wants to participate but because of self-sustained injuries, probably from overworking herself, kept her from playing. I honestly can’t say enough about this wonderful young lady!”
-Jesse Esquivel Head Girls’ Soccer Coach Bear River High School
“I have had the privilege of teaching Abbie in Health class her sophomore year as well as having the opportunity to have her come to my basketball camps when she was younger. I have continued to observe her as athletic director for four years and have been impressed with so many things about Abbie. One of her many great qualities that I noticed right off was just how hard she always works no matter what she is doing. Let me add she does everything. She does cross country alongside girls’ soccer, she does girls’ basketball and is a top distant runner in track. She also is a member of the student council! Whew! I am exhausted just thinking about it.
This is why she qualified to run at state in cross country while being a big part of our girls’ soccer team and why she has a 4.0 GPA and why she will be a great success throughout her life. In addition to this I have always been so impressed with how she is kind and friendly to everyone she comes in contact with. She will write notes to people just expressing her gratitude and I once observed her writing a note to everyone on her team at the end of the season banquet. I would definitely say Abbie is a perfect example of what we look for in our student athletes. She is very competitive but always respectful with no contempt.
Abbie is truly one of those athletes that cares as much or more for her teammate’s success as she does her own. I believe she has a quality that most adults as well as teens are searching for and that is being truly happy. I believe she is a happy person because she exemplifies what makes someone successful and that is the satisfaction of knowing that you have done the very best that you can and have treated people how you would want to be treated.
Thanks, Abbie for being an example to me, my family and many others of what it takes to be happy and successful! I wish you the very best in your future!”
-Van Park Athletic Director Bear River High School
“Kourtlan Rasmussen is a junior at Bear River High School and is the varsity boys’ team captain for the cross-country team. Kourtlan has excelled at cross country since middle school and has qualified for state every year of his high school.
Kourtlan is friends with everyone on the team and is well liked by all those he comes in contact with. He is someone the coaches can go to for solutions to team problems that will help benefit the team. Kourtland is a steadying influence and will always come through under pressure.
He is the son of Preston and Melissa Rasmussen from Tremonton. Kourtlan is an excellent student and carries a 3.885 GPA. He also is a member of the high school marching band and has been a member of the seminary council and student council. His coaches are thrilled to have the opportunity to coach and work with him. They know of no other finer young man than him.
-Dan Line Head Boys Cross Country Coach Bear River High School
“Kourtlan is one of those students that just quietly goes through his day being a great success in everything he does. In addition to being an integral part of this years’ cross country team he is a great student, as is shown by his 3.885 GPA, while taking a full load of high level classes. He is also a member of the track team and has been very involved with the student government.
Even though I never had the opportunity to teach Kourtlan, I have watched him and have noticed that he always has a smile on his face and is always so kind and respectful to everyone. Thanks for being such a great example of what we want from our student athletes. Best of luck in all you do in the future. With your personality and work ethic you will be a great success.”
-Van Park Athletic Director Bear River High School
NOVEMBER 2019: Logan Litchford & Madison White
“Logan was voted team captain at the start of the 2019 football season. He is an outstanding student and leader for this team. Logan was a workhouse, seeing varsity time at offensive center, defensive tackle, offensive guard and when needed, middle linebacker.
Logan is a true friend to everyone on the team. Logan always does what is best for the team and he is a shining example to the younger players.”
-Chris Wise Head Football Coach Bear River High School
“Logan Litchford is the third student athlete in his family to come through Bear River High and like his brother and sister before him has represented his family, school and community in a manner that every parent would be proud of! When you see Logan in class or the halls you see this kind, polite and quiet young man. Then you watch him on the football field or the basketball court and you see him metamorphous into this tough, fierce and physical competitor.
However even though he is this tough competitor you see him compete without contempt and always shows respect to the referees as well as his competitors. I have never seen Logan lose his composure but always has this calming demeanor. He is a great leader because of these qualities. I love to watch him compete because of these great qualities.
I had the pleasure of teaching Logan and since that day he has always greeted me with a friendly smile. I believe Logan will be a big success in life as he knows how to work hard and how to treat people. Good luck Logan in everything you do!”
-Van Park Athletic Director Bear River High School
“Madison White has been nominated athlete of the month at Bear River High School. Madi is a junior and participated this fall for the Lady Bears Cross Country team and served as the team’s varsity captain. Madi had an historic year both individually and as part of the varsity team.
Madison medaled at the prestigious Cache Box invitational finishing 7th and helping the Lady Bears to their second consecutive title which was a first in school history. Madi followed that up by running the fastest time in school history at Region. Her time of 19:13 put her on the top of the podium with her first region title ever. Her finish coupled with that of her teammates, gave the girls from Bear River their third ever region title and marked the first year in school history where the girls won both the Cache Box and Region titles.
A week later at state, Madi crushed her own state record by 37 seconds, becoming the first girl in school history to break the 19-minute mark (18:59) in either a 5k or 3-mile race. Her 5th place finish at state earned her medalist honors and was the second best placing by a girl from BRHS at the Utah State Cross Country Championships. At the conclusion of the race, Madison and her teammates were awarded the 4A girls’ State Cross Country Academic Championship, as the girls averaged a combined 3.95 GPA.
Madison has her sights on great things next year for herself and her team. Madison also competes in track. She is a three-year letter winner and is the daughter of Jared and Kim White of Tremonton.”
-Dan Line Head Cross Country Coach Bear River High School
“It is a real pleasure to recognize Madison White as the female student athlete of the month. If you were to see Madison in the halls of Bear River you wouldn’t guess this quiet, petite and pretty young lady would be such a fierce competitor but as I watched her at the region championships I saw just what a determined competitor she is.
I had the pleasure of coaching Madison’s dad and I saw the same grit, toughness and competitiveness in Madi as I saw day in and day out from her Dad. At the Region XI championships I had a great and lasting memory made thanks to Madi. I happened to be helping at the finish line as Madi came across the finish line in first place and then just collapsed. So I helped take her out of the way as other runners where coming. She was disoriented and couldn’t walk but as her Dad came up she looked up at him, smiled and said, “Dad I got a gold medal!” I choked up as this athlete showed what high school sports are all about. She uses the same work and determination in the classroom as she has maintained a 4.0 throughout her high school career!
Thanks, Madison for being such a great example to everyone at Bear River of hard work, humility, kindness, dignity and class! I wish you the very best the rest of your high school career and throughout your life!”
-Van Park Athletic Director
Bear River High School
DECEMBER 2019: Keegan Hadley & Raigan Gee
“Keegan Hadley is a junior swimmer this year. He is in his third year of competitive swimming. One of the most admirable traits that Keegan has is how hard he works. Even on the days he is sick he tries to get in the pool and swim. When in the pool he pushes himself nonstop. He also tries to motivate those around him to push as hard as they can.
Keegan has scored the highest points for the boy’s team this year at 112 team points. He has a goal to have the fastest time on the team in all events. Right now he has the fastest time in four events and he is in second in three events.
Keegan is a great example to others around him and represents the swim team and the school where ever he goes.”
-Danny Esplin Head Boys Swim Coach Bear River High School
“It is a pleasure to talk about a great swimmer and even better student and an even better person. Keegan is one of the most polite students you will meet! He is always kind to everyone he meets! He is a very hardworking dependable and responsible student athlete also. All these characteristics make him a great leader for his swim team.
When I taught Keegan as a sophomore I knew right away that he loved swimming. All you had to do was bring up the swim team and he just lit up! It was also easy to tell he was going to be a great success as he always worked hard in class and had an outstanding attitude! Because of this great attitude and work ethic Keegan has a 3.976 GPA.
I love that Keegan has set high goals for himself and there is no question he will achieve them. I want to thank Keegan for being such a great representative of our school and swim team. He is exactly what we want our student athletes to be.”
-Van Park Athletic Director Bear River High School
“Raigan is a hard worker. She not only pushes herself to be the best that she can, but she is also a motivator to other athletes. Raigan leads them both by example and by encouraging them and helping them see their potential. Raigan is always willing to put in extra work, even if that means swimming on her own over the holidays so she can be in the best shape possible when returning to swimming. Due to her strong efforts and willingness to work hard and push herself, Raigan has become a leader of the team.
Raigan always sets goals for herself and pushes herself to achieve these goals. She never skips out on anything difficult and always has a good attitude even when the workouts are not easy or particularly fun.
If Raigan does not do as well as she would like, she uses this as a learning experience to be better the next time around. Raigan is currently the girl’s; team top backstroke swimmer with a time of 1:08:64. In addition to backstroke, Raigan is a versatile swimmer who can race anything and still do well. Raigan is particularly good at longer distance races such as the 500 freestyle in which she is one of the top swimmers.”
-Joelle Beard Head Girls Swim Coach Bear River High School
“After reading Raigan’s write up by her coach I feel cheated that I didn’t get to teach her. She has all the qualities of a successful person. Hard work, self-motivated, goal oriented and always a great attitude. There is no question with these qualities Raigan will be a great success at whatever she does.
The great coach, John Wooden always said, “Make each day your masterpiece.” Raigan definitely does that as she tries every day to make herself just a little better. She has taken a vigorous class load and maintained a 3.843 GPA throughout her four years at Bear River. She has proven herself to be a great leader both on the swim team as well as in school as she is the senior class vice president!
Thanks, Raigan for representing our school in such an outstanding manner!”
-Van Park Athletic Director Bear River High School
JANUARY 2020: Kalli Ostermiller & Mark Huber
"Kalli Ostermiller is one of the girls swim team captains this year. Kalli always works hard at swimming and does whatever she can to improve both her skills and her speed. Kalli swims a variety of races, but breaststroke is her strongest race; she is the fastest breaststroke swimmer on the girls' team.
Kalli also swims on the "A" relays, doing the breaststroke leg of the medley relay. Kalli can also be counted on to do any race that she is put in, and to push herself in that race. When she has a bad race, she uses that as a lesson to help her improve next time. Kalli is a great example to her team members as well. Kalli is always looking for the best in others' abilities and uses that to help encourage and support them."
-Joelle Beard
Head Girls Swim Coach
Bear River High School
"I have been very fortunate in my many years of teaching, coaching and as athletic director to rub shoulders with some of the very best young people there are and Kalli is definitely in that group. She works extremely hard in the classroom just as she does on the swim team as is demonstrated by her 3.982 GPA while taking many AP and College classes.
I am continually impressed with how hard she always works to be the best that she can be and how hard she works to try and do what is asked of her. To me one of her greatest traits is how kind she is to everyone and how she cares about others and is always looking for ways to help others. I have seen very few people that have such a positive impact on others. She truly is a friend to all and does not discriminate. I know this may sound trite but Kalli truly is a ray of sunshine wherever she goes.
Kalli also shows in swimming and in life that you can compete without content and that being kind is much more important than being right. It has been my pleasure to know, work with and learn from Kalli and I want to wish her the very best.
-Van Park
Athletic Director
Bear River High School
"Mark Huber is a senior guard, team captain, and four year varsity starter for the boys’ basketball team. He is an extremely hard worker who demands the best from himself and his teammates at all times. He is a great example of hard work and dedication in both the classroom and on the basketball court. Mark never shies away from a challenge or from extra work and his hard work seems to be contagious within our program.
Mark averages 22.3 points a game and is currently the second leading scorer in the state. He is also one of our team leaders in both assists and rebounds proving that he is also a great team player that is willing to chip in wherever needed in order to win. Mark is also one of the nation’s leaders in free-throw percentage at just over 90%.
While Marks stats on the court are impressive his effort in the classroom is extraordinary. Mark maintains a 3.976 GPA and exceptional attendance while helping lead the basketball team. He is a great example and leader for our school and for our program."
-Reggie Shaw
Head Boys Basketball Coach
Bear River High School
"Mark Huber is the epitome of a student athlete. He is a great student and a great basketball player and what more is he is even a better all-around person. I have known Mark the majority of his life and have watched him practice innumerable hours on the fundamentals of basketball as he has always loved the game and set high goals and then worked incredibly hard to achieve those goals. When he was in my health class he was impressive, not only with his intelligence but with his genuine kindness, humility and respect he had for everyone.
As my aide as Athletic Director I have had him do numerous tasks in helping me get things set up for various sports and seasons and I have never seen someone of his age that listens so well and then carries out the task with a smile and a great attitude. He is also unique in that he has great initiative. He will just jump in and do something that needs to be done without even asking.
One of the greatest compliments I could give Mark is as a father and athletic director I can honestly say Mark is the kind of young man I would want coaching for me or dating my daughter if I had any daughters left. It will be fun to watch Mark go through his life because I can guarantee he will be a success at whatever he does. I wish Mark all the very best! I will always consider him a great friend and example to me."
-Van Park
Athletic Director
Bear River High School
FEBRUARY 2020: Ashley Roberts & Tyler Howard
"Miss Roberts, a senior member of the girls’ basketball team, was selected as athlete of the month because of her leadership skills and team contributions.
"Ashley is a team captain. Ashley leads by example. Ashley has shown that her actions, attitudes, and demeanors are much more important than what she says. Her actions speak louder than her words. Ashley’s leadership has positively impacted her peers, team, and school.
"Ashley is a consistent team contributor. Her statistical contributions are helping her team being competitive and successful. Her dedication on defense and other non-statistical contributions have also propelled her and her team across many major hurdles this season. Ashley is a competitor. She wants to win. She is positive, and she puts her team first! Congratulations Miss Roberts!"
-Tyrell Neal
Head Girls Basketball Coach
Bear River High School
"What a pleasure to be able to write about a student I have admired and appreciated ever since I had her in my Health class! She has always had a smile that will brighten even the worst of days and will share it with everyone she meets! She is a great student as is shown by her 4.0 cumulative GPA as well as being named Academic All-State in soccer and girls basketball! You watch her in class, play soccer, basketball or run track it is easy to see why she is such a success in all she does.
She always works incredibly hard, has an amazing attitude, never complains, is a great listener and always cares about others. When you first meet Ashley you might think she is too quiet, kind and timid to participate in athletics but you would be dead wrong. She is a fierce competitor, never backing down from anything or anyone. Yet she does it with great sportsmanship and class.
Thanks, Ashley for being an example to me of how we should all compete. That is being a fierce competitor but always showing respect to others. Ashley I look forward to seeing you be a big success in life! Good luck in all you do!"
-Van Park
Athletic Director
Bear River High School
"Tyler is our athlete of the month. He wrestles 182 for Bear River. Tyler placed 2nd at the divisional tournament this past weekend. Besides being a very good wrestler Tyler is a good leader on our team.
He has a huge part in the goals we have achieved as a team. Thank you."
-Jeff Smart
Head Wrestling Coach
Bear River High School
"Unfortunately I have not had the pleasure to get to know Tyler real well but as I have watched him wrestle throughout his high school career and as I have watched him in lacrosse I could tell he was my kind of athlete. Tough, hardworking, team oriented and doesn’t need a lot of fanfare. He is not someone that is loud, boisterous and a glory monger. He just quietly goes about his business and beats you.
As a coach I always told my players success is being the best you can possibly be each and every time and that is where true satisfaction comes from. With that being said Tyler must feel very good about what he does. Thanks Tyler for always representing our school and community with such class and being someone on and off the mat that everyone can be proud of."
-Van Park
Athletic Director
Bear River High School
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