In every sport, there are athletes whose impact reaches far beyond the scoreboard.

They may not always be the loudest, most decorated, or most visible, but they are often the teammates who hold everything together — the steady encouragers, quiet servants, and selfless competitors who make everyone around them better. This spring, Valor Christian Athletics formally recognized those student-athletes for the first time through the new Romans 12:10 Award.

Presented annually to one student-athlete from each Valor Christian team, the Romans 12:10 Award was created to honor those who best reflect an others-first life. Rooted in Romans 12:10 — "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." — the award celebrates the athlete who consistently chooses encouragement over attention, service over status, and genuine love for others over personal recognition.

More than an athletic honor, the Romans 12:10 Award recognizes the student-athlete who helps shape team culture through humility, authenticity, selflessness, and servant-hearted Christian leadership. It is given to those who serve, include, encourage, and elevate the people around them — the kind of teammates who strengthen a program from the inside out.

The official inscription on the award coin reflects that vision: "Presented annually to the student-athlete on each Valor Christian team who best embodies Romans 12:10 by honoring others above self through humility, encouragement, authenticity, and servant-hearted Christian leadership."

The inaugural spring recipients of the Romans 12:10 Award are:

Baseball — Bridger Kindsfater, 12
Boys Lacrosse — James Riches, 11
Boys Swim+Dive — Josh Heydt, 12
Boys Volleyball — Wesley Kurz, 11
Girls Golf — Ella Scott, 11
Girls Lacrosse — Brynn Hammill, 10
Girls Soccer — Sophie Parker, 12
Girls Tennis — Anna Schouten, 12
Track & Field — Will Rogers, 12

Each of these student-athletes was recognized not only for what they accomplished in competition, but for how they carried themselves within their team community. They reflect the kind of culture Valor Christian Athletics desires to build — one where athletes pursue excellence while honoring Christ in the way they love, serve, and celebrate others.

As the award becomes an annual tradition, the hope is that it will do more than recognize a few athletes at the end of each season. It will help cast a vision for every Eagle in every program. At its best, the Romans 12:10 Award is both a celebration and a challenge — a reminder that one of the highest callings in sport is not simply to stand out, but to lift others up.

"This award helps put words around something we deeply value in Valor Christian Athletics," said Director of Athletics Keith Wahl. "We want to celebrate young men and women who are not only excellent competitors, but extraordinary teammates — student-athletes who honor others above themselves, serve quietly, encourage consistently, and make the people around them better. We believe that kind of others-first life reflects the heart of Christ, and we want the Romans 12:10 Award to be a guiding light for the culture we are building across every one of our programs."

Spring 2026 Recipients