Senior Wheatley Rodammer was recently selected by the Michigan High School Athletic Association as one of a select thirty-two statewide winners in the MHSAA/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award program. Wheatley was one of an original 1,513 applicants, then chosen as one of 120 finalists, and finally selected as one of the 32 winners of the scholarship (one of 3 in Class C).
Valley Lutheran Athletic Director Tyler Yahn reflected, “Being named a finalist for the MHSAA Scholar-Athlete Award is a remarkable achievement in itself, but winning the award is truly outstanding. Wheatley exemplifies the ideal student-athlete. He demonstrates dedication both in the classroom and on the field, court, and track at Valley Lutheran. We are incredibly proud to have him as a VL Charger.”
Initial criteria/requirements for this award included:
- a cumulative GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale)
- an earned varsity letter in at least one sport in which the MHSAA sponsors a post season tournament
- a list of athletics and extra-curricular activities, focusing on achievement and leadership positions
- two letters of recommendation
- response to two short answer questions about participation in high school athletics
- a 500 word essay on the importance of sportsmanship in athletics
Wheatley is only the second Valley Lutheran student to be selected as a scholarship winner in the history of this program. David Jahnke (VL ’21) was a scholarship recipient in 2020-21 and Claire Neumann (VL ’24) was a finalist last year.
Wheatley’s qualifications and an excerpt from his essay as reported by MHSAA are below. He will be recognized and awarded the scholarship on March 15 at Michigan State University Breslin Center during the MHSAA Division 3 Boys’ State Final Game.
We commend Wheatley for this impressive accomplishment and congratulate him on this scholarship award!
Originally posted at: https://www.mhsaa.com/topics/students/2025-scholar-athlete-award-recipients-announced-class-c-d
Wheatley Rodammer, Saginaw Valley Lutheran
Played four seasons of varsity soccer, is playing his second of varsity basketball and will compete in his fourth of track & field this spring. Earned all-league and all-District in soccer and contributed to academic all-state team. Qualified for MHSAA Track & Field Finals as part of relay. Served as captain of soccer and basketball teams. Participated two years in National Honor Society, four years in school’s Protect Life group and in STEM and Global Awareness clubs as a junior. Will serve as head timer for grade school track meets for fourth year this spring and head announcer for third year. Completed Great Lakes Area Leadership Camp. Will attend Saginaw Valley State University and study a business-related major.
Essay Quote: “Throughout my years in grade school and high school sports, I have often heard coaches repeat phrases like “practice makes perfect” and “you get out of it what you put into it.” These lessons have prepared me for life beyond sports. Having good sportsmanship is a personal choice that requires commitment. There is a significant difference between showing sportsmanship only when it feels convenient and displaying it consistently, no matter the circumstances. Educational athletics often throw curveballs your way, requiring you to remain composed and prepared at all times – not just when you feel like it.”