INDIANAPOLIS, IN (March 12, 2019) — Forest Lake (California) Christian School has been selected as the Section 7 recipient of the “National High School Spirit of Sport Award” by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).
The National High School Spirit of Sport Award was created by the NFHS to recognize those individuals who exemplify the ideals of the spirit of sport that represent the core mission of education-based athletics.
Regarded as the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history, the November 2018 “Camp Fire” ravaged northern California. With 239.6 square miles burned, 86 fatalities and 16½ billion dollars of damage, it was the deadliest fire in the United States dating back to the Cloquet fire in 1918.
Caught smack in the middle of it was Paradise, California – which was essentially decimated by the horrific blaze.
In the midst of that tragedy, the Forest Lake Christian School girls volleyball team hosted Paradise Adventist in the 2018 California Interscholastic Federation NorCal Division VI Semifinal.
Paradise Adventist and the Paradise community - which nearly lost everything in the Camp Fire, including homes - decided to play the scheduled game, desperate for some normalcy.
In an act of unparalleled humanity, Forest Lake Christian School openly welcomed Paradise Adventist and did everything it could to take care of them.
The Forest Lake Community stepped in by raising more than $16,000 support for Paradise. In addition to meals, uniforms and equipment, each member of the Paradise team received flowers, gift bags filled with essential toiletry items and a $3,000 gift card after the game. No fan or family member of the Paradise team paid admission to the game or snack bar. Forest Lake Christian School also filled a room full of food and clothing free to anyone affiliated with Paradise Adventist.
About the Award
The NFHS divides the nation into eight geographical sections. The states in Section 7 are California, Arizona, Hawaii., Nevada and Utah.
Nominations for this award were generated through NFHS member state associations and reviewed by the NFHS Spirit of Sport Award Selection Committee composed of state association staff members.
While the national winner will be recognized June 29 at the NFHS Summer Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana, the section winners will be recognized within their respective states and will receive awards before the end of the current school year.