Darlington School: Private Boarding School in Georgia Two named NAIA Champions of Character
Darlington School: Private Boarding School in Rome, GA
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Two named NAIA Champions of Character

December 19, 2013 | 747 views

Darlington seniors Hannah Mae Deems and Jule Peek have been nominated to receive the NAIA Champions of Character High School Award, which will be presented to two high school student-athletes from Rome and Floyd County who exemplify outstanding character values both on and off the field during the FCA/Chick-fil-A Champions of Character Luncheon this month. 

“Hannah Mae and Jule are outstanding student-athletes who are each very deserving of this award,” said Athletic Director Bob Stinchcomb. “Their positive attitudes, work ethic, sportsmanship, character, leadership abilities and contributions to life at Darlington have earned them this recognition. I am so proud of them, and I know they will continue to represent Darlington well in college and beyond.”

Deems is a standout member of the girls' varsity golf team, helping lead the Lady Tigers to two state titles and one runner-up finish in the past three years. She has been named girls' golf MVP every year since the sixth grade, and received both the Scholar-Athlete Award and the Coaches' Award as a junior. She is also a member of Coosa Junior Golf Academy and has served as a golf instructor at Coosa Country Club and Cherokee Country Club during the summer. Deems is a member of National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and the "Y" Cabinet, of which she serves as secretary. She is also a recipient of the Huffman Scholarship and the Yurke Family Fund, named merit scholarships given out annually by Darlington based on academic achievement. Deems has signed a letter of intent to play golf at Mercer this fall. She is the daughter of Missy and Al Deems of Taylorsville, Ga.

“In addition to her work ethic and competitive nature, Hannah Mae's best attribute is her coachability and influence as a teammate," golf coach Chad Woods. "Whatever needs to be done, she is always the first in line to do it. She has made a serious investment in the lives of her teammates and coaches, always putting their needs before her own. Hannah's humility in winning and integrity in losing make her a winner every time she competes, regardless of what the results may be. Her enthusiasm, commitment and character are contagious.”

Peek is a three-time state wrestling finalist who won an individual state title in 2013. He has received three Coaches' Awards in wrestling and, as a junior, was named wrestling MVP. Peek is also a four-year member of the varsity lacrosse team, and winner of the Exemplary Attitude Award. A member of Spanish National Honor Society, he is the son of Stacy and Jule Peek of Cedartown, Ga.

“Jule's work ethic inspires those around him to give their best,” said wrestling coach Kelly McDurmon. “He leads best by example, but as he has matured into a senior athlete, he has gained the confidence to also verbally encourage those around him to strive and get the most out of themselves.  The combination of Jule's work ethic, physicality and his humble attitude makes him a coach's dream. The Darlington wrestling program is fortunate to have him as a captain.”

The Champions of Character Luncheon will take place Dec. 19 at 11:45 a.m. at The Forum. Each Champions of Character Award winner will receive a $500 college scholarship, a certificate of recognition and two complimentary tickets each to watch the NAIA Football Championship on Dec. 21 at 4:30 p.m. at Barron Stadium.

Additional game tickets are available for $25 at The Forum Box Office or at www.forumevents.org.