The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) announced today that Roselle (Lake Park) senior Tori Clark will serve as the Association’s nominee for the 2010 National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Spirit of Sport Award.
The Spirit of Sport Award aims to recognize individuals who exemplify the ideals of the positive spirit of sport that represent the core mission of education-based athletics. Student-athletes, coaches, athletic administrators, administrators, trainers and other individuals associated with a school’s athletic and activity programs were all eligible to be nominated. The NFHS will announce one national Spirit of Sport Award winner and eight Section winners in March.
Clark’s candidacy was based off of her actions in October of this year while she was a member of the Lancer volleyball team. Clark’s story began when she read an article in the local newspaper about Christine Federico, whose daughters played volleyball at fellow Upstate Eight Conference school Naperville (Neuqua Valley). Federico had been diagnosed with Myelodysplastic syndrome, a form of pre-leukemia that required a bone marrow transplant. Despite not knowing or having any connection with Federico or her daughters, Clark rallied her teammates, coaches and the Lake Park community to help. Clark and her teammates dubbed the conference match, which happened to fall on her 18th birthday, between Lake Park and Neuqua Valley on October 15 “Teams Helping Teams” night. The gym was adorned in orange, the ribbon color for leukemia awareness, and nearly everyone in attendance was wearing an orange shirt that read “Federico Family” on the front and “We Support You” on the back. The shirts, which were donated by the family of Lake Park volleyball head coach Kate Clifton, were sold and raised nearly $4,000, which was presented to the Federico family.
“To be honest, I am really surprised and honored to be nominated for the Spirit of Sport Award,” said Clark. “I never dreamed that the fundraiser would be as successful as it was or draw as much media attention as it did. I am just happy that I was able to help the Federico family and hopefully raise awareness of Myelodysplastic syndrome.”
Clark has been selected to the Honor Roll several times at Lake Park and has participated in soccer, volleyball and basketball during her time there. She has served as a senior mentor to underclassmen and contributed to other service projects with her teammates, including hosting a wheelchair basketball tournament and making blankets for terminally ill children.
“Selfless, kind, compassionate…the list of adjectives to describe Tori Clark’s actions could go on and on,” said IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman. “Her reaction and efforts after reading that story about the Federico family shows what a remarkable young lady she is. I don’t know that there are many 17 year-olds who would have responded the same way. She has directly impacted the Federico family, but she may never realize how many people she and the Lake Park community have truly touched.”
Clark follows Amy Brechon, the IHSA’s Spirit of Sport Award candidate from a year ago and a 2009 graduate of Belvidere (North). Brechon was named the Midwest’s Section 4 winner for her work in promoting breast cancer awareness in 2009.
“Thanks so much to my teammates, Coach Clifton, her generous family and (Lake Park Athletic Director) Mr. (Pete) Schauer for allowing this all to happen,” added Clark. “Thanks as well to the hundreds upon hundreds of Lancer fans who came out to support the fundraiser. You all look fantastic in neon orange!”