November 15, six Beaver Area students participated in the WPIAL Sportsman Summit at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh. Participants included Kristi Buckenheimer, Braydon Hansen, Bailey O’Leary, Alexis Russell, Lauren Sullivan, and Jackson Thomas.

These six students were chosen based on their leadership qualities within their given sport but also had to have good grades and attendance.

While there, the students listened to guest speakers ranging from former Pittsburgh Steeler Chris Hoke to the Director of Athletics at Duquesne University. The speeches all had a similar theme: encourage the attendants to be the best leaders, teammates, and athletes they could be on and off the field.

When asked if she would recommend participation in the WPIAL Sportsman Summit, O’Leary said, “Overall, I would recommend this event to other students because it's a good way to learn more about the importance of being a ‘good sport,’ and it makes you realize how impactful sports are in a community.”

But the event was more than speeches—there were fun activities. The students also participated in a scavenger hunt in which they had to search the sports section in the Heinz History Center for “game changers.”

So keep your grades up and show good leadership skills in your sport and you could have a chance to attend the WPIAL Sportsman Summit next year.