Gainesville, Fl. - The Florida High School Athletic Association announced Wednesday the winners of the fifth annual
Roger Dearing Heart of the Arts Award and the
Roger Dearing Spirit of Sport Award. Sophie Araque-Liu (Martin County High School) earned the Heart of the Arts honor, while Julie Michael (Mitchell High School) took home the Spirit of Sport Award.
Both nominees demonstrated their hard work and efforts to give back to their communities. Araque-Liu and Michael will both receive a $1,500 scholarship in their names on behalf of the FHSAA.
Roger Dearing Heart of the Arts Award
Sophie Araque-Liu, Martin County High School (Stuart) – Araque-Liu owns a 4.0 GPA and is an Advanced Placement scholar at Martin County High School. She has been a member of the National Art Honor Society since freshman year currently serving as president. She is also serves as a Peer Leader with Peer Forward helping students apply to college and financial aid. Araque-Liu volunteers as a camp counselor and has used her talents to create murals with “Create for a Cause” and “Salute to Service.” She works as a freelance artist and has been commissioned to create a painting for her high school basketball coach and over 150 psychology flashcards for a local therapy clinic to help patients communicate their feelings and expressions. Araque-Liu has been recognized her achievements in art by winning the 2021 Annual Holocaust Reflection Contest, 2022 MartinArts for Visual Arts, and 2023 Florida State Fair Art Portfolio Contest. She has placed in the top three of the Congressional Art Competition 18
th District of Florida every year since 2020. Perhaps her most impressive achievements is being selected as the National Winner of the 2022 Doodle for Google contest achieving a $50,000 technology award for her school and a $30,000 college scholarship. Her piece titled, “Not Alone,” represents struggles with mental health and finally accepting support from family and friends. The piece allows people to accept care from others and give it in return. Araque-Liu hopes to use her talents to study engineering and architecture in college.
Roger Dearing Spirit of Sport Award
Julie Michael, Mitchell High School (New Port Richey) – Michael owns a 3.8 GPA and is an Advanced Placement scholar at Mitchell High School. She participates in football, soccer, weightlifting and lacrosse. Upon graduation, Michael will have earned a total of 13 varsity letters. Michael was promoted to first-string kicker this year and is the first female ever to play and record points during a football playoff game at Mitchell High School. Each summer, Michael volunteers as a football coach for the local middle school and shared with the youth players that there is a place for everyone in football regardless of size, speed, race, or gender. She has even invited elementary-aged girls to her high school football games to show them that girls can play high school football, too. Beyond football, Michael serves a team captain for her soccer team and placed second at the regional weightlifting competition in 2021. In addition to athletics, Michael is a 4-year member of the Navy JROTC program and has served as the Physical Fitness Officer, Community Service Officer, and Platoon Commander. Michael volunteers with Pasco County sheriffs’ office. While attending a presentation, Sherriff Chris Nocco spoke with plight of homeless teenager in her community and there was a fear that students would not return to school because they did not have basic necessities. Michael decided to take action and planned a Teen Hygiene Drive to collect items that teenagers want. Michael collected over 600 items which were distributed through the sheriff’s outreach program. Her dedication to helping others will not end after high school as she has been appointed to the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
About the Roger Dearing Heart of the Arts Award
The FHSAA has developed the “Roger Dearing Heart of the Art Awards,” to honor individual(s) who embody “Heart of the Arts.” The award covers an excess of performing arts disciplines and seeks to recognize those individuals who illustrate a positive heart of the arts and represent the core mission of education-based activities. The award may be given in recognition of specific act or for an activity of longer duration. The winner of the Roger Dearing Heart of the Arts Award will be submitted to the National Federation of State High School Athletic Associations (NFHS) as the FHSAA’s nomination for the NFHS Heart of the Arts Award.
About the Roger Dearing Spirit of Sport Award
The FHSAA has developed the “Roger Dearing Spirit of Sport Awards,” to seek those individual(s) who showcase the ideals of the positive spirit of sport and represent the core mission of education-based athletics. The individual or group should demonstrate exemplary sportsmanship, exceed normal expectations, and has overcome adversity or a challenging circumstance. The award may be given in recognition of specific act or for an activity of longer duration. . The winner of the Roger Dearing Heart of the Arts Award will be submitted to the National Federation of State High School Athletic Associations (NFHS) as the FHSAA’s nomination for the NFHS Heart of the Arts Award.
About the FHSAA
The Florida High School Athletic Association supervises and regulates interscholastic athletic programs for high school students at member public, private and charter schools. The organization also recognizes and honors academic achievement among student-athletes at over 800 middle, junior and senior high schools statewide. Headquartered in Gainesville, it is the official governing body for interscholastic athletics in Florida.