The Scholar Athlete Award goes to students who excel both in the classroom, and on the playing field, or in Jordan Singer, senior’s, case, the field, court, and track. Singer was selected for the Scholar Athlete award for his excellence in the athletic department and exemplary grades.

Singer plays soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter, and runs track in the spring. Even though some may think his year round after school commitments would negatively affect his grades, Singer’s 4.25 GPA and ACT score of 34 prove them wrong.

“Jordan is extremely naturally smart,” Ryan Marks, senior and friend of Singer’s, said. “He was born with gifts.”

Singer is currently enrolled in AP Language Arts, AP biology, AP economy, and AP statistics in addition to playing three different sports during the school year.

“I think I am stronger academically,” Singer said. “I love playing sports but it’s not what I want to do with the rest of my life.”

However, Singer said to win the award you have to work hard in both areas. He has played sports his whole life and said he knows the kind of commitment they need.

“He works really hard in the off season,” Marks said. “He also has abilities that you can’t create.”

When Athletic Director Mark Linneman, pulled Singer out of class to deliver the news, Singer said he tried thinking of all the things he could be in trouble for, not expecting to win the award in the slightest.

“I was surprised when I found out,” Singer said. “I know there were lots of people nominated.”

Every Missouri high school has its own Post-Dispatch Scholar Athlete. Linneman said selection for the award is a process. First he contacts every coach at MHS, whether they are the head or assistant, to receive nominations. In order to be eligible for the honor, the student must be in the top 25 percent of the Senior Class. After the nominations are narrowed down, only head coaches participate in the final vote.

“We really focus on both academics and athletics,” Linneman said. “We don’t just pick the student with the highest GPA or class rank who happens to play a sport and we don’t pick the best athlete who happens to have good grades.”

Singer fits both categories of the award, playing on a two time District Championship basketball team, all Conference soccer team, and was named to the 2012 Missouri Basketball Coaches Association’s Academic All-State team.

Linneman said Singer was a prime candidate for the Scholar Athlete award because he has exhibited excellence in both aspects.

“Jordan was an excellent representative for Marquette,” Linneman said. “What’s really impressive about Jordan is that he is a three sport athlete and has done very well in all three.”