Lapel’s Steele wins Red Haven Award
May 17, 2011
Lapel’s Steele wins Red Haven Award
Bulldogs senior takes honor for success on field, in class
By Rick Teverbaugh
The Herald Bulletin
ANDERSON, Ind. — Leah Steele parlayed her four-sport athletic career, along with top-ranked academics and strong community involvent into becoming the Red Haven Award winner on Tuesday.
She is the 40th winner of the award and the third from Lapel. The trophy was presented during a luncheon at The Edgewood by the Anderson Noon Exchange Club.
Steele earned letters in cross country, track, basketball and volleyball. She is a past Herald Bulletin Runner of the Year and is ranked first academically in her class of 88 students.
Despite those credentials she was surprised when her name was announced. “I thought there were still some people to be announced,” said Steele, as each of the nominees who didn’t win the overall award are announced before the Red Haven winner. “I think all of us are here because we’ve done something special. Each one of the nominees was just as qualified as me.”
The other nominees were: Alexandria’s Katie Muey, Anderson’s Jordan Eddy, Elwood’s Derek Wells, Frankton’s Allison Browning, Liberty Christian’s Erika Lindley and Pendleton Heights’ Molly Craig.
It was difficult to tell whether it was Steele or her Lapel school supporters who enjoyed the announcement the most.
“This is so well-deserved,” said Lapel athletic director Jimmie Howell. “She is as strong a candidate as we’ve ever had. Those things that are listed that she’s done, she’s done more than once or twice.”
Kevin Brattain, who coached Steele in basketball, was a bit choked up when talking about her. “I always felt I been fortunate to have had the cream of the crop,” he said. “She’s one of the best I’ve ever been involved with. She’s a great kid to be around. She always gives everything she has every day.”
Steele is closing in on the end of a busy and productive prep career. But that finality hasn’t quite hit yet.
“Maybe it will after I run (in Tuesday night’s track sectional),” she said. “Athletics has been such a big part of my life that maybe that’s when it will hit me. If not I’m sure it will on graduation day.”
She volunteers with the Lapel Youth Commission and as an Optimist Club volleyball coach. She has received the 2011 Lilly Endowment Scholarship and will attend Purdue to pursue a nursing career.
Steele will receive a pair of $500 scholarships from The Anderson Noon Exchange Club and The Herald Bulletin.
The guest speaker for the event was Kyle Morey, president and CEO of the Madison County Chamber of Commerce. He challenge the nominees to look forward toward their own funeral and asked them, “What will people say about you there?”
Morey encouraged them to “Think big, act big. It can change people’s lives. If you think bigger, you can act bigger.”
