The Hawk Eye
Much like chemical elements, it is how one reacts to pressure that largely will determine who they become.
Exposed to just the right amount of pressure, oxygen becomes a scarlet solid and sulfur becomes an electrical conductor. Under extreme pressures, carbon atoms bond together and form crystals to create diamonds.
The same may be said about The Hawk Eye s All-Area Citizen Scholar class of 2021. These students have taken in stride a year of pandemic-induced anxieties and uncertainties, along with everything else that comes with high school and human fragility, while managing to excel academically and extracurricularly as well as give back to their community regardless of the obstacles faced.
Introducing The Hawk Eye s Citizen Scholar Class of 2021
The Hawk Eye
Each year, The Hawk Eye asks schools in southeast Iowa and west central Illinois to nominate three students for the Bill Mertens Citizen Scholar Award.
While eachnominee is worthy of the Citizen Scholar title, only one from each school can be selected for a chance at a $1,000 scholarship, named for The Hawk Eye s late publisher who established it in 2001, the third year of the Citizen Scholars program.
The winner will be announced May 30.
The minimum requirement for consideration was a 3.5 grade-point average. Nominees also were expected to demonstrate a four-year career of active engagement in the life of their school and community through participation and leadership in extra-curricular activities, as well as participation in events and organizations beyond their classroom walls in the places where they live.
It’s conference Saturday for Iowa High School Wrestling teams and a few area squads will travel to Letts for the Southeast Iowa Super Conference meet.
Columbus Community, Highland, and WACO are area teams that will be competing for a conference title. The Wildcats are riding high after sweeping a quadrangular at L&M on Thursday. Lane Scorpil was the headliner winning both of his matches at 120 lbs by a pin in 15 seconds and 1:05. The junior has recorded a 35-1 record and should compete for a conference title. Chance Malone has been dominant at 285 lbs with a 30-3 mark.
Highland also competed in Thursday’s quad and went 2-1 in duals with their only loss coming to the Wildcats. Easton Schlabaugh showed no mercy in his three matches winning by a 21-0 technical fall, 16-1 tech fall, and a 9-4 decision at 113 lbs. The sophomore is 30-4 on the campaign and Bryce Thompson is 24-3 at 120 lbs.