Best of the Week: Teaching to the Future

ST. ED'S ANNOUNCES TEON SMITH '19 AS MAN OF THE YEAR FOR THE CLASS OF 2019

Every year since 1956, St. Edward High School has singled out one outstanding Edsman from each graduating class and has presented him with the St. Edward High School Man of the Year Award, the highest honor that St. Ed's can bestow on a student. The Man of the Year Award recognizes an extraordinary young man who has demonstrated dedication to improving himself and the community. The Man of the Year Award candidate is a student who consistently displays the positive, caring attitude of a well-rounded Christian young man who upholds our Holy Cross values and has the competence to see and the courage to act in today's world. Dan Conway '19, Alex Hauptman '19, Jack Loesch '19, Rami Moussa '19 and Teon Smith '19 were this year's Man of the Year nominees and on Wednesday night at the Academic Awards Night Ceremony President Jim Kubacki announced Teon Smith as the Man of the Year for the Class of 2019.

Teon Smith, son of Tracy Green and Teon Smith, will be attending Boston College this fall to major in Finance and Economics. While at St. Ed's, Teon exhibited leadership as Football Team Captain, Retreat Leader, Get the Edge Counselor and as a leader for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Teon's versatility in extracurricular activities ranges from Diversity Club and the Student Minister Advisory Board to Liturgical Choir and Stage Crew for this past spring's production of Jekyll & Hyde. As a well-rounded student athlete, Teon has played for St. Ed's Football, Rugby, Wrestling and Track and Field programs and was a starter for the 2018 St. Edward Football Champions last fall. Teon has also exemplified what it means to be a servant leader through his participation with Young Neighbors in Action, St. Ed's Produce Distribution through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and Eagles on Foot in addition to his service throughout the Cleveland community at St. Malachi, St. Vitus, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Look Up to Cleveland, the Salvation Army and the West Side Catholic Center. As both a St. Joseph Scholar and Forward Scholar as well, Teon is a wonderful example of what it means to be an Edsman.

"The four pillars of Holy Cross have taught me a lot and I've learned that true excellence is achieved through discipline and effort. Through my servant leadership, I've learned to accommodate the needs of others before myself and I've become humbled by the blessing that I have," says Teon. "Throughout my time at St. Ed's, I had to step out of my comfort zone and open myself to new perspectives. With the new relationships I've made throughout these four years, I've learned important life skills that I will carry with me for life. Through my experiences at St. Ed's, I've realized that anything is possible."

Congratulations to Teon for being honored with this year's Man of the Year Award!