Chelsea’s Jackson “Jackie” Dell was chosen as one of 120 finalists for the prestigious Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Scholar-Athlete Awards for the 2023-24 school year, presented by Farm Bureau Insurance.
In a letter of recommendation from his cross country and track coach Loren Thorburn, the senior was described as a leader and co-captain for the cross country team who “pushed himself and his teammates to continue one of the longest consecutive state meet appearances with 22 – 4th all time.”
Thorburn said he has “witnessed his leadership through a significant transition in our program this past season with the prior head coach leaving at the beginning of the season. Jackie, as co-captain, stepped up his leadership by giving input to bring about changes in practices and team bonding opportunities.”
Individually, Thorburn said, this season Jackie placed 126th at the state meet, which was the cut-off for Academic All-State, and had a season best time as well.
The coach said, “I have watched him lead by example at practices, during competition, in and outside the classroom. Most importantly, Jackie loves running and inspires those around him.”
To be eligible for the award, students must have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.50 (on a 4.0 scale) and previously have won a varsity letter in at least one sport in which the MHSAA sponsors a postseason tournament.
This year, 1,607 applications were received.
Among the many accolades included by Thorburn in his recommendation letter, Dell was named Chelsea’s Southeastern Conference Sportsmanship Award winner.
“Jackie has demonstrated the role of a high achieving student athlete, while leading others,” Thorburn said.
As an athlete, Dell has been a 4-year letter winner in cross country and track, 8x All-Regional Runner in track, All-League in Cross Country and Track multiple years, a varsity member of the Chelsea’s D2 State Meet Runner Up teams in 2021 and 2022.
As a scholar, Dell ranks 20th out of 216 students in his class, has an unweighted Grade Point Average of 3.993, and scored 1460 on the SAT (96th percentile), and has taken four Advanced Placement Classes during high school.
His coach said, “Jackie’s leadership abilities do not stop with athletics and academics. He has been put into leadership roles in the academic realm and in the civic-minded organizations.”
Thornburn cited Dell’s involvement with the Chelsea High School LINK Crew, the CHS National Honor Society, the CHS Interact Club, the CHS Economics Club, and a leader in the CHS Winter Running Club.
During this past season, Jackie was involved with the MREACH, a University of Michigan outreach program that meets at Ross School of Business, to promote action-based learning with a wide-range of high school students on Saturdays.
Plus, Dell works as a Certified Nurse Aide at the Chelsea Retirement Community Memory Care Unit. He cares for patients that have difficulty caring for themselves. “Jackie gives dignity to patients who are in a vulnerable place in their lives. Like with his teammates, opponents, classmates, and patients, he exemplifies the qualities that MHSAA scholarship committee is looking for in my opinion,” Thornburn said.
All applicants will be presented with certificates commemorating their achievement. Additional Scholar-Athlete Award information, including a complete list of scholarship nominees, can be found on the Scholar-Athlete page.
The program, in its 35th year, has recognized student-athletes since the 1989-90 school year and again this winter will honor 32 individuals from MHSAA member schools who participate in at least one sport in which the Association sponsors a postseason tournament.
Farm Bureau Insurance underwrites the Scholar-Athlete Awards and will present a $2,000 scholarship to each recipient. Since the beginning of the program, 928 scholarships have been awarded.
The applications were judged by a 65-member committee of school coaches, counselors, faculty members, administrators and board members from MHSAA member schools. Selection of the 32 scholarship recipients will take place in early February.
