Courtesy of Hoover City Schools
2014 Finley Award Winners
The winners of the 2014 Finley Awards.
This month, the Finley Committee for Character Education recognized an employee and two graduating seniors from Hoover City Schools who exemplify good character with the 2014 Finley Awards. This year's recipients were Spain Park High School Coach Michael Zelwak, Spain Park senior Will Freeman and Hoover High School senior Chandler Fullman.
Hoover City Schools winner: Spain Park teacher Michael Zelwak
Michael Zelwak might be a New Jersey native, but he’s been in Hoover long enough to know the legacy of legendary W.A. Berry High School Coach Bob Finley.
“Mr. Finley was a great man from what I know. Being a part of Hoover City Schools you hear about him and the history he left and his legacy,” Zelwak said.
Today, Zelwak continued that legacy being named the Hoover City Schools 2014 Finley Award winner. The announcement came in a surprise ceremony that included his wife Anne, daughter Leighton, extended family, friends, colleagues and others.
“Just to be considered [for the Finley Award] is an honor,” Zelwak said. “To win it is actually probably one of the highlights of my teaching career.”
Zelwak, who teaches 11th grade English, also serves as Spain Park High School’s Cross Country coach as well as the coach of the indoor and outdoor track teams. He’s been at the school 10 years. He came to Alabama to attend UAB, with aspirations of a career in the medical field. It was there he met his future wife Anne –and changed course from medicine to education.
“Michael is very outgoing, which makes life with him exciting. He loves what he does,” Anne Zelwak said. “That’s probably the thing that impresses me the most about him.”
Anne joined members of the Finley Committee for Character Education, principal Dr. Ken Jarnagin, Superintendent Andy Craig and others Monday morning for a surprise ceremony in the school’s library.
“I think he was completely surprised,” Anne said. “It was hard to keep it from him [this morning].”
Zelwak’s surprise was evident as he accepted the award — the single-biggest accolade bestowed by the school system each year. For him, having family on hand made the experience all the better
“I always try to etch out some spare time for my family, which is a balancing act but it’s something that’s been very rewarding to give me some down time away from school and away from coaching.”
Spain Park High winner: senior Will Freeman
Spain Park High senior Will Freeman knew something was up when principal Dr. Ken Jarnagin came to escort him out of first period. They walked down the hall to the school’s elevator, presumably headed to a meeting downstairs.
“I was actually just impressed that I was in the elevator,” Freeman said. “I’ve never been in it before — kinda like V.I.P. treatment. I knew something big was going to happen.”
Freeman, a nationally-ranked swimmer, is no stranger to the spotlight. However, he was taken aback at the sight just outside the elevator doors. There stood his family, friends, coaches and the Superintendent of Hoover City Schools. That group, along with members of the Finley Committee for Character Education, were all there to announce Freeman as the 2014 Spain Park High School Finley Award winner.
“I honestly never thought I would be here — be the winner. I used to see other kids get this award and I thought to myself, ‘Wow, this is a bar I can never get to,’” Freeman said. “Now that I’m here, it’s like people are looking up to me. That’s interesting.”
The 18-year-old swimming standout has a full academic and athletic scholarship to the University of Alabama. He’s received numerous academic and athletic accolades over the course of his high school career, most recently being named a national finalist for the Wendy’s High School Heisman. As one of 12 in the U.S., Freeman was recognized at the Heisman ceremony in New York City this past December.
Freeman's athletic stats are impressive. He is a three-year Varsity Letter Winner, MVP and All-State member.
In addition, Freeman is: State Champion in 200-meter freestyle; school, league and state record and NISC; High School All-American in the 200-meter freestyle (1:38:22); school and league record and NISCA High School All-American in the 500-meter freestyle (4:30:34); six-time high school state champion in the 200-meter and 500-meter freestyle; holds 28 individual team records for the Birmingham Swim League; and Southeastern Swimming 15-16 boys record in the 200-meter freestyle (1:38:22).
Beyond the national spotlight, perhaps he’s most proud of his accomplishments at his soon-to-be alma mater. During his junior year, he joined the Spain Park High School Honor Council — a group befitting a Finley Award winner.
“[Our council] actually drafted a code of academic integrity this past summer, and we have been trying to implement it throughout the school,” Freeman said.
Fullman, Freeman and Zelwak will all be celebrated March 20 at the Finley Awards Banquet, held at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center on U.S. 280. The annual celebration featured the recognition of the three winners, in addition to grade-level character award winners from each Hoover school in grades kindergarten through 12th.
The Finley Committee for Character Education was created in 1996. Its current chairman is Jeff Dance. The committee hosts events throughout the year to recognize students who exhibit exceptional character, in the spirit of Coach Bob Finley — the committee’s/banquet’s namesake. Longtime coach/educator at W.A. Berry High School (the original Hoover High), Finley led by example and was known for his calm demeanor, integrity and strong faith.
