GREELEY - Qwest, FSN Rocky Mountain and the University of Colorado awarded Franklin Middle School (Greeley, Colo.) eighth grader Cole Smith with the “Winning Attitude” grand prize during a pep rally at the school on Tuesday.
Franklin Middle School received a $2,500 contribution from Qwest, in addition to the $1,000 that Qwest presented to the school when Smith became a finalist. In addition, Smith and Franklin Middle School principal Sue Thornburgh were presented authentic CU football jerseys by CU coach Dan Hawkins.
Hawkins talked to the Franklin Middle School student body about the importance of believing in themselves and knowing they can accomplish anything no matter what circumstances they encounter during their lives.
Smith showed his Winning Attitude by playing as a Unified Sports Partner on his older brother’s Special Olympics basketball team. The younger Smith has been a Unified Sports Partner with Special Olympics Colorado for six years. On the brink of a losing season for a third consecutive year, Smith encouraged his teammates to give 110 percent for the upcoming Special Olympics Summer Games held at the University of Northern Colorado. He promoted sportsmanship by sharing the basketball with his teammates and cheering on the opposing team during the games. After losing 12 straight games, Smith and his Special Olympics team eventually won the gold medal game. Smith feels they won because of good sportsmanship and strong confidence. Smith was honored as a finalist during halftime of the Colorado vs. West Virginia football game on Thurs., Oct. 18.
This is the third year Qwest, FSN and CU have come together to honor middle school students around Colorado for the differences they make in their communities by providing outstanding efforts in sportsmanship, community involvement and teamwork. Ten winning entrants and their classmates earned a trip to either a CU home football game at Folsom Field or a men’s basketball home game and a $1,000 contribution for their school from Qwest.
