Colorado University Athletics
2011-12 Grand Prize Winning Attitude Announced
BOULDER - Sixth grader Mathew Martinez has been chosen as the Grand Prize winner of the Winning Attitude essay contest, earning Ranum Middle School $3,500 from CenturyLink and a full-fledged pep rally from the University of Colorado and ROOT SPORTS.
Martinez wrote his essay about his life experiences and writes, "My goal in life is to make a difference in the lives of other children of alcoholics." He writes about how he turned his academic career around and that he "learned to love [his] dad, but hate his addiction." Martinez speaks at conferences about addiction and even participated in a segment on Nick News with Linda Ellerbee.
Drew Goodman from ROOT SPORTS will be the master of ceremonies for the pep rally at Ranum Middle School Thursday afternoon and will be joined by CU athletic director, Mike Bohn, ROOT SPORTS senior vice president and general manager Tim Griggs and CenturyLink vice president and general manager, Scott Russell.
Winning Attitude was developed by CenturyLink, ROOT SPORTS and the University of Colorado to recognize Colorado middle school students that make a difference in their communities. A winning attitude is about being a leader by taking initiative to make your community better - in the classroom, on the field or in your neighborhood. During the 2011-2012 contest, 350 middle school students from across Colorado submitted essays explaining how they've exhibited a winning attitude. Ten winners were chosen and received $1,000 donations from CenturyLink to their schools and were hosted by CU at home football and basketball games. Five of the winners were interviewed live on-air during the basketball season by ROOT SPORTS and shared with viewers how they contributed to the community. One winner is chosen as the Grand Prize winner, receiving an additional $2,500 from CenturyLink for the school and a pep rally complete with CU student-athletes, coaches, cheerleaders, the pep band, CU's mascot, Chip and ROOT SPORTS personalities.
The Winning Attitude program has just completed its sixth year honoring outstanding middle school students in Colorado.