Shelton Students Named SCC Scholar Athletes of the Month

Shelton’s Michael Lynders and Laurel Bailey were among the 15 student-athletes from eight high schools to be named The SportsCenter of Connecticut/Southern Connecticut Conference Scholar Athletes of the Month for October.

Now in its ninth year, The SportsCenter of Connecticut/SCC Scholar Athlete of the Month program will honor outstanding young men and women each month during the 2014-15 academic year.

“Many thanks to the Sports Center of Connecticut for its support of the SCC and the Scholar Athlete of the Month program,” SCC Commissioner Al Carbone said. “This conference has been proud of its success for the last 20-plus years, and to be able to recognize outstanding young men and women who demonstrate the desire and ability to succeed solidifies what the SCC is all about.”

Each SCC member school gets two honorees per season (fall, winter and spring). The Conference will announce the fall recipients in September, October and November.

Student athletes who are selected must be a varsity letter-winner and have a 3.0/B average while demonstrating leadership qualities such as: being a positive role model; helping teammates overcome adversity; showing a commitment to self-improvement; or putting the needs of the team before themselves.

Sports Center of CT/SCC Scholar Athlete of the Month recipients and receive a certificate, commemorative T-shirt and a SportsCenter of Connecticut activity pass.

A three-sport (cross country, indoor and outdoor track) standout for the Gaels, Lynders has been an exemplary performer in the classroom.

A CAPT and AP Scholar, Lynders ranks fourth (out of 382 students) in his class and holds a 99.48 grade-point average. A National Merit Scholar commended student, Lynders is a member of the Spanish Honor Society. He serves as captain of the Robotics Team and participates on the Yale Physics Olympic team.

“Mike is a great example of the true meaning of a student athlete,” Shelton cross country coach Michael Gambardella said. “He has done an awesome job at balancing the demands of a high academic load and athletics.”

A three-sport (soccer, indoor and outdoor track) standout for the Gaels, Bailey has been a top performer in the classroom. A CAPT Scholar, she ranks 34th in a class of 382 students, and sports a 95.0 grade-point average.

A member of the World Language Honor Society, Bailey is a member of the French Club and Make-A-Difference Club (she is President).

On the soccer field, she recently earned SCC All-Housatonic Division honors for the second consecutive year.

“Laurel sets high standards for herself, both in the classroom, on the soccer field and on the track,” Shelton girls’ soccer coach Marvin Miller said. “Her consistently strong success in each of these areas reflects her hard work, dedication to task and results.”

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