Maggie Moore
Greeneville Middle School seventh-grader Maggie Moore, a dedicated multi-sport athlete, recently received the NFHS Student-Athlete Award of Excellence for her compassionate response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Maggie excels in both academics and athletics, competing in soccer, basketball, track, and cross country. She values both competition and building relationships with her teammates.
The hurricane brought significant flooding to Greeneville and surrounding areas, leaving many families without homes. Recognizing the need in her community, Maggie used her connection to the running community to organize a sock drive. Leveraging the state cross country championship meet in Clarksville, where she was a participant, Maggie reached out to fellow runners and coaches through MileSplit, requesting sock donations. The response was overwhelming.
Athletes and their families from across Tennessee donated enough socks to fill three vehicles. Even after the meet, donations continued to pour in, with Maggie’s porch overflowing with packages from individuals who wanted to contribute. Maggie distributed the thousands of collected socks to various organizations serving those impacted by the flooding.
Maggie’s initiative demonstrates how student-athletes, even at the middle school level, can use their platform to make a positive impact beyond the field of competition. A dedicated athlete across multiple sports, she understands the value of teamwork and community, which she successfully translated into this impactful service project. Her act of kindness reminds us that even small gestures can have a significant effect on those in need.
We encourage all student-athletes to follow Maggie’s example and consider how they might contribute to their communities. Setting a positive example in school-based athletics promotes a culture of caring and strengthens the bonds within our communities.
Nominate a student in your school today! Please use the form linked below to share a story about a student-athlete you know who has demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship, integrity, and ethics. If you have any questions about the award or the nomination process, please contact Courtney Brunetz (cbrunetz@tssaa.org).
