By DOUG DYER, Sports Editor
ddyer@williamsonherald.com

Two local students with a drive to work hard are the first two recipients of the Williamson Herald/John Maher Scholar Athlete of the Month Award.

Lexi Heileman from Franklin High and Joey Johnson from Page High, both seniors, were chosen among a list of nominees on the merits of their hard work in the classroom in addition to hard work in playing athletics.

“School always has been No. 1 in our family,” Heileman said. “I can’t do anything if my homework’s not done. I like to get things accomplished.”

A self-proclaimed “nerd,” Heileman also was a standout soccer player for the Lady Rebels soccer team at Franklin, which perennially is one of the top programs in the state. She was part of the 2002 and ’03 teams that won back-to-back Class AAA State Championships.

Off the field she served as the student body vice-president at Franklin, won the Sewanee Award of Excellence and has been listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Students. She is involved in First Priority and the Harpeth Community Church praise band as well.

Johnson is an honor student at Page, who also plays the post on the Patriots boys’ basketball team. He also tries to find the balance between school and athletics but said academics always comes first and anything after that is a bonus.

“You’re not allowed to play unless you keep your grades up,” he said. “So I always set aside time to get my work done. My parents always are telling me to do my work. They’ve always been hard on me about that.

“Sports are fun, but you have to get your future in order.”

Johnson averaged over 10 points a game for Page during the 2005-06 season, helping the Patriots advance to the Region 5-AA Tournament.

To submit nominations for the John Maher Scholar Athlete of the Month Award, log onto williamsonherald.com and click on the John Maher Builders logo 

Posted on: 5/21/2006