One of Holy Family High School’s own was named winner of a prestigious state award this year. David Sommers was one of two to take home the 2014 Fred Steinmark High School Athlete of the Year award for his accomplishments on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
The Broomfield graduate is the 45th winner of the state award given to a senior who excelled throughout their high school career. The other winner of the 2014 award was Elise Cranny of Niwot High School.
Sommers reportedly said he was honored to win the award that was first given to Dave Logan, a graduate of Wheat Ridge High School and the University of Colorado and played for the Denver Broncos.
It is named after Steinmark, who was a scholar, athlete and citizen. He graduated from Wheat Ridge High School and played in football, basketball and baseball. He also helped the Texas Longhorns football team win the college football national title in 1969 before succumbing to cancer a year later.
Sommers also excelled in sports at Holy Family, earning all-state and all-league honors in both football and basketball. The college-bound senior was also recognized as the male athlete of the year by Holy Family and graduated with a 4.05 GPA.
Sommers volunteered for Food Bank of the Rockies, North Denver Cares Food Panty and St. Francis Center Food Kitchens, among others.
“Fred Steinmark showed courage and positivity even after all that happened to him physically,” Sommers wrote in his application. “He never thought of himself first, he always thought of others. I believe that I’ve done that during the last four years through all my work at local food banks in my community …”
Sommers was selected by a group of high school coaches and administrators for the award, sponsored by the Colorado High School Coaches Association. He is the first Holy Family graduate to win the award.