St. George’s class of 2021 graduate Wes Smith was known for his leadership, integrity and enthusiasm. The first winner of the Wes Smith Leadership Award, Jack Wolaver, exemplifies these qualities.
“I’m mainly just honored…[Smith’s] parents were there, which made it extra special, so it was just a very special moment,” Wolaver said after receiving the award in late August.
Wolaver was chosen for his vocal leadership and his strong work ethic.
“We ask Jack to do something he gets it done. He is the kid that’s going to show up… He led by example and…was a vocal leader in trying to bring everybody up,” said Mr. Andrew Atkins, head football coach.
The award was created in the spring of 2024 to carry forward Wes Smith’s legacy of unselfish leadership. The award goes to a junior or senior varsity football player chosen by the coaching staff, with the winner receiving a patch to wear on his jersey and the choice to wear Smith’s number if they are in a skill position.
Wolaver received the award at the first team dinner of the year, which was attended by teams from 5th grade all the way up to high school.
Ms. Michelle York, St. George’s Athletic Director, said that Wes was a tremendous student-athlete who embodied qualities such as integrity, teamwork and leadership ability. The winner of the award, Wolaver, shares these qualities.
“I think one thing that I would reiterate was that Jack was chosen because he already embodies these character traits,” Ms. York said. “I think some people think he was chosen, so he can embody them or be Wes to the team. We’re not asking him to be Wes to the team, we’re asking him to be himself.”
The goal of this award is to impact not only the recipient but also the lives of future Gryphons.
“Obviously to receive the award you’re already a student leader. You’re already a great teammate, but there’s something about receiving something like this at a critical stage in life that inspires that leadership to continue,” said Head of School Mr. Luke Pruett. “It’s fun to think about 20 years of the Wes Smith number being passed down…it starts as micro with a single recipient, but it becomes 20, 40, you know. It becomes a lot of people whose lives individually are impacted.”
It’s been just over a year since the tragic loss of Wes Smith from the St. George’s community, but the impact that he made lives on even further now through Jack Wolaver and the winners that will follow after him.