Armstrong Student Named Finalist for Jeremiah Program Legacy Award
Some students are leaders in the classroom, while others excel at athletics. Ty Sims does both.
“I hold myself to a high standard, I always want to be a good student on the field, off the field, in school, out of school,” the Armstrong freshman and Golden Valley resident told CCX News.
As a track and field sprinter, he’s always pushing himself.
“I like learning new techniques and getting feedback from my teammates to tell me what I could be doing better,” he said.
His coaches think he has potential.
“I like him, I like him a lot, like what he’s doing,” said Derek Fisher, Armstrong’s track coach. “Very hard working, you know. For a ninth grader to come in an contribute is tough, but, he’s on that border line of you, in question of being a varsity athlete some day in the future.”
On the sidelines of every track meet, his mother Lavasha Smith is his cheerleader.
“I’m very proud — he’s doing a lot, I’m very proud,” she said. “I’m always on the sidelines yelling and rooting for him and recording. So it just makes me very proud to see him, what he’s doing now.”
Sims says his mother has helped him shine on the track and in the classroom.
“Through all my low moments where I’m not at a grade I want to be at, she pushes me to keep going and don’t worry about,” he said. “At the end of the day, you’ve still got more time to get a better higher grade.”
Low grades aren’t an issue he faces too often. In fact, he likes to lend a helping hand, tutoring other students in math.
“Come to me when you’re stuck or when you need help, and then I can break it down, explain it to you [to] the best of my ability,” he said.
Ty Sims stretches before track and field practice. He’s a finalist for the Jeremiah Program’s Legacy Award
Things haven’t always been easy for the family, but they’ve had some help from the Jeremiah Program.
“It’s a program to help single mothers,” Smith said. “They help with housing, help continue to pursue their education, as well help with child care, so they really come from a two generation approach supporting the mothers and the children of the program as well.”
And Sims is now a finalist for the program’s Legacy Award. It recognizes children who’s mothers participated in the program and are making an impact on their community.
It was an unexpected honor for Sims.
“I thought I was going to apply and, ‘oh you didn’t win, maybe next year,'” he said. “I wasn’t actually expecting, like, to become a finalist so, it was surprising to me, and I really enjoyed the experience.”
Winners receive up to $10,000 for their future education plans. Sims is considering going to culinary school at Hennepin Technical College, but hasn’t made any final decisions.
Armstrong High School
