The New York State Public High School Athletic Association recently announced the 2019-20 Scholar-Athlete School of Distinction winners and Elwood-John H. Glenn High School made the list once again.

The school district congratulates the student-athletes who worked hard not only on the fields but in the classrooms as well. To be recognized for the prestigious designation, each of the high school’s varsity teams earned a “Scholar-Athlete Team Award,” which requires 100% of the teams’ GPA to have an average of 90% or above.

This year, 56 schools earned the School of Distinction Award — an increase of 21 schools as compared to the 2018-19 school year. This year’s award winners were based on fall 2019 and winter 2020 Scholar-Athlete submissions due to spring 2020 programs being canceled due to the global health crisis.

“We are excited once again to see the numbers of schools honored increase and it is a true testament to the kind of student-athletes we have here in New York State,” NYSPHSAA Executive Director Dr. Robert Zayas wrote in a press release. “We continue to be proud of this program which highlights and celebrates schools that value the importance of academics, as well as athletics. The fact that so many student-athletes thrived in the face of a pandemic this past winter is truly remarkable.”

Athletic Director Dave Shanahan added, “The athletic department and administration is proud of being named a NYSPHSAA School of Distinction for the fourth year in a row. The entire Elwood coaching staff firmly believes that excellence on the field and in the classroom is our top priority. Certainly, earning this award took many long hours of hard work by our student athletes, teachers and the hard work of our parents and community.”