Pioneer’s Garrett Schroder named Ress Mental Attitude Award winner

At the conclusion of the state championship game, the IHSAA Executive Committee named Garrett Schroder of Pioneer Junior-Senior High School as the winner of the Blake Ress Mental Attitude Award in Class 1A Football.
The Panthers’ team captain has helped lead his team to four sectional championships, three regionals and three semi-state titles. Schroder is a two-time First Team All-Conference and Academic All-Conference selection, excelling in the classroom as well ranking No. 11 in his class of 75. He also has participated on the swimming, track and field and golf teams for Pioneer. Garrett is also active in extracurricular activities at school, being a member of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Students and Pep Club. In addition, the Homecoming King is actively involved in the community with 4-H and his Church Youth Group and volunteering for such worthy causes as Royal Center Fire Station Pancake and Sausage Breakfasts, National Honor Society Food Drive and the Salvation Army Bell Ringer.
Garrett is the son of Ed and Kim Schroder of Royal Center, IN. He plans to enlist in the United States Air Force for four years and will attend college after his commitment to this branch of our armed services.
Each year the IHSAA Executive Committee selects a senior player who was nominated by his principal and coach and was determined to have best demonstrated mental attitude, scholarship, leadership, and athletic ability. This Class 1A award is named in honor of the IHSAA’s seventh commissioner who served from 2000-11.
The Indianapolis Colts presented a $1,000 scholarship to Pioneer Junior-Senior High School in the name of Garrett Schroder. The Colts have been the presenting sponsor of the entire football state tournament since 2009, including the mental attitude awards.