December 30, 2024

Newton High receives NIAAA Quality Program Award

By Jocelyn Sheets

Newton High School was the recipient of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association’s Quality Program Award at the Exemplary level. It is one of the highest honors the NIAAA bestows upon its member schools. The award was announced last week in Orlando, Fla., and presented to NHS athletic director Scott Garvis. Garvis, middle back row, and a group of students presented the award to NHS principal Bill Peters, left, Friday at halftime of the boys’ varsity basketball game. Students presenting the award were, left to right, Reagan Maple, Alex Hutchinson, Grace Coen, Chet Adams, Taylor Shipley, Fran Lucas, Courtney Jacobsen and Logan Heisdorffer. (Jocelyn Sheets)

One of the best aspects of Scott Garvis’ job as Newton High’s athletic director is representing the students. A week ago in Orlando, Fla., Newton High’s students, coaches, faculty and community were recognized with a national award.

Newton High School and its high school athletic and activities program were the 2015 recipient of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association’s Quality Program Award at the Exemplary level. It is one of the highest honors the NIAAA bestows upon its member schools.

Newton is the first high school recognized in the state of Iowa with this prestigious award.

“I was proud to accept the award on behalf of our students, coaches, sponsors, booster clubs and community,” Garvis said. “It is a testament to all of those people who work to provide our students quality programming.”

The NIAAA initiated the quality program award to recognize and commend excellence in the implementation and administration of outstanding high school activity programs.

Each school is judged on 10 criteria including philosophy, educational compatibility, mentoring, safety and risk management, access and equity, budget and fundraising, personnel and program assessment, technology, sports medicine and innovation and creativity.

Garvis said Newton has a rich history and dedication to excellence in educationally-based athletics. He said the NHS students pride themselves in their community service work as well as their work in school activities.

“We have great students, coaches and sponsors, administration and a great community which supports our students,” Garvis said. “This award recognizes all the work done, and the innovation and vision, to provide Newton students with the best activities. We have tremendous booster clubs for music and athletics. Our students’ parents also have an important role in all of this.”

A group of students and Garvis presented the NIAAA Quality Program Award to NHS principal Bill Peters Friday at halftime of the Newton-Dallas Center-Grimes boys’ varsity basketball game.

“I’m very excited and honored for our school,” Peters said. “This award is due to the hard work by Scott Garvis, our coaches, our students and all the support staff providing our students with quality programs. The students make it all work.”

Newton High’s athletic and activities program will be featured in the NIAAA IAA Magazine and on the NIAAA website.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535
or jsheets@newtondailynews.com