Jay’s Sporting Goods: Good Citizen Award - Farwell’s Keegan Rohdy
By: Eric Dion
Keegan Rohdy is an astounding athlete, both on the gridiron and on the track. When he dons the Purple colors, he works as hard as he can and competes with pride in his team and his community. When he puts on the football pads, he is a warrior beast who does not give up or give in. He is in his senior year, and looks to be Farwell’s leading rusher, with plans of dominating the Jack Pine Conference with his hard-nosed running style. When he is donning the thinclad uniform, he is similar to greased lightning shot out of a cannon. Keegan has a gear in him that he can shift to in order to rise above his competition, or roll over them. When he puts his sights on a target or goal, he is hard to stop, and is rarely deterred. Keegan also has pride in his accomplishments off the field as well, and was happy to share his experiences with us both in and out of the realm of sports.
Jack Pine Tribune: What is your favorite sports memory?
Keegan Rohdy: My favorite memory to date is breaking my own 100-meter record last spring. I originally broke it my freshman year.
JPT: Who is your favorite coach and why?
KR: My favorite coach would probably be TJ Staley. He believes in me and what I can do. He is always there for me to push me to my limits to make me a better all around athlete. In addition, the most influential person throughout my athletic career would be Kap Paesens. He has been there for me as my friend and my athletic trainer. Without him, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
JPT: Who are some of your favorite teammates and why?
KR: I really don’t have a favorite teammate. We all support each other. Throughout the years, Jacob Turner and I have always been there to push each other to be better.
JPT: What is your favorite activity outside of sports?
KR: I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I like to lift weights, hunt, and listen to music.
JPT: What organizations or groups do you belong to?
KR: I belong to the National Honor Society, yearbook, school newspaper, and the NYC fundraiser committee.
JPT: What is your favorite community service that you do, and why?
KR: My favorite community service is Project Christmas because I know that by doing this I am helping others in need.
JPT: How do you feel your involvement in sports has affected your outlook on community service?
KR: Participating in sports has helped me develop better communication skills, leadership, and character. Through athletics, I volunteer a great deal of my time with youth camps, fundraisers, and promotional events.
JPT: Given the opportunity, what community service project would you like to do in the future?
KR: I would like to get involved in the Make a Wish Foundation to help those with unfortunate circumstances make a dream come true.
For anyone who is not aware of what project Christmas is, the group does fundraisers and benefits to give a Christmas to the needy. Keegan may be a monster in pads, or a fierce warrior on the track, but he puts the same passion and desire into giving back to others; and is looking to help make his community and the world a better place. This young man is proof that a high caliber athlete who works hard cannot only accomplish a goal, but can exceed it by beating your own record that you set in previous years. By putting that mindset into his community service work, Keegan will stand out in his community and abroad. Perhaps someday we may see a by line with his name on it in the pages of the Jack Pine Tribune, after all of his sports and community accolades are done. On the other hand, perhaps he will go on to greater things, taking the teachings from the National Honor Society and help our Country in some form or another. He could even go on to be a College track phenomenon or Football hero from the small village of Farwell. One thing is for certain, Keegan Rohdy is destined for great things, and he will soon find out that giving your time and efforts in your community will pay great dividends some day.
