Tyler Koonin, senior at Mount Tabor High School, has been awarded the 2025-26 Jerry McGee Endowed Scholarship. Tyler has defined his legacy through a remarkable balance of academic excellence and athletic leadership. Carrying a 4.391 GPA and serving as a three-year captain of the varsity baseball team, Tyler has long been a pillar of the Spartans’ program. However, his true character was tested during his junior year when he was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare cancer in his knee. The diagnosis and subsequent surgeries forced him to miss an entire season, but he approached his rehabilitation with the same relentless discipline he honed on the field.
Beyond his personal recovery, Tyler’s impact extends deep into the Winston-Salem community. He serves as an ambassador for the “Stroll Into Light” mental health initiative and has dedicated three years to mentoring youth as a YMCA basketball coach. Whether he is leading an Alzheimer’s fundraiser or maintaining his status in the National Honor Society, Tyler’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance. As he prepares to continue his academic and athletic career at Robeson Community College, he leaves behind a culture of strength and service at Mount Tabor that will inspire his teammates and peers for years to come.
Gunnar Douglass, senior at West Forsyth High School, has been awarded the 2026 Flo Sports Indoor Track & Field Scholarship. Gunnar has built a high school career defined by discipline, service, and athletic excellence. As a captain of the Indoor Track & Field team, Gunnar’s dedication has earned him All-Conference honors and back-to-back individual state qualifications in his junior and senior seasons.
In addition to track, he is a four-year member of the JROTC program, where he received multiple outstanding honors. Gunnar is also active in his community, participating in several food drives and playing a key role in the Titan Trainers program, where he provided tours to new students to help them get acclimated to the school. Described by his teachers as a leader who motivates others by pushing himself when no one is watching, Gunnar is set to bring that same work ethic to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. There, he will continue his running career while pursuing a degree in business.
