Annually, 911 Driving Schools commits to awarding student-athletes who go above and beyond in honor of former Washington State Patrol Trooper Brett Thompson. Trooper Thompson was an instructor for the school and a 28-year veteran in the Washington State Patrol, tragically lost his life in December 2014 from injuries suffered while offering his services to a stranded motorist. Trooper Brett Thompson has been exemplary and all that he stood for points towards his love for community and his commitment to the education of our future leaders. 

 

The Trooper Brett Thompson/911 Driving School Scholar Athlete Award was created by Joe Giammona, CEO of the Driver Training Group (parent company of 911 Driving Schools) along with Buck and Lisa Mierke of Kent 911 Driving School in memory of Trooper Brett Thompson. Each year they have pledged a $1000 scholarship to a senior football player in our football program at Mount Rainier established on criteria including academic excellence, community involvement, athletic ability, and school leadership. (West Seattle Herald / Highline Times, 2018) 

 

This article will serve as the public announcement for this year’s award candidates and the winner of the Brett Thompson Scholar-Athlete Award. This year’s nominees are Sean Chu and Kenley Nguyen.

 

Sean Chu

 

Kenley Nguyen

 

Both of these young men have given their all during their four years in the Mount Rainier football program and have become pillars in the Des Moines, Washington community and on campus at Mount Rainier. They are both winners, regardless of the winner of this award. They have created a foundation for themselves to build upon and are emphatic in their approach to success in life. The runner-up will receive the Buy Your Book Award, which finances their college books up to $250.00. 

 

Without further ado, congratulations to the winner of the 2023 Trooper Brett Thompson Scholar-Athlete Award - Kenley Nguyen. Kenley has contributed foundationally to the success of the football program at Mount Rainier and has led by example in everything he does, so when he speaks, all listen. Coach Mack states that “Kenley consistently and persistently displays a high degree of integrity, responsibility, and ambition. Kenley is unquestionably a leader, rather than a follower. In addition to those attributes, his peer following alone is concrete proof of his leadership ability. The level of investment he gives to what he does is impeccable. He made an exceptionally positive impact on his peers at Mount Rainier High School during his time here and has made me a believer in him and all that he stands for. He is a marvelous young adult that has helped to change so many people’s lives in a positive way, including my own. Kenley is a pillar of positivity, and it is emitted on a daily basis, and in turn, it has a contagious-like effect on his surroundings and brings light to any environment he is a part of.

He is a most dependable leader and student, as his 3.94 G.P.A. and rank of 18 out of 479 students reflect; He was also admitted into the Pathways for Inclusive Excellence Program at the University of Washington. His good judgment and mature outlook ensure a logical and practical approach to his endeavors. Seeing student-athletes like Kenley’s gradual rise to become the young man he is today and the gentleman of impeccable character that he exemplifies, holds true for why I love having this incredible profession of teaching, coaching, and mentoring.

 

Kenley is utterly deserving and is a cornerstone to what the Mount Rainier Football Program and community is today; He has helped our program evolve and as he continues with his journey of life, he will undoubtedly impact others in the same fashion. The Mount Rainier High School football program expects all student-athletes to put volunteerism into practice and make an impact in the community. We have a variety of events that present an opportunity for community service. Our program places a high degree of importance on developing our student-athletes to their highest potential, inducing an unparalleled work ethic and appetency for achievement along with creating a positive winning atmosphere built on trust, character, attitude, effort, respect, honesty, commitment, and family. We encourage our student-athletes to strive for excellence and embrace challenges, in addition to understanding and accepting their role as an integral part of Mount Rainier High School and the Des Moines, Washington community. We hearten them to be passionate about what they do and never give up. Ultimately, we want to see them evolve to become a family of men and women of impeccable character. Our program has been very successful with our student-athletes, as they volunteer for hundreds of hours of community service while learning valuable life lessons along the way.

 

Kenley Nguyen has gone above and beyond in his commitment to community service and consistently gives his complete effort to the cause. Kenley completed over one hundred community service hours while a part of the Mount Rainier High School football program.

 

Simply stated…He has shown that he is the epitome of what a leader and great community contributor should be.”

 

Congratulation Kenley Nguyen!

 

 

 

For more information on 911 Driving Schools, visit https://911drivingschool.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mount Rainier High School Senior Victor Torres honored with Trooper Brett thompson/911 driving school scholar athlete award. Westside Seattle. (2018, January 23). https://www.westsideseattle.com/highline-times/2018/01/23/mount-rainier-high-school-senior-victor-torres-honored-trooper-brett