Foxborough Academic All Stars Honored At Gillette Stadium

Recently elected Pro Football Hall of Famer and former star Patriots linebacker Andre Tippett urged 171 Foxborough High School students last Thursday at an Academic All Star awards ceremony at Gillette to persevere in their hopes and dreams. "Hope is a way of making dreams a reality," Tippett, who played 12 seasons with the Patriots, set a franchise record for sacks, was a member of the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1980s and earned five consecutive Pro Bowl berths, said at the first New England Patriots/Foxborough High School Academic All Star awards ceremony held in Gillette's Fidelity Investments Clubhouse West overlooking the field.
   
"Don't ever be deterred from your goals and your vision," said Tippett. "You are all champions. Be proud of your name and your integrity, which are the most important possessions you have."
   
The awards ceremony, to be held annually at Gillette, was attended by close to 500 people. Parents, teachers and school administrators were all invited. All Stars in every class were given a personalized football trophy embossed with the Patriots and high school insignias to commemorate the event.
   
The Foxborough Academic All Star Team was proposed by the New England Patriots in partnership with the high school. Students were selected based on the following criteria: seniors who have maintained a 3.4 average during their four years at Foxborough High School; underclass and senior students who have demonstrated significant improvement in grade point average and demonstrated excellent participation and effort in the classroom.
  
At Thursday's awards ceremony, students heard words of encouragement from a variety of speakers: Dan Murphy, Patriots vice president of business development and external affairs, representing Robert Kraft, who was traveling; Foxborough School District Superintendent Dr. Chris Martes; High School Principal Jeff Theodoss; and School Committee member Larry Harrington.
   
"We are proud of your success, and we honor you here today," Murphy told the students. "Your achievements encourage others to perform to the best of their abilities."
   
Dr. Martes and Principal Theodoss both thanked the Patriots for creating a high school partnership that rewards preparation and academic achievement. "Probably no one better exemplifies the ability to be prepared as Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft and the New England Patriots," said Theodoss.  "There is nothing more important than honoring the hard work of students," added Dr. Martes. 
   
School Committee member Harrington praised the parents, teachers and administrators for motivating the students. "Academics need to be celebrated more, and you have provided the motivation for this," he said.
   
All agreed that the cornerstone of the Academic All Star program was the recognition of achievement at all levels-students working to the best of their abilities to raise grades, some from a "D" to a "C," or a "C" to a "B," or those at the top of the class.
   
"I wouldn't be here today, if it wasn't for someone reaching out to help me," Tippett told the students. "Seek mentors in your life. This program honors those who try harder; it builds self-esteem to help overcome the challenges of the future and to succeed with passion and commitment."
   
After the ceremony, Tim Mogan, an All Star from the Class of 2008 who will be attending Union College in Schenectady, N.Y. in the fall, said the event was an exceptional experience. "To have the Patriots do something for academics is special," he said. "There's so much attention paid to athletics, but education is what's important."