Dollar Bay-Tamarack City’s Joshua Gaunt watches for a rebound after a free throw during a game against Calumet this season at the Dollar Bay-Tamarack City Gym. (Eddie O’Neill/Daily Mining Gazette)

DOLLAR BAY — When Joshua Gaunt learned earlier this month that he was a scholarship winner with the MHSAA/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award program, he was excited.

“I was excited as my hard work had paid off,” noted Gaunt, a senior at Dollar Bay-Tamarack City High School.

As one of 10 student athletes from Michigan Class C and D school, Gaunt will be given a $2,000 college scholarship. He is planning on attending Michigan Technological University and study mechanical engineering.

Students applying for the Scholar-Athlete Award must be carrying at least a 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average and have previously won a letter in a varsity sport in which the Michigan High School Athletic Association sponsors a postseason tournament. Other requirements for the applicants were to show active participation in other school and community activities and produce an essay on the importance of sportsmanship in educational athletics.

“In educational athletics, sportsmanship is much more than just treating others with respect,” Gaunt wrote in his essay applying for the scholarship. “It is about being honest with yourself and the game. … By showing integrity and embracing honesty, athletes not only honor the spirit of competition but also create a foundation for success in life. True sportsmanship ensures that victories are meaningful, challenges are overcome, and every moment in sports becomes a stepping stone toward becoming a better person.”

Gaunt certainly fits the criteria as has been involved in athletics and extracurriculars throughout his four years as a Blue Bolt.

He has run four years of varsity cross country. He is currently in his fourth season of varsity basketball and will play fourth season of golf and compete in fourth season of track & field this spring.

He helped his cross country team to two Upper Peninsula Division 3 Finals championships and earned all-UP in track and golf. He has served as a basketball and cross country team captain multiple seasons.

When asked about his favorite sport, the senior didn’t hesitate.

“Golf,” he said. “I love being outside and on the course.”

Academically, he is serving fourth year on student council and as vice president, and participating in second year of National Honor Society and serving as chapter president. Serving as director of leadership while participating in his fourth year of Student Leadership Advisory Council of the Keweenaw. He is playing alto sax in the school band and contributed to multiple festival superior ratings.

Dollar Bay’s middle and high school principal Jesse Kentala said the award couldn’t go to a better young person than Gaunt.

“Joshua defines the student athlete,” said Kentala, who is also Gaunt’s basketball coach. “He is just an amazing young man – a leader in the classroom and the locker room. He is a blessing to be around. I couldn’t be more proud of him. You cannot have programs without kids like Josh.”