With 7,773 votes from the community, two local athletes were named the Mirror’s Male and Female Athletes of the Year on Monday.
Sixteen athletes were celebrated on June 6 at the Federal Way Mirror 2022 Athletes of the Year awards ceremony. Two of the athletes took home the winning titles. Votes were collected via an online poll throughout the month of May.
At the ceremony, Superintendent Dr. Dani Pfeiffer told the audience that each of the nominees for Athlete of the Year exemplifies a famous quote from soccer legend Pele, who said “success is no accident.”
“To be a scholar-athlete is to have unwavering dedication and patience in the pursuit of improvement,” said Pfeiffer, who also played sports in high school and college. “Participating in athletics really teaches our students how to set goals, to act with persistence and teamwork. Our scholars here have strived to do their very best both on and off the field.”
Kayla Johnson, a senior at Decatur High School, was voted the Federal Way Mirror Female Athlete of the Year.
Decatur officials said Kayla is an exemplary scholar-athlete and a multi-faceted player on the Gators’ basketball team. She led the team on offense in scoring and on defense in rebounding and steals. She was selected as All-League Goalkeeper in soccer during her junior year.
She has earned a 3.9 Grade Point Average as a full-time Running Start scholar; this spring, she is earning her high school diploma and her associate’s degree. Next year, she is continuing her education University of Alaska-Fairbanks and plans to play women’s basketball.
For the male athletes, Federal Way High School junior Isaiah Afework was named the Federal Way Mirror Male Athlete of the Year. Afework is a two-sport athlete who has lettered in both baseball and basketball since his freshman year.
He is a leader both on and off the field of play as a mentor to Federal Way’s underclass scholars. Federal Way High School officials say Afework competes at a high level and loves playing for Federal Way. He earned first-team All-NPSL honors for basketball and was named the NPSL Defensive Player of the Year. Afework holds a 3.95 GPA.
At the June 6 event, Federal Way High Schools AFJROTC opened the event, followed by performances by the high school’s Pacific Islander Club and the Decatur High School Jazz Band.
2022 nominees:
Male athletes
Decatur High School: Sochetrapagna “Pagna” Keo, cross country, track & field, senior; Zechariah Siva, football, wrestling, track & field, senior.
Federal Way High School: Andre Jordan Jr., football, basketball, track, junior.
Thomas Jefferson High School: Aaron Oh, swimming, senior; Owen Tonseth, swimming, track & field, tennis, senior.
Todd Beamer High School: Malik Agbo, football, track and field, basketball, senior; Justin Sanner, wrestling, track & field, senior.
Female Athletes
Decatur High School: Marissa Nagode, gymnastics, senior.
Federal Way High School: Achalay Reyes, soccer, basketball, track, senior; Esther Akinlosotu, track, senior.
Thomas Jefferson High School: Evelyn Stillgebaur, swimming, bowling, fast pitch, senior; Sophia McDonald, swimming, track & field, senior.
Todd Beamer High School: Ashley Lee, bowling, golf, tennis, sophomore; Candace Nhye, basketball, track & field, junior.
Decatur’s Kayla Johnson was named the Federal Way Mirror 2022 Female Athlete of the Year on Monday, June 6. Photo courtesy of Federal Way Public Schools
Federal Way’s Isaiah Afework was named the Federal Way Mirror 2022 Male Athlete of the Year. Photo courtesy of Federal Way Public Schools
