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Finnegan Walker Named Phil Womble Ethics in Sports Award Winner for Laguna Blanca
BY BARRY PUNZAL, NOOZHAWK SPORTS EDITOR
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It's in Finnegan Walker '21's nature to stay busy and be involved in school and community.
The Laguna Blanca junior is a multi-sport athlete and is active in multiple community service activities.
And, he manages to maintain a high grade point average. He currently carries a 3.97 GPA while taking a Science Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) curriculum that includes Advanced Placement chemistry, computer science and psychology, in addition to pre-calculus, honors physics, and English seminar.
Walker is being honored as Laguna Blanca’s recipient of the Phil Womble Ethics in Sports Award. The award is presented by Dave Pintard of the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table.
“He is a great kid, well-rounded, a positive team leader on and off the court,” said Jason Donnelly, Laguna Blanca athletic director and volleyball coach.
Walker has played football, beach volleyball, basketball, soccer and indoor volleyball during his years at Laguna Blanca. He was co-captain of the beach volleyball team in the fall and was named captain of the indoor team this spring.
Walker has played football, beach volleyball, basketball, soccer and indoor volleyball during his years at Laguna Blanca. He was co-captain of the beach volleyball team in the fall and was named captain of the indoor team this spring.
He received second-team All Tri-Valley League honors in indoor volleyball as a sophomore.
"I've been fortunate to have been able to coach Finn the past two years,” said Donnelly. “He's a gifted athlete without a doubt, but athletic ability aside, he's also one of the most genuinely kind boys I have had the pleasure to work with. He is constantly looking for ways to improve and leads by example on and off the court.”
His involvement in community activities is impressive, and he's been recognized for his good deeds.
His involvement in community activities is impressive, and he's been recognized for his good deeds.
Walker has twice received the Laguna Blanca President’s Silver Service Award. The award is given to students who accumulate 75 hours of community service at age 15 and 150 hours at age 16.
He began volunteering with the Youth 4 Direct Relief Club as a ninth grader and has served in multiple leadership roles. He is currently the club’s vice president.
He has organized several fundraisers, including the club’s Flower Drive, which raised more than $23,000 across all schools.
Walker worked at the Kick Ash Bash, the fundraising event that honored first responders of the Montecito debris flow and raised funds for emergency equipment.
He’s a member of the Storyteller Children’s Center, an organization that helps Santa Barbara homeless and at-risk toddlers and preschoolers achieve kindergarten readiness.
Last summer, he worked as a camp counselor at the Jon Lee Beach Volleyball Camp at East Beach.
On campus, Walker serves as a student ambassador and mentor, and he is a member of the school’s Mock Trial team, taking on the roles of lawyer, clerk, and lawyer coach.
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Laguna Blanca is Santa Barbara’s premier private, co-educational, college preparatory day school for students in Early Kindergarten through Grade 12.