Lee’s Summit West High honored with Tour of Champions award

Raising the National Guard minuteman proudly above their heads, Titan football players from Lee's Summit West High School accept the 2010 MaxPreps Tour of Champions award during halftime of a recent basketball game. The National Guard and MaxPreps recognized the Titans' amazing season, ranking them nationally in the top 50 of 16,000 schools. (Photo by Jennifer Archdekin)

By Jennifer Archdekin
Ngmo.pao@US.ARMY.MIL

LEE'S SUMMIT - The Lee's Summit West Titans recently recognized their own state football champs for receiving the 2010 MaxPreps Tour of Champions award.

The Titans had a stellar football season and were honored by the National Guard for being nationally ranked in the top 50 of 16,000 schools.

Head coach Royce Boehm, accepted the bronze Minuteman trophy presented by Master Sgt. Tracy Laughery and Sgt. Daniel Morgan of the Missouri National Guard's 27th Recruiting and Retention Battalion.

"The first two of seven Army values that we as Soldiers live by are loyalty and duty," said Laughery. "That's how we live and that's how we win. It's these players', these Titans', loyalty to each other, to their school and to their coach that motivated them to perform their duty beyond the capability of their opponents."

Boehm received the award during halftime of a Titan basketball game.

"We're very honored by this award," said Boehm. "When we hear that there's 16,000 schools that are out there and we're one of the 50 that received this award what an honor it is to receive this on behalf of the Lee's Summit community and on behalf of the Lee's Summit West Titans."

Not only did Boehm express his gratitude for the award itself, but he went on to thank the Missouri National Guard for the role they play in our country.

"What an honor to have [the National Guard] be a part of this and get them into our schools is huge," said Boehm. "We're going through a tough time right now and we need good young men that are going to step up and give to their country. That's what we're all about. We're doing the same thing here and we're trying to prep them for those guys."

MaxPreps and the National Guard recognize the finest high school football, girls' volleyball, and boys' and girls' basketball teams in the country through various celebrations and formal ceremonies. This year the Football Tour honors 50 of the top teams in America and will continue bringing together athletes, coaches, students, parents and fans across the country.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.

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For more information about this release, please contact Jennifer Archdekin at 816-262-2893 or e-mail at jarchdekin@gmail.com.

Lee's Summit West High School head football coach, Royce Boehm (center), proudly displays the 2010 MaxPreps Tour of Champions award. The bronze minuteman statue represents the rapidly deployable and always ready persona of the National Guard. Master Sgt. Tracy Laughery (left) and Sgt. Daniel Morgan (right) of the Missouri Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion in Kansas City were on hand to make the presentation. (Photo by Jennifer Archdekin)