SARATOGA SPRINGS — While hundreds of high school graduates celebrate their academic achievements for the school year, one local graduate was recognized for her key personality traits.
Eve Crossett, a graduate at the Saratoga Springs High School, was honored for embodying key traits such as anti-bullying and respect throughout the school year. She was featured on the Act with Respect Always (AWRA) website as a “spotlight.” The spotlight highlights individuals from schools and in the community who have taken it upon themselves to “pay it forward” as AWRA Ambassadors.
“Being a spotlight was a surprise. It feels really good to be recognized and I’m really excited for what the future will bring,” Crossett said.
AWRA stresses the importance of one’s personal character both on and off the school campus. It was founded by Rich Johns as a pay it forward movement. Every year, Johns selects a student who embodies traits such as kindness, teamwork, courage, honesty and anti-bullying. Johns said he selected Crossett for not only her personality traits, but also the scholarship she received. Crossett received the West Point Association of
Graduates Scholarship.
“West Point is sponsoring me to go to a preparatory school. I will attend Marion Military Institute in Marion, AL as a cadet in the Service Academy Preparatory Program this year, and upon completion of the program I will receive a Letter of Assurance from West Point. This guarantees a spot in the class of 2025 if I remain academically, medically, and physically qualified,” Crossett said.
Johns first met Crossett while helping the Saratoga girl’s tennis team. He began to help her on the tennis court, and grew to learn her personality both on and off the court.
“I was on the girls’ varsity tennis team in Saratoga for a few years and he always came in and spoke. We didn’t become closer until this year as he came to our matches more often and I had more opportunities to talk to him. He then asked me to be a member of his program and I felt so honored,” Crossett said.
Johns added: “She is so open and honest. She has impressed me so much over the last year. The path that Eve has wanted to take is becoming a reality. She is one of the most caring, gifted, modest students I have ever met. I feel connected to Eve and all of the past spotlights.”
Crossett said Johns has reached out weekly throughout the COVID pandemic to check in with the members of AWRA.
“He is a great role model in the community,” Crossett said. “I’m so excited to finally be able to live out my dream of going to West Point.”
Johns founded AWRA after growing up in South Glens Falls. There, he learned core values that he has used throughout his life.
“My mom and dad were from large families that immigrated to the United States to create a new life for themselves. Each of them taught me from a very young age that you must always work hard and respect all people that are in your life,” Johns wrote on his website. “As a young student and athlete, I soon learned that teachers and coaches were there to help me improve my abilities. Respecting these individuals was first and foremost to me. As years have passed, the core value of respect continues to be even more important to me. I believe that respect is at the center of all things we do in life.”
Johns can be reached through social media or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
