John Gayda

127 Pinehurst Lane

Battle Creek, MI 49015
February 12, 2016
Dear Scholarship Committee:
Please accept this letter of recommendation for Evan Irons for a KCC Foundation
scholarship. I have known Evan for 10 years and have witnessed his success in
athletics, as a student hockey coach, and in DECA. He has proven to be dependable
and responsible in these activities.
As a student athlete, Evan has played high school Lacrosse and ice hockey at
various levels. Evan has been dedicated to hockey since he was seven years old,
which requires a great deal of dedication. In addition to playing hockey, he has
developed his leadership skills as a student coach for a pee wee team. (Athletes
who play at the pee wee level are 11-12 years old.) As a student coach, Evan
attended practices two days a week to demonstrate and teach the players skills. In
addition, he attended at least two games per week, as well as tournaments, acting
as an assistant coach on the bench or to run the penalty box. Evan utilized his
knowledge of the game to act as a mentor and leader to youth hockey players.
Furthermore, he displayed his dependability by being on time and attending all
practices and games. Evan has also experienced success as a player. He has played
several levels and he worked hard to make the Varsity High School team his
sophomore year. He also made the Varsity High School Lacrosse team as a
sophomore and became a starter his junior year.
I am also aware of Evans accomplishments as a member of DECA. He has held
chapter officer roles his sophomore, junior, and senior years. He has also attended
state competition four consecutive years and international competition for three
years. Evan has displayed leadership in his DECA chapter through organizing the
Red Out Campaign for the American Heart Association. This task included promoting
the charitable service, as well as organizing t-shirt sales, an all-school assembly,
and a flash mob at the football game. (Evan can also be seen throwing footballs and
t-shirts into the stands at games to promote school spirit within Harper Creek.) Evan
has also attended the State Leadership Conference for Michigan DECA chapters; he
assisted with a presentation at one of the mini sessions.
It is a pleasure to recommend Evan for a KCC Foundation scholarship. I know he will
utilize the funds he receives to further his education and to insure his success in the
future. If you have any further questions or need further information, please contact
me at john.gayda@kellogg.com.
Sincerely,

John Gayda

Immediate Past Board Chair, Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce

Treasurer, Greater Battle Creek Ice Hockey Association