New Trier Staff Member Wins Marine Corps Leadership Award

Through the Semper Fidelis All-American Program, the United States Marine Corps is recognizing two exemplary mentors who show a dedication to their community. Now in its fourth year, the Semper Fidelis All-American Program features approximately 100 student athletes selected from across the country based on their athletic prowess, academic success, and embodiment of the Marine Corps values of honor, courage, and commitment.

In recognition of the importance of building a support system to enable the success of the next generation, each All-American was given the opportunity to invite a mentor of their choosing to join them in the program.

Jackson Bridge from New Trier High School is among those selected to this year’s class of Semper Fidelis All-Americans. Bridge selected Jim Davis as his mentor. Davis was then selected out of the nearly 100 mentors as one of two winners for the Excellence in Leadership Award.

Davis has shown a dedication to mentorship and his community through his work with his organization, the Good Athlete Project. The Good Athlete Project works to build methods which harness the desire of a young person to be a good athlete and direct them toward being a good person. Davis has traveled the world speaking about his organization and his research. His writing has been published in the Harvard Crimson, the Globe Post, World of Psychology and much more.

In the face of COVID-19, the Marine Corps made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Battles Won Academy, a multi-day experience in Washington, D.C. typically held in July. Instead, Davis was awarded the honor during the Battles Won Academy Live virtual event on Sunday, December 6th.

This release was produced by the Semper Fidelis All-American Program. The views expressed here are the author's own.