Patch Star Student Athlete: Andrew, Plymouth-Canton

PLYMOUTH-CANTON, MI — We all know student athletes who also bring their A-game to other parts of their lives.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. We’re working to let all your neighbors know the individual stories behind the leaderboard.

This submission comes from Meaghan McCann who nominated her son Andrew of Plymouth-Canton.

Star student athlete’s name

Andrew

Star student athlete’s home state

Michigan

Star student athlete’s Patch town

Plymouth-Canton

How do you know the star student athlete?

I'm his mom.

What sport does the star student athlete play?

Baseball

Why do you believe the star student athlete should be recognized?

Student-athlete Andrew Leginza should be recognized because he's the best boy ever! Andrew lives in a family with a sibling who has special needs. Since the age of 8, he has had to be independent. He stepped into this role without complaint, making his own breakfast, walking to school alone, and helping with meals and laundry. He fills the lives of his family members with joy. He is courteous, polite, funny, and respectful.

Andrew has played baseball since he was four years old. He loves the sport and would play it all day long. His talent in baseball goes beyond the field. In the dugout, he always encourages and cheers on his teammates and is the first to congratulate players on good plays, often by jumping on them! His strength on the field is due to the endless dedicated hours of training and independent practice he puts toward hitting into a net or catching balls thrown off a wall. A funny story we like to tell is of when he was a young player, he was the slowest runner on the team. When he ran, his arms would pump so hard, and his body would bend forward with his eyes focused on first base, but his little feet looked like they were weighed down with lead shoes. Fortunately, he grew into a coordinated and fast athlete.

Andrew combines his abundance of energy with his love of children by occupying his young cousins when their parents need a break. He volunteers at church during vacation bible school by running the games for elementary school children.

He lights up a room when he enters with a friendly greeting or a kind word to everyone there. For these reasons, I feel this student athlete should be recognized.

I reached out to a favorite teacher of Andrew’s and asked for some input from her. Here is what she said, “Andrew has shown tremendous commitment to his academic and personal growth. In the face of the pandemic, as grades decreased for most, Andrew overcame obstacles and seized every opportunity available to be successful in high school. As a result, he improved his grades and academic performance and has inspired others around him to do the same.

Andrew is a natural leader with infectious enthusiasm. He has genuine empathy and caring for others, and easily shows support to those who need it. He is willing to speak up and motivates others with great decision-making and authenticity. Because he gives respect so earnestly, he also readily earns it from his peers.”

It is for these reasons that I nominate Andrew Leginza for the Patch/T-Mobile Star Student Athlete Spotlight.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the star student athlete?

Andrew makes friends where ever he goes.

Keep up the great work, Andrew!

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.

Know an outstanding student athlete? Nominate them as a Patch Star Student Athlete.