Garrison LeMire had no idea what was in store when he was ushered into the cafeteria at Niceville High School early Wednesday morning.

• The senior lacrosse player walked into a room full of cheers from the student body, members of the All Sports Association, Kathy and Brian Haugen, The Taylor Haugen Foundation Board Members and his family.

LeMire was surprised with the news that he has been named the 2024 winner of the Taylor Haugen Trophy — an award offered annually in memory of Taylor Reid Haugen, a Niceville High School student who died at age 15 from injuries sustained while playing football in 2008.

“Mr. Marello was very good at keeping me completely in the dark. I had no idea what was going on,” LeMire said, referring to Niceville High Principal Charlie Marello’s effort to keep the news a secret. “At first I knew something was up as I saw a lot of people coming in the doors, but I wasn’t totally sure.”

LeMire said seeing the Haugens made it click.

• “It just felt surreal for a minute,” he said. “I think I’m still shaking. It’s an amazing honor to win this award. It’s just not something you expect.”

The Taylor Haugen Trophy and a $1,000 scholarship are awarded each winter to an area athlete who demonstrates a balance between academics, athleticism, leadership, community service and faith — the same traits that defined Taylor. The Foundation hopes to recognize well-rounded individuals who demonstrate the perseverance to improve themselves while enjoying God’s gifts to the fullest.

“It’s a very competitive field,” said Cindy Gates, chairwoman of the Taylor Haugen Foundation Board. “To be the person standing here receiving this trophy means that you’re more than amazing.”

Gates highlighted LeMire’s involvement coaching youth lacrosse leagues, mentoring young students, serving as captain of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, maintaining a 4.56 weighted GPA and participating in National Honor Society and church activities. Along with playing Lacrosse at Niceville High School.

“You’ve done incredible things with your family, your school, your community, your church, and that is the reason that you’re standing here today,” she told LeMire in front of his peers.

The annual trophy winner receives a bronze sculpture of an eagle in flight, inspired by Isaiah 40:30-31 and meant to symbolize Taylor’s motto of “Don’t Quit…Never Give Up.” The trophy stands 26 inches tall and weighs 35 pounds.

• In honor of LeMire winning, Niceville High School Athletic Department will also receive a $1,000 donation. 

“I really can’t believe it, so I think it’ll take a little bit to set in,” LeMire said after the surprise ceremony.

LeMire moved to Niceville several years ago due to his family being in the military. Although he didn’t know Taylor, he learned about him through friends at Crosspoint Church.

“They all told me about the amazing impact that he had on them and the community,” LeMire said.

At Niceville, LeMire has been actively involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He serves as captain, a role he said was another honor.

• “It’s just great to get to work with students,” LeMire said.

He is also involved outside school, volunteering as a youth coach.

“I think it’s important that we build up the next generation,” LeMire said, citing bad influences that youth face today. “I think it’s important that we keep our youth steady and I try to work with them as much as possible.”

In addition to lacrosse starting, LeMire said he looks forward to finishing his senior year strong with graduation approaching.

• “There’s some big things coming up for FCA as well,” he said, citing the annual FCA breakfast in February. “Just looking forward to staying in the grind, staying the day to day and taking it one day at a time.”

LeMire has been accepted to Texas A&M University and plans to study psychology. He is also waiting to hear back from Duke and UNC. He hopes to one day work with special operations in a cognitive way, or teach at the college level.

For the Haugen family, the Taylor Haugen Trophy carries deep meaning as they prepare to mark the 16th anniversary of Taylor’s death this August. For the Haugens, it’s a ‘mixed bag’.

“It’s a blessing to be able to pass on Taylor’s legacy and memory, to keep his story alive,” Kathy Haugen said. “That is an absolute blessing. But it’s also hard to think that it has been 16 years since Taylor passed.”

She said the trophy winners become “truly part of our family.”

“I am very close with the trophy winners. All of them,” Haugen said. “And they really are part of our family.”

The selection process begins with nominations from about 20 area high schools. Students must have at least a 3.5 unweighted GPA and be involved with athletics, community service and faith-based activities.

• A committee that includes past winners as well as representatives from the All Sports Association and Taylor Haugen Foundation review applications and conduct interviews before selecting each year’s recipient.

“They have something extremely special about them that we call the ‘wow factor,’” Haugen said of trophy winners. “And I cannot tell you what that is until I see it.”