Wyatt Baker (Class of 2011), recipient of the Friar Five Scholarship has successfully completed his freshman year and is looking forward to his sophomore year.

 

Wyatt's athletic accomplishments his freshman year are many.  He participated in Frosh/Soph Football, Frosh/Soph Track and Frosh/Soph Wrestling.

 

In Football, he started on the Frosh/Soph team on Offensive Line and in Track, he was a member of the Frosh/Soph Trinity League Championship team.

 

In Wrestling, he was a member of the Frosh/Soph heavyweight team and a key member of the Frosh/Soph team in winning the Trinity League Championship.  In the heavyweight category, he won five tournament championships, was named Orange County "Frosh" heavyweight champion, and earned 2nd place in the Frosh/Soph State Championship tournament.  He concluded his freshman season with a record of 25-3.

 

While participating in three sports, Wyatt maintained a 3.53 GPA.

 

Servite High School has a long legacy of alumni support and participation in the education and formation experiences of our young men. The relationships forged at Servite are not just for four years, but for forty—or more. The Men of Servite support and mentor one another, regardless of their year in school or year of graduation. As the Order of Friar Servants of Mary teaches, the Men of Servite grow through giving.

 

As an example of such Alumni support, Servite High School announced in the summer of 2007 the start of the “Friar Five Scholarship Fund.” Drawing on the generosity and experiences of Servite Alumni from the classes of ’82, ’84, ’88, and’96, the “Friar Five Scholarship Fund” provides one student, four years of financial assistance so that he and his family may enjoy the tremendous opportunity that is a Servite High School education. The Friar Five Scholarship Fund also provides mentorship to the selected candidate.  The goal of this scholarship fund is to select a deserving, incoming freshman and follow that student during his four years of study.

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Q & A with Wyatt Baker

 

Q: How did you hear about the Friar Five Scholarship?

 

A: I received a letter in the mail and enclosed was all the information for the scholarship. I read it and thought to myself, I should apply for this. It sounds like me. I consulted with my family and they agreed with me, then I entered and am extremely happy I did.

 

Q: What was it like to go through the application process?

 

A: The staff that was in charge of the application process was hardworking thus cutting a lot of time off the amount that I had to wait to get a response. That helped a lot. It consisted of a lot of praying definitely. I didnt think about writing my essay too much, I just let my feelings transfer onto the paper via my pen.

 

Before my interview I was extremely stressed. My mom told me “Wyatt, I am very proud of the young man you’ve become. Be yourself and that’s all you can do.” I was assured partially but my nerves still gripped me. When I stepped into the room and if I remember correctly it was Mr. Hawkins who said “Take a deep breath and be yourself.” At that moment in time with that one sentence I realized that they care as much as my family does and that this is truly a very special place it’s a blessing that I even have this opportunity.

 

Q: What were your thoughts and feelings when you were told you were the selected applicant to receive the scholarship?

 

A: I was overwhelmed with happiness and joy. I had no words left for how happy I was and am. I realized that Servite would be my second home. I remember being in the stands at a Servite football game when I was in 3rd grade; even then, I was amazed at the precision and discipline of this school. Not just in the game but how the players carried themselves with such a factor of responsibility. I was amazed because I had never seen that in people of that age group before. I made a promise to myself that night to try my hardest to get into Servite and become a Friar. I did and I couldn’t be more pleased.

 

Q: How has the Friar Five Scholarship affected your life?

 

A: I would have to say that the Friar Five Scholarship affected my life in an extremely positive manner. Not only has it granted me the opportunity to attend Servite, it also opened the door to numerous things for me like new friendships and a renewed relationship with God. It gave me the opportunity to play new sports I had never dreamed of participating in. Some days practices and school were hard but if you want to be the best you have to train better than the best in every aspect and arena of life, including school. All the smaller class sizes in relativity to public school were extremely beneficial for me and the learning process. This school will push you to your limits and make you a better person. It intensified and strengthened my life physically, emotionally and mentally. I am very blessed to enrich the schools already great tradition.

 

Q: Please reflect on your experiences now that the you have completed your freshman year?

 

A: There have been a lot of really good things that have happened this year. Every practice I had during the heat of summer, which most people deemed horrible, were actually the best times of my life. During practices I learned about myself and how to interact with adults and my peers. I learned that leadership isn’t popular, in fact is difficult to achieve. I can say I personally know everybody in my class and that is unbelievable and awesome. I won 2nd place in state for Frosh/Soph wrestling. Coming into Servite I had no interest or experience in wrestling but with a nudge in the right direction, I excelled. I am grateful for the staff and wrestling coaches because without them, my life would be drastically different.

 

Q: What projects are you doing to fulfill the commitments of the scholarship?

 

A: I am doing my best fulfill my commitments. Currently I have worked numerous hours at many different shelters and thrift shops that help homeless and underprivileged people and their children. I also work around my school and my schedule is very rigid and structured. I also help with youth camps and at the end of the day I can say I contributed to society in a positive way and I love every second of it.

 

Q: What are your thoughts on the five men who founded this scholarship fund?

 

A: They have big hearts and it’s very gracious of them to sacrifice so much for a younger "Friar brother." I want them to know that their generosity isn’t going unnoticed. I will follow in their footsteps, one day giving back to the Servite community just as they have.