News 3 Sports would like to congratulate our latest classroom champion Hilaree Hodges. The Normangee senior has a 3.57 grade point average and ranks 6th in her class. She's a 4 year member of the National Honor Society and Student Council, and is also involved in UIL One Act Play.

"She's a real good student, its pretty rare that she turns in anything other than A work. Kinda quiet in class. She doesn't say a lot unless she has questions to ask, or something like that. She gets along with everybody, and everybody likes her, especially in volleyball. You know, we went to the state tournament and she was a big time team leader there."

Athletically, Hilaree plays volleyball, basketball, tennis and runs track. She's a 4 time recipient for All Academic Honors in volleyball and was a member of the first Lady Panther volleyball team to make an appearance at the state tournament, where she received honorable mention honors. She has also received 1st team All District honors for basketball and is a 3 time recipient for All Academic honors. She was also voted MVP for the the track team. Hilaree's leadership skills and good attitude didn't end with volleyball, she has continued to push her teammates in all of the sports that she plays.

"There's definitely a team element, and our older kids have always stepped up, and she's the one to do it this year. She comes out, if I'm gone for track practice with junior high or high school, she'll bring the kids out they'll go ahead and practice anyway, if I'm here or not. So, she's definitely a leader for our group."

"You know its something that helped me grow up and mature faster and I've learned how to set goals for myself and just learned how to be a leader like I have this year, and I think its just something that everyone should be a part of, athletics, it just teaches you a lot."

Hilaree plans on attending Lamar University to major in Geology.
Congratulations to Hilaree Hodges of Normangee High School. This week's News 3 Sports Classroom Champion.