Blab Sports
Florida High School Athletics Honors Excellence at Inaugural FLASHYS Awards
On June 7 2026, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) unveiled its first Florida Leadership & Athletic Sports Honors Yearly (FLASHYS) awards at the Tracy Performing Arts Center in The Villages. The glittering ceremony, hosted by popular content creator OMGITSWICKS, gathered student‑athletes, coaches, officials, educators, trainers, media members, and community leaders to celebrate leadership, service, perseverance and excellence.
The awards were presented under the generous sponsorship of the Florida Lottery, the state’s government‑run lottery that has contributed more than $50 billion to Florida schools since 1988. FHSAA Executive Director Craig Damon said the FLASHYS “are a celebration of everything that makes high school athletics so special in Florida.” He added that the event “gives us the opportunity to recognize not only championship‑level achievement, but also the character, leadership, service and dedication that take place in our schools and communities every day.”
Florida Lottery Acting Secretary Reginald D. Dixon noted that the lottery is “proud to support the FLASHYS and celebrate the students, coaches, educators and mentors who inspire excellence across Florida.” The partnership underscores the lottery’s commitment to education and student success.
The evening’s presenters included Nike, which honored Tom Dooley of Central Catholic High School and Yolanda Bronston of Eagle’s View Academy as Male and Female Coach of the Year, respectively. GameChanger awarded Lake Mary High School Football the Game Changer of the Year title. Suncoast Credit Union presented the Male and Female Student Leader of the Year awards to Leondro Gael Gutierrez of Hagerty High School and Ana Sofia Laszewski of Chaminade‑Madonna Preparatory. Morgan & Morgan named Terrance Anthony of Mainland High School and Megan Ziegelhofer of Mount Dora High School as Male and Female Educator of the Year. Perry Weather honored Michelle Benz of Miami Palmetto as Athletic Trainer of the Year. The Mid Coast Officials Association and ECBOA presented the Male and Female Official of the Year awards to Scott Corso and Rebecca Bratcher.
Alison Posey of WCTV‑Tallahassee received the All‑Access Award. Vendors such as American Sunday Plate (catering), Golden Touch Creations (decorations), and Crown Awards (trophies and plaques) helped create the event’s polished atmosphere.
OMGITSWICKS, who hosted the ceremony, remarked, “Being part of the first‑ever FLASHYS was something special. You could feel the pride in the room. These students, coaches, officials, educators and leaders are what Florida high school sports are all about.” Her energy and humor added a memorable touch for honorees and guests.
The FHSAA announced the awards program on February 3 2026 and confirmed that the event will return on June 6 2027. The organization encourages schools to continue recognizing student success and community impact beyond athletic performance.
The FLASHYS awards underscore the FHSAA’s broader mission to promote education‑based athletics and to honor those who contribute to Florida’s high‑school sports community. By celebrating individuals across a wide range of roles, the association highlights the importance of leadership, character, and service in shaping the next generation of athletes and citizens.
The event was shared on social media on June 5 2026, with the FHSAA posting a congratulatory message and a photo of the winners. The Florida Lottery also posted a brief recap on its X account.
As Florida high schools gear up for the 2026‑27 season, the FLASHYS awards serve as a reminder that success in high‑school sports is measured not only by wins and statistics but also by the lasting impact students, coaches, and staff have on their schools and communities.
The awards were presented under the generous sponsorship of the Florida Lottery, the state’s government‑run lottery that has contributed more than $50 billion to Florida schools since 1988. FHSAA Executive Director Craig Damon said the FLASHYS “are a celebration of everything that makes high school athletics so special in Florida.” He added that the event “gives us the opportunity to recognize not only championship‑level achievement, but also the character, leadership, service and dedication that take place in our schools and communities every day.”
Florida Lottery Acting Secretary Reginald D. Dixon noted that the lottery is “proud to support the FLASHYS and celebrate the students, coaches, educators and mentors who inspire excellence across Florida.” The partnership underscores the lottery’s commitment to education and student success.
The evening’s presenters included Nike, which honored Tom Dooley of Central Catholic High School and Yolanda Bronston of Eagle’s View Academy as Male and Female Coach of the Year, respectively. GameChanger awarded Lake Mary High School Football the Game Changer of the Year title. Suncoast Credit Union presented the Male and Female Student Leader of the Year awards to Leondro Gael Gutierrez of Hagerty High School and Ana Sofia Laszewski of Chaminade‑Madonna Preparatory. Morgan & Morgan named Terrance Anthony of Mainland High School and Megan Ziegelhofer of Mount Dora High School as Male and Female Educator of the Year. Perry Weather honored Michelle Benz of Miami Palmetto as Athletic Trainer of the Year. The Mid Coast Officials Association and ECBOA presented the Male and Female Official of the Year awards to Scott Corso and Rebecca Bratcher.
Alison Posey of WCTV‑Tallahassee received the All‑Access Award. Vendors such as American Sunday Plate (catering), Golden Touch Creations (decorations), and Crown Awards (trophies and plaques) helped create the event’s polished atmosphere.
OMGITSWICKS, who hosted the ceremony, remarked, “Being part of the first‑ever FLASHYS was something special. You could feel the pride in the room. These students, coaches, officials, educators and leaders are what Florida high school sports are all about.” Her energy and humor added a memorable touch for honorees and guests.
The FHSAA announced the awards program on February 3 2026 and confirmed that the event will return on June 6 2027. The organization encourages schools to continue recognizing student success and community impact beyond athletic performance.
The FLASHYS awards underscore the FHSAA’s broader mission to promote education‑based athletics and to honor those who contribute to Florida’s high‑school sports community. By celebrating individuals across a wide range of roles, the association highlights the importance of leadership, character, and service in shaping the next generation of athletes and citizens.
The event was shared on social media on June 5 2026, with the FHSAA posting a congratulatory message and a photo of the winners. The Florida Lottery also posted a brief recap on its X account.
As Florida high schools gear up for the 2026‑27 season, the FLASHYS awards serve as a reminder that success in high‑school sports is measured not only by wins and statistics but also by the lasting impact students, coaches, and staff have on their schools and communities.
