Name: Kevin Murtha, 13
School: Leonard J. Tyl Middle School, Grade 7
Clubs: Student Leadership Team, Montville Youth Wrestling Club
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Accomplishments: High Honor Roll, 2nd in Connecticut Youth Wrestling Middle School State Tournament, member of Student Leadership Council.
Kevin takes pride in being a role model at Tyl, striving to do his best in academics, athletics and in school social circles.
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Academically, Kevin is a High Honors students. He represents the 7th grade on the Student Leadership committee.
Athletically, the 6-foot, 203-pounder qualified for the New England Youth Wrestling Tournament by finishing second in the Connecticut Middle School State Championships in the 205-pound weight division Feb. 27 in New Haven. This was Kevin's first year wrestling tournaments for the Montville Youth Wrestling club. His older brother, Ryan, heavyweight for Montville High, recently finished 5th in the Class M state meet.
"It's a great feeling, especially since it was my first year wrestling," Kevin said. "Going to the New Englands is pretty amazing. Ryan teaches me a lot and helps me out on most of my moves."
Kevin believes he needs to be a leader in school as much as he strives to be a leader on the wrestling mat.
"The Student Leadership Committee serves an important role," he said. "We all get together and talk about issues, topics like the Connecticut Mastery Tests, stuff to help the school. It's important to be a leader in school so students can look up to you and admire you, seeing that you are doing your town good and your community good."
Keys to Success:
"My determination to be successful is my best quality," he said. "I also credit my success to parents, teachers and wrestling coaches, friends and family helping me along the way."
