Patrick Skipper, a senior at Fort Dale Academy, is one of two proud recipients of the 2001 Achiever Award for Butler County.

Skipper, a three sport letterman, was selected from a field of 31 nominees from the high schools in Butler County to receive the award, which involved intensive interviewing by a panel from outside the county, but not before the accomplishments he made prior to being nominated.

"I'm extremely honored-it feels really great," Skipper said. "It's pretty overwhelming right now, just to think that I was selected from so many deserving candidates."

Skipper, the son of Tim and Pat Skipper, and the captain of the Fort Dale Academy Eagles football team was named as captain of the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) All-star football team following an incredible senior year for the football team.

An all-state First Team selection player, Skipper has also received the All Star Scholar/Athlete scholarship, and was named as the Sports Medicine and Fitness Institute's Athlete of the Week.

But Skipper excelled in the classroom, above all his accomplishments on the gridiron.

The President of the senior class, Skipper is also currently serving as President of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, and Fellowship of Active Christian Teachers and Students (FACTS).

A member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Skipper is ranked second in his graduating class.

Skipper has won the National Beta Club's Harris Leadership Award, ranking him in the top 25 members nationally, and he has received numerous other academics honors, including an All-American scholar award.

"I plan to attend Auburn University, and major in Electrical Engineering," Skipper said. "I am also going to try and play football as a walk-on player."

Skipper said his message to underclassmen is simple.

"They (other students) should try to be different-don't necessarily follow the beaten path, but blaze your own trail-and maintain focused, don't follow the crowd."