Perhaps the most intriguing part of Kathleen Miller’s character
is that she’s still forming, still blossoming, and perfectly happy
to see what’s still to come.
Perhaps the most intriguing part of Kathleen Miller’s character is that she’s still forming, still blossoming, and perfectly happy to see what’s still to come.
The San Francisco 49ers acknowledged as much by sending wide receiver Josh Morgan and two public relations staffers to Gilroy High Tuesday to surprise Miller, a senior, in class and award the most accomplished long distance runner in school history a scholarship for being Gilroy Unified School District’s representative on the Bay Area All-Star Scholarship Team (BAASST).
“It’s just amazing,” Miller said. “I wasn’t expecting any of this.”
On top of being given $3,000 for college, Miller, who has above a 4.0 grade point average, also received a Niners jersey with her name on the back and an invitation to sit in the owner’s box at games for all six major professional sports franchises in the Bay Area (49ers, Raiders, Warriors, Sharks, A’s and Giants).
Miller won the scholarship by writing a three-page essay describing why she was the best candidate to be included in the BAASST through her commitment to athletics, academics and community service.
Growing up on the outskirts of Gilroy, Miller often had no one to play with as a little girl and used her free time to express herself through writing and art. In addition to helping her parents raise her mentally disabled brother, Miller also focused on running as she got closer to high school. Joining a fledgling cross country program as a freshman, Miller quickly made friends while becoming the first GHS runner to ever qualify for state in cross country as a sophomore. She finished her senior season this past fall by leading the Mustangs to their first-ever trip to state as a team.
Morgan, towering over the diminutive Miller as the pair walked around campus and talked about her essay and interests, said the two had a lot in common despite their obvious differences.
“That’s one of my hobbies, writing,” Morgan said. “I can really relate to her. She’s got a bright future.”. Watch a video of Miller’s award produced by the 49ers
Representatives from the 49ers would not say how much the scholarship – which is given on a merit basis to student athletes from around the Bay Area – was for. The last Gilroy High School student to receive the award was Jairo Rodriguez, a former soccer star who went to Stanford University. He received $3,000 plus tickets to the owner’s box for six professional Bay Area sports games.
Miller has established herself in Gilroy’s cross country history. She was the first Gilroy runner to make it to the state championship – which she did twice, including last year when she led her team to the event. She was also second in the Central Coast Section last year.
More information on this story will be posted soon.
