Congratulations to everyone that has competed in March Madness. We are proud of every student tha
t has been part of the competition. Nice job everyone!
Now, big congrats to our 2009 Sweet Diggity Dawg… Lauren Thames from Lawrence, Kansas! She has done an amazing job and is an amazing student with a bright future. After 6 weeks, hundreds of thousands of votes, she has risen to the top. We are proud to crown her our 2009 Sweet Diggity Dawg.
Our runner-up Elias Boujoude made a great run and is an amazing student as well. We’re glad to have had him in the competition and are excited for his future.
We will be putting up a post to help everyone get to know Lauren even better. In the meantime, here’s her video:
Wow. What an exciting and crazy ride this has been. Our family has met amazing people along the way and our hats are off to all the hard work that went in to each round of competition. Elias, you have our respect. Thank you for handling this competition with such integrity and honor. We wish you all the best in the future, and we expect that you will accomplish great things. Team Jasmine, Team Brittney, our families and our many, many friends from all over the world, a simple thank you just doesn’t seem like enough. We appreciate all of your hard work more than we can say. We are truly blessed to have you in our lives!
Sincerely,
Lisa Stofac (Lauren’s mom)
One more comment: As I was posting this comment, Elias Boujaoude was calling Lauren to personally congratulate her. He really is a great kid. I know his mother is as proud of him as I am of my daughter!
Congrats Lauren and Elias!!!!!!!
congratulations to you……darla
Congratulations Lauren! Best of luck to you in your future endeavors and good luck at Baker University!
Congratulations Lauren!!!!! You deserved this!
Good job to both Lauren and Elias!
Nice job, Lauren –! We’re excited to have you as a new Recruit to Baker University Tennis!
Lauren’s Dad here: I just want EVERYONE to know that shortly after getting the phone call from Brad at Zinch, we received a call from Elias. He was upbeat, asked if I was ‘happy this is finally over with,” and then asked to speak to Lauren. He congratulated her, wished her the best at Baker next year, and they talked about the competition for a few minutes.
That kid is a CLASS ACT. We had gotten to know each other via email through earlier rounds, but talking with him for a few minutes over the phone just proved to me what a fine young man he is. His mom, Maureen, is an equally first-rate person, and we are proud and honored to have had the chance to get to know them, even if just a little bit.
I also want to express our thanks and gratitude to Jasmine D.D. and Brittney B. Two incredible young women with unbelievable support. Their teams proved vital in this ultra-close final match-up. Lauren, her mom, and I will never forget you!
Also, thanks to family, friends, and complete strangers who took time to register, vote, and support a wonderful kid. We’ve always been proud of Lauren, and her comportment and demeanor during this contest is a testament to her character and to her faith.
Lastly, to zinch: Thanks for the opportunity. I may have lost a little hair and more than a little sleep during this contest, but it was sure a lot of fun!
Tom S
You stood out from the very beginning. I’m extremely happy that you won this year
Congratulations! :)
Congrats Lauren I bet you would even try harder to win the next.
Congrats Lauren!!!! That sure is exciting :)