Christopherson, Gross honored as scholar-athletes

Emma Christopherson and Michael Gross were honored by the San Diego High School Sports Association, May 21, as the top scholar-athletes from Fallbrook High School.

Christopherson and Gross, along with just 198 other students from across San Diego County, were recognized at an awards breakfast held at the Scottish Rite Center in San Diego.

Christopherson, who has a 3.20 GPA, was the MVP of the Fallbrook High volleyball team her senior season as well as a first-team all-league selection. A four-year varsity starter, Christopherson earned 19 "Player of the Match" awards and made two all-tournament teams during her volleyball career at Fallbrook High. She also made the San Diego County All-Academic Team for varsity volleyball.

"This award was such an honor for me," Christopherson said. "I think a lot of times we are recognized most for our athletic talents and bypass the first part of being a student-athlete, which is of course being a student. I wouldn't be where I am if it wasn't for my efforts in the classroom which are really what has given me the opportunity to compete at the next level. It really was great to see amazing athletes from a variety of schools and sports be recognized for all their hard work inside the classroom."

Gross sports a 4.20 GPA, was a member of the varsity academic team and was recently named Fallbrook High's "Athlete of the Year." He played football, baseball and ran track his senior year and made the San Diego County All-Academic Team for those sports.

Gross was the MVP of the freshman football team, earned the Ultimate Warrior Award for team leadership in baseball his junior season and was a co-captain of the varsity football team his senior year.

"It's an honor to be recognized for the hard work both on the field and, more importantly, in the classroom," Gross said.

Christopherson for March and Gross for February were honored as Fallbrook Union High School District Students of the Month.

Christopherson will be attending South Dakota State University, where she'll play volleyball and study in the school's nutrition-dietician program. In order to help others, Christopherson wants to become a dietician.

Gross is headed to Pennsylvania State University, where he'll pursue a career in aerospace engineering. His goal is to work for the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.