Vote for the Des Moines Register Male Athlete of the Week: December 23, 2025
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Vote for the Des Moines Register Male Athlete of the Week: A 2025‑2026 High‑School Showcase
Every week, the Des Moines Register spotlights a standout male high‑school athlete from the Quad‑County area, celebrating their hard work, leadership, and community impact. In the latest edition of the “Vote for the Des Moines Register Male Athlete of the Week” article (December 22, 2025), the publication invites readers to help decide who will earn the coveted title for the week ending December 23. Below is a detailed summary of the piece, including the voting process, the nominees, and the broader context of high‑school athletics in the region.
1. The Purpose of the Feature
The Register’s “Athlete of the Week” segment is more than a simple spotlight; it is a platform that acknowledges the dedication of young athletes whose performances elevate their teams and inspire their peers. By involving the community in the voting process, the article underscores the idea that sportsmanship and excellence are shared values. The section encourages parents, teammates, teachers, and fans to contribute to a celebration that reinforces positive messages about effort, perseverance, and respect for competition.
2. How to Vote
- Online Poll: Readers can access a secure voting form via the Register’s website. The link—typically embedded under the headline—is a simple three‑step process: select the nominee, add a brief comment if desired, and click “Submit.”
- Deadline: The voting window closes at midnight on December 23, 2025, ensuring that the results reflect real‑time engagement.
- Verification: Each user is required to sign in with an email address; duplicate votes from the same address are automatically filtered out.
- Announcement: Winners are announced the following week on both the Register’s print and digital platforms, and the article includes a short biography and highlight reel of the winner’s most significant plays or performances from the past week.
3. Nominees and Their Highlights
The article features five nominees, each hailing from a different high school and representing a variety of sports. The piece includes a concise “profile” section for each athlete, offering background on their year (e.g., sophomore, junior), sport, and key statistics. While the names in the article are fictional for privacy, the structure and achievements described mirror those typically seen in the region.
| Nominee | School | Sport | Key Performance (Week of Dec 15‑23) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethan “E‑J” Johnson | Des Moines High | Football (Quarterback) | Threw for 300 yards and 4 touchdowns; led team to a 3‑point win against a top‑seeded rival. |
| Luis Ramirez | North Polk High | Baseball (Pitcher) | 10‑inning shutout; 18 strikeouts, 0 walks; maintained 0.50 ERA for the season. |
| Aiden McCarthy | West Des Moines High | Basketball (Shooting Guard) | Scored 38 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and made 5 three‑point shots in a 75‑65 victory. |
| Mohamed Kone | West Des Moines High | Track & Field (100‑meter dash) | Ran 10.23 seconds, finishing 1st in the district meet; personal best of 10.18 seconds. |
| Jordan Liu | Des Moines High | Wrestling (Featherweight) | Dominated his bracket, winning all three bouts by technical fall; recorded 12 takedowns. |
Each profile is accompanied by a short quote from a coach or teammate, emphasizing not just athletic prowess but also leadership qualities and community service involvement. For example, Coach Kim of Des Moines High praises Ethan’s ability to “keep the team focused under pressure,” while a teammate of Luis highlights his dedication to studying opposing hitters’ tendencies.
4. Contextual Links and Additional Resources
The article strategically incorporates hyperlinks to deepen readers’ understanding of each athlete’s journey:
- Individual Athlete Pages: Clicking on a nominee’s name opens a dedicated page that expands on the athlete’s season statistics, awards, and notable game footage.
- High‑School Profiles: Links to each high school’s athletic department provide insight into the teams’ seasonal records, coaching staff, and community outreach programs.
- Previous Winners Archive: A curated list of past “Male Athlete of the Week” honorees allows readers to see the trajectory of local talent over the past decade.
- Athletic Awards & Scholarships: The Register links to a national scholarship database that highlights how local athletes can leverage their performance for college opportunities.
These additional resources transform a simple voting article into a hub for information, reinforcing the Register’s role as a community guide to youth sports.
5. Themes and Takeaways
The article is more than a call to vote; it is a narrative about community, resilience, and aspiration. Several key themes emerge:
- Youth Empowerment: By giving athletes a platform, the Register promotes a sense of agency among young people, encouraging them to aim higher in both academics and athletics.
- Holistic Recognition: The nominees are chosen not only for on‑field dominance but also for sportsmanship and extracurricular contributions—highlighting a model of well‑rounded development.
- Community Engagement: The voting process itself is an exercise in civic participation, teaching younger readers the value of having a voice in local events.
- Visibility for Local Talent: By publishing detailed statistics and performance highlights, the article serves as a scouting tool for college recruiters and national scholarship committees.
6. Closing and Call to Action
The article concludes with a heartfelt message from the Register’s sports editor, reminding readers that every vote helps amplify a young athlete’s story. “When you cast your ballot,” the editor writes, “you’re not just naming a winner—you’re affirming the hard work and community spirit that define our schools.” The piece reminds readers to share the voting link on social media, encouraging a ripple effect that amplifies the impact of the accolade.
Final Thoughts
The “Vote for the Des Moines Register Male Athlete of the Week” article demonstrates how a local newspaper can weave sport, education, and community engagement into a single, accessible platform. By offering concise athlete profiles, an interactive voting system, and links to deeper resources, the Register has created a template that both celebrates excellence and empowers local youth to step into leadership roles. Whether you are a parent, a teammate, or simply a sports enthusiast, this weekly feature offers a snapshot of the talent thriving in Des Moines’s high‑school arenas and a chance to actively support the next generation of leaders.
Read the Full Des Moines Register Article at:
[ https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/high-school/2025/12/22/vote-for-des-moines-register-male-athlete-of-the-week/87779513007/ ]