As Beaufort High School Football gathered for its annual banquet on Dataw Island to celebrate a great season, in which they won a region championship, one team member, Stefan Wechsler, was recognized as this year’s recipient of the “Jonathan Peck Skills for Life” award.

The award honored Weschler’s achievements both academically and socially, recognizing his positive attitude, perseverance and academic achievement (4.35 GPA).

Roughly 250 players, coaches, school administrators, families, and Dataw Island members gathered in the Carolina Ballroom for a banquet and dinner sponsored by Dataw Island members. Each spring, the Dataw Island members host the BHS Football Banquet.

Dataw Island member and football supporter Marilyn Peck congratulated the student athletes on an excellent season and, after spending time at her grandson’s football games, has a new-found appreciation for parents with football kids.

“It’s a lot of hard work having a child in football. Making sure you get them to practice on time, eating right, et cetera. It’s really hard!” she said.

Peck’s late husband, Jonathan Peck, was also an avid football supporter and in his honor, the Jonathan Peck Skills for Life Award is given every year. The Award recognizes an outstanding student athlete who exemplifies the traits that Jon Peck held dear, on and off the field: a positive attitude, ability to get along with everyone, spirituality, appearance, communication skills, and having a plan for improving themselves in academics and in life.