by Jamie Harris
What began as a season still reeling from the heartache of the sudden loss of beloved teacher and long-time athletic director Jeff Palmer in September suddenly turned into a celebration of resilience, pride, and pure athletic brilliance this past weekend at Laidley Field. From the heart of Charleston, one incredible family helped lift the entire Paw Paw community to new heights.
Junior Shayla Tanouye made history on Friday, capturing the very first state title in track and field for Paw Paw High School with a standout performance in the long jump. On Saturday morning, she wasn’t done adding a second gold medal in the 300-meter hurdles and finishing runner-up in the 100-meter hurdles. Her dis- play of grit, power, and grace throughout the weekend etched her name into Paw Paw athletics lore.
But the Tanouye story wasn’t finished.
Her older brother, Donovan Tanouye, began his Friday by receiving his high school diploma. He then made his way to Charleston, where he turned in two unforgettable performances on the biggest stage on Saturday. After finishing second in the 1600-meter run, Donovan returned to the track with something to prove in the 800 meters. And prove it he did, running a dominant race that not only earned him the elusive state title he had long worked for, but also broke the Class A state record in the process.
Paw Paw Track and Field Head Coach Anne Helmick beamed with pride, stating, “Our athletes have consistently worked hard all season, and that hard work really paid off when it counted at the state meet. It was awesome to witness school history unfold at Laidley Field!”
Paw Paw Schools Principal Melinda Kasekamp reflected on the long journey the program has taken since its humble beginnings in 2014. “We started with a handful of students. That very first year, we sent a nervous freshman to the state meet. From that moment forward, our students believed they belonged,” she recalled. “Donnie watched those early athletes, practiced, listened, and persevered. Watching his journey from middle school to the top of the podium yesterday is perhaps the greatest athletic story to ever come from PPHS.”
Kasekamp continued, “To not only win a state title but to break the record in doing so it’s been an honor to be a part of it. Donnie is an incredible young man, and the standard for Paw Paw track has now been set by his unmatched talent and work ethic.”
She also praised Shayla Tanouye’s path to greatness, particularly her unexpected rise in the hurdle events. “We only had four hurdles, and we practiced with them in the front parking loop. Shayla took that limited opportunity and turned it into something extraordinary. With limited resources, her passion, heart, and sheer determination car- ried her to two state championships and a silver medal. She has cemented her legacy in Paw Paw athletics forever.”
While this spring’s track season will also be remembered for something much deeper: the way a small school found strength in its sorrow and unity in its pursuit of greatness. Through Donovan and Shayla Tanouye, Paw Paw not only honored the memory of Jeff Palmer, but wrote a brand new chapter in their school’s story one filled with resilience, excellence, and inspiration.
In the face of unimaginable loss, Paw Paw rose—not just to compete, but to make history. And in doing so, they proved that greatness doesn’t come from the size of a school, but from the size of its heart.
