Peter Wininger received the Ralph Papazian Leadership Award

Breakfast of Champions and Ralph Papazian Leadership Award

Bristol’s Tradition “The Breakfast Of Champions”, sponsored by the BSHOF, is held each year the Wednesday before the annual Thanksgiving Day football game between Bristol Central High School and Bristol Eastern High School. This year 125 athletes, coaches and guests from BC, BE and St. Paul Catholic high schools attended.

Each year the Ralph Papazian Leadership Award, sponsored by First Bristol Federal Credit Union, is given to a person who demonstrates the leadership qualities that Mr. Papazian demonstrated in his teaching, coaching and public service to Bristol. The 2016 recipient is Peter Wininger, Principal, Teacher and Coach. Mr Wininger is a graduate of St Paul Catholic High School, Western New England College and is currently the Principal of Bristol Central High School.

In his acceptance speech Mr Wininger gave a powerful message to student athletes on being a leader.

“Leadership is defined by actions. What you do in life defines you and determines how you’re viewed in that position. Do you think about the potential impact on others before making a choice? How hard are you working? Are you encouraging your teammates? Are you dogging it in practice? The choices you make in the classroom, on the field, in the gym, on and off the court all contribute to your development as a leader. It’s not always what you are doing when people are watching that defines who you are; it’s what you do when people aren’t watching.”

In closing Mr. Wininger offered a quote from John Quincy Adams. “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”