Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Fort Dodge's Meah McCaleb poses with the 2025 Florence Nordman Award next to her parents, Quennel and Lacey. The Nordman Award is given annually to the top female athlete at FDSH.

For years, Meah McCaleb honed her craft — moving from sport to sport, day by day, working to become not just a better performer but a more well-rounded leader.

The dedication ultimately led the recently-graduated senior to the 2025 Florence Nordman Award, given annually to the top female senior athlete at Fort Dodge Senior High.

McCaleb’s high school journey was more about the process than the product, though. She found success and recognition as an athlete, but more importantly, discovered a lot about herself as a person.

“I’ve learned that I don’t need to be anyone else (beyond) who I am,” said McCaleb, an all-conference performer in volleyball, basketball and softball who also lettered in tennis and track. “I know what I’m capable of and the work that comes with it.

“If you have a dream or goal, chase it. Don’t let anyone get in your way. I can do great things and every day is not going to be perfect, but (instead), a new opportunity to get better. It’s OK to struggle. I learned to believe in myself.”

McCaleb was a unanimous first team all-Iowa Alliance Conference selection in volleyball for a second consecutive season last fall. She led the Northern Division in digs, while also landing near the top for kills and aces.

McCaleb went to Las Vegas in 2024 after being selected to compete for the Iowa Power Volleyball Alliance in a 17U national tournament.

While volleyball became her primary sport and first love, that didn’t stop McCaleb from excelling on the hardwood and the diamond. She ranks among the Top-5 Dodgers all-time for career assists and steals in basketball, as well as runs scored and stolen bases in softball.

Again, the statistics and honors paled in comparison to the experiences and friendships for McCaleb, though.

“All of my memorable moments were with my teams,” McCaleb said. “Any accomplishments, jokes, awards … are because of my teammates. I will always be grateful for that.

“I also loved interacting with kids who looked up to me, and being a good role model for them.”

McCaleb took the responsibility of being in the public spotlight while at FDSH seriously.

“People are always watching. People always have something to say. People are always looking for someone to follow,” said McCaleb, who was also involved in National Honor Society, Health Occupation Students of America, Dodger Senate, and helped with an ongoing garden project through the school. “I know I can’t be perfect in everyone’s eyes, but I would love for my teammates and fans to look for and adore traits in me that maybe they can (emulate).

“It’s important because it grows and changes the game. The better person you are on and off the court or field, the better athlete you will be in general. You can make an impact on so many people around you.”

Fort Dodge softball coach Andi Adams said McCaleb “made many of the most athletic plays I’ve ever seen, and was so versatile for us at the plate and on the field.”

“Meah was an integral part of what we accomplished here the last four years,” Adams said, noting that the Dodgers won 127 games and qualified for three state tournaments with McCaleb in the starting lineup. “I wish her the best of luck at Iowa Central with her volleyball career and beyond.”

Dodger girls basketball coach Scott Messerly called McCaleb “such a well-rounded student-athlete.”

“She was a great teammate, first and foremost,” Messerly said of his three-year starter. “Meah is a very smart, athletic player, whose ability level and understanding of the game is what you wish you had in every kid.

“She’ll be very hard to replace.”

McCaleb hopes that playing for head coach Sara Horn and a national powerhouse program like Iowa Central volleyball makes her “become a better version of myself — not only as an athlete but as a student.

“I’m going into a demanding career field, so school is very important and it starts here,” McCaleb said. “I want to become a pharmacist as of right now, and possibly apply my skills in the coaching world and help younger athletes as well.

“Focus and hard work are two things I’ll use for a long time to get to where I want to be.”

McCaleb is the school’s 53rd Nordman Award winner, dating back to 1973.

“It means a lot to me, knowing that all the work and sacrifices didn’t go unnoticed,” McCaleb said. “I’m honored to share the award with so many great athletes and leaders that have also walked the halls of FDSH (through the decades).”

McCaleb also appreciates the unconditional love she’s received during her time as a Dodger — both on and off the court or field.

“I’d like to thank my family for supporting me every step of the way,” McCaleb said. “My volleyball coaches had some of the biggest impacts on me, and continue to (do so). I’ll forever be grateful for that.

“I had many people (there for) me throughout my entire career (at FDSH). Silent or loud, it didn’t go unnoticed.”

FDSH NORDMAN AWARD WINNERS

2025 Meah McCaleb

2024 Mackenzie McIlrath

2023 Lainey Maehl

2022 Tory Bennett and Jalen Adams

2021 Tristin Doster

2020 Kathryn Cochrane

2019 Daphne Alstott

2018 Beth Murman

2017 Maggie Harvey

2016 Madi Bennett

2015 Mallory Kilian

2014 Lexi Astor

2013 Nicole Cook

2012 Tara Jackson

2011 Rachel Evans

2010 Abby Edwards

2009 Marisa Wilson

2008 Courtney Vaughn

2007 Molly Eslick

2006 Kendra Gansz

2005 Morgan Paulson

2004 Haley Griffith

2003 Toshia Burrell

2002 Katie Gronbach

2001 Sarah Feltman

2000 Jessica Salvatore

1999 Mandy Pilcher

1998 Molly Nelson

1997 Tammy Jordison

1996 Stacey Bergman

1995 Tammy Utley

1994 Jill Moser

1993 Courtney Kopp

1992 Eydie Stillwell

1991 Nikki Dilliard

1990 Clare Kelly

1989 Mitzi Pilcher

1988 Brooke Helmkamp

1987 Jenny Tibbits

1986 Christi Herzberg

1985 Kris Huffman

1984 Monica Miller

1983 Melanie Broer and Mary Fischbach

1982 Jolene Peterson

1981 Ann Erickson

1980 Kim Pullen

1979 Brenda Danner

1978 Sue Reitsma

1977 Kim Barnes

1976 Jennifer Thompson

1975 Diane Johnson

1974 Kimberly Hearn

1973 Patricia Johnson