FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 17, 2006
CONTACT: Justine Mitchell, Public Relations Manager, (561) 233-3189, jmitchell@palmbeachsports.com

Sports Achievement Award Announces Round 1 Winners

WEST PALM BEACH, FL - The Palm Beach County Sports Institute is proud to announce the Round 1 winners of the Palm Beach County Sports Achievement Awards, presented by ESPN Radio 760.  These outstanding young athletes will be honored at the South Florida Fair on Saturday, January 14 at 3:00 p.m. on the Expo East Building Stage.

And the winners are:

Hannah Coy of Water’s Edge Elementary, Kenneth Gessesse Hawthorne of Northboro Elementary, Lexie Grizzle of Spanish River Christian School, Joaquin Andrew Hernandez of L.C. Swain Middle School, Lecia Brown of Suncoast High School and William Clark of Park Vista High School.

Female

Elementary:         

Hannah Coy – Hannah is a 4th grader at Waters Edge Elementary School in Boca Raton.  She plays for the Boca United travel club, at one and sometimes two levels above her age group. Hannah is a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) student who is conscientious in all subject areas, enjoys learning and sharing what she has learned.  She always looks to help others by performing does good deeds, such as assisting other students with school work. 

Middle:                

Lexie Grizzle –Lexie is an 8th grader at Spanish River Christian School in Boca Raton with a 4.0 GPA.  She has made the varsity team in four sports for all three of her middle school years.  Lexie is the only student to have won the Gold Coast League Championship three years in a row with the volleyball team. At the championships she was named to the All-Tournament Team.  Lexie has also played in the Boca Raton city soccer program for eight years and is also a travel soccer player.  She has received the Servant Award and Coaches Award from various school teams.  Lexie is a participating member of the National Junior Honor Society.  She has held a student council officer position for both her 7th and 8th grade years and is a leader in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  She constantly volunteers for various service events that affect her community.

High School:        

Lecia Brown – Lecia Brown, a 12th grader at Suncoast Community High School  is a National Achievement Commended Scholar.  She is a track and field State Champion in the 400 meter 2A division (since 2002), the 100 meter (2004) and as part of the 4 by 400 relay (2003).  Since 2002, The Palm Beach Post and Sun-Sentinel have named her on the Track and Field First Team.  Lecia is also a volleyball player, who was named athlete of the week for volleyball in 2004 by News Channel 12.  She is enrolled in the International Baccalaureate magnet at Suncoast Community High School and maintains a 3.73 HPA, 3.06 GPA and ranks in the top 15 percent of seniors in Palm Beach County.  Lecia has over 500 hours of documented community service, volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters, United Way and the Comprehensive AIDS Program.  She is a member of the Peer Leaders Club, French Club, Hands Across Campus, Chemistry Club and SECME. 

Male

Elementary:         

Kenneth Gessesse Hawthorne – Gessesse Hawthorne is a 5th grader at Northboro Elementary with a 3.8 GPA.  He is a member of the flag football, basketball and soccer programs at Northboro; his off-campus athletic activities include roller hockey, competing in youth triathlons and will soon start participating in lacrosse.  Gessesse is a member of the school’s Academic Games Team (both math and English), SECME Club and Chess Club.  He is also a member of the school’s safety patrol. 

Middle:                

Joaquin Andrew Hernandez – Joaquin Andrew Hernandez is a 7th grader at L.C. Swain Middle School who has maintained a 4.0 GPA for several years.  He participates and excels in flag football, basketball, soccer and track.  Andrew is in an honors algebra class and plans to join the National Junior Honor Society.  He is also in band and takes part in an after-school program, through which he has volunteered over 50 hours at community events.  He has participated in and helped raise money through the March of Dimes Walk America for two years.

High School:        

William Clark – William Clark is a Park Vista High School 11th grader with a 3.8 GPA and 4.2 HPA.  He is an active member of the varsity football, wrestling, track and weightlifting teams.  His most significant accomplishment this year was to help lead his football team to the regional playoffs.  He is a multi-positional player who handles each role with maturity and determination.  Billy is a member of the National Honor Society, takes rigorous honors and advanced placement classes and is currently ranked 25th in his class.  He was selected as a scholar athlete by the administration and received a scholarship to attend and speak at the Hugh O’Brian World Leadership Conference.  Billy also volunteers endless hours at the Special Olympics as a coordinator, at the Kiwanis Bike Giveaway for children, the Kiwanis Thanksgiving soup kitchen, after school tutoring special needs students and assisting teachers as requested.  He is also the former class of 2007 President and current Student Council President.

Congratulations to all of the winners! Judging for the award is based on: 30 percent academics, 30 percent athletics, 20 percent sportsmanship and 20 percent citizenship.  A distinguished panel of judges from the local business and sports sector along with the Sports Achievement Awards Committee vote on the nominations and winners.

The Sports Institute recognizes a male and female student from elementary school, middle school and high school, three times during the school year with the Sports Achievement Awards. The winners of the three rounds are then made finalists for Athlete of the Year.  If you would like to nominate a student/athlete for Round 2, contact the Sports Institute or visit www.palmbeachsports.com.  The nomination deadline is February 17.

One student from each grade level - elementary, middle and high school - will be named Athlete of the Year at the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame Banquet on Sunday, May 7, 2006 at PGA National Resort and Spa.  For banquet information, contact the Palm Beach County Sports Institute at (561) 233-3180.