The Alliance News

NEWS

NEWS RELEASE

 For Immediate Release

 Contacts: Everette Pearsall 410-551-3462

 

African American Scholar Athletes receive top Honors

 Los Angeles, CA (December 29, 2008) – On Saturday, February 21, 2009, at 6:00pm, The National Alliance of African American Athletes (The Alliance) will recognize another stellar group of high school athletes from across the nation for the Franklin D. Watkins Memorial Award. The award is presented each year to the nation's top African American male high school scholar athlete.

 The five finalists in alphabetical order are: CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS

 *  Christopher Burnette of LaGrange, Georgia – Chris is a member of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, volunteers for Tiger Team School Mentorship Program, National Merit Scholar, and an Army All American All Star.  He participates in football and track & field at Troup County High School and maintains a 5.1 GPA.

 

*  Jelani Jenkins of Silver Spring, Maryland -  Jelani is a member of the National Honor Society, Black Student Association, Xaverian Leadership, volunteers for Eyas Advisor Mentoring, and an Under Armour All American.  He participates in football and track & field for Our Lady of Good Counsel High School while maintaining a 3.96 GPA.

 

*  Jamal-Rashad Patterson of McDonough, Georgia – Jamal is member of the Who’s Who Among Americans, National Society of High School Scholars, United States Achievement Academy, National Beta Club, and an Under Armour All American.  He participates in football is a state track champion at Henry County High School while maintaining a 4.65 GPA.

 

*  Jemari Roberts of Long Beach, California - Jemari is a member of the Distinguished Scholars Program, President of XMen Service Club, volunteer coach for The Youth Soccer League and 1^st Team All Moore league.  He participates in football and track & field at Wilson High School while maintaining a 3.9 GPA.

 

*  Richard Wilson of Spanish Fork, UT -  Richard is an Academic All Region, received the Hope of American Award, member of HOSA Club and volunteers countless hours at his church with youth.  He participates in football and track & field at Spanish Fork High School where he maintains a 3.8 GPA.

 The Watkins Award ceremony will be held at the prestigious Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California.  

 "The 2009 Watkins Award features another year of fine student athletes," Everette Pearsall, Executive Director of The Alliance, shares.  “Each of these young men is well equipped for success academically. We have continued to recognize and honor the premier African American Scholar Athletes in the United States.”

 Finalists are chosen based on their unweighted grade point average, their personal statements, extra curricular activities, community service, and letters of recommendation. Each winner will be recognized in Beverly Hills, receive an award, ring, and dinner in their hometown.

 Sponsors of this year’s event include Deloitte & Touche, LLP, Disney, Peoples Financial Services, Pink’s Hot Dogs, Remy Martin, Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles, Nash Management Group, Norman Lewis Limousine, Ehlers Cadillac, and Jostens Corporation who manufactures and donates the Watkins Award trophy and rings.

 Media representatives are invited to cover the awards ceremony. For more information about the Watkins Award, The Alliance, or to get tickets for the awards ceremony visit our website at www.naaaa.com or email everedy@aol.com  

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                                                                                The Watkins Award is presented annually to African American scholar-athletes since 1992, the Watkins Award is named for Franklin D. Watkins, the coach of championship football and basketball teams in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  Previous awardees include Rhodes Scholar, Myron Rolle, Justin Blalock of the Atlanta Falcons, Ted Ginn Jr. of the Miami Dolphins, Lorenzo Alexander of the Washington Redskins, Arizona Cardinals Robert Tate, Darnell Dinkins of the Cleveland Browns, LaVarr Arrington of the New York Giants, Grant Irons and Ronald Curry of the Oakland Raiders, Deryck Toles of the Indianapolis Colts, Marcedes Lewis of Jacksonville Jaguars, Ernie Sims of the Detroit Lions, and Darius Walker of the Houston Texans.

 

The National Alliance of African American Athletes was founded in 1989.  The mission of The Alliance is to empower African American males through athletics, education and public programs

 

12^th Annual Watkins “Teen Summit” ..information.

 

The nationwide “Watkins Award “for African American High School Male Scholar Athletes.