The Anguilla Tennis Academy (ATA) management and coaches are lauding the efforts of Nzingha Banks, Tamisha Richardson, Avern Gumbs , Keon Halley and Sabrina Connor on their recent accomplishments both in tennis and academics. These graduates of the ATA are currently attending college on tennis athletic scholarships. The Founder and President of the Anguilla Tennis Academy Mr. Mitchelle Lake is very pleased to see his vision come to pass through these players and stated, “I am proud of our college athletes and the many accolades they are receiving while being student athletes. I am also proud of our local coaches who have worked with them over the many years to prepare them for their college experience. The ATA is certainly making a positive difference in the lives of our children.”
Nzingha Banks
To wrap up the Spring 2016 semester, Nzingha Banks, continues to excel in her fourth year as a Washburn University Ichabod. Nzingha will continue another year to complete the Finance component of her dual major, Accounting & Finance along with courses to required to sit the CPA exam. This semester, she has been honored a fourth time for the MIAA Honor roll. She is also a recipient of the Dale Marcoux Leadership Scholarship and the Rotary International scholarship.
The MIAA Honor Roll is awarded to student athletes who have excelled in the classroom in spite of their sports commitment. The Dale C. Marcoux Leadership Scholarship is one of Washburn’s School of Business scholarships that have “strong academic background and the promise of becoming future leaders”. Nzingha was one of thirty (30) students who received this prestigious award. The Rotary International Scholarship is awarded to two student scholars per year on campus. Nzingha was one of the students nominated this semester by the Director of the International Programs, Mr. Baili Zhang.
Tamisha Richardson
Tamisha Richardson of Virginia State University received the “Highest GPA Award” and the “Academic Achievement Award” this semester. Tamisha retains a 4.0 GPA and was one of two female tennis players from the Lady Trojans tennis team selected to appear in the Diverse Issue in Higher Education Magazine for their outstanding performance in academics. Tamisha has shown that her talent is not only on the tennis court but in academics as well. Virginia State University is the first University to be featured in this national magazine. Tamisha Richardson was also presented with the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award for her outstanding accomplishments. Congratulations Tamisha on your outstanding performance both on the court and in the classroom.
Avern Gumbs
Avern Gumbs, successfully ended her third season at Clark Atlanta University as a Clark Atlanta Lady Panther. The Lady panther doubles tandem of Avern Gumbs and Tori Pradier, playing mostly at the number one doubles position in the 2016 Spring Tennis Semester, achieved a conference record of W12-4L and an overall record of W12-10L. As a result of their hard work, Gumbs and Pradier were awarded 2nd Team Doubles All-Conference. Avern achieved a singles record of W8-4L playing at the number 4 tennis position and an overall singles record of W8-10L. In addition, Avern Gumbs alongside nineteen (19) other students at Clark Atlanta University became the newest members of Alpha Kappa Mu Honors Society. Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society is a general scholarship honor society open to junior and senior men and women in all academic areas who meet the requirements of the society. The purpose is to promote scholarships and to encourage sincere and zealous endeavor in all fields of knowledge and service; to cultivate a high order of personal living; and to develop an appreciation for scholarship and scholarly endeavor in others. Among other requirements, an undergraduate student shall be eligible to be elected as a collegiate member if the individual: has a minimum grade-point average of 3.3, is ranked in the upper 10 percent of the class, and exemplifies good character. Avern Gumbs displayed qualifications in all required areas and continues to excel both on the tennis court and in the classroom. Avern completed her junior year at Clark Atlanta University with a perfect 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA).
Sabrina Connor
Sabrina Connor, recently completed her first semester at Virginia Union University (VUU) in Richmond, VA, where she is a Mass Communications major and a varsity tennis player. As the #1 player on the VUU Lady Panther’s Tennis Team she competed against the top girls from every school in the CIAA conference. At the end of the season Sabrina was voted Most Valuable Player (MVP) for VUU women’s tennis 2015-2016. Her coach, Guy Walton is extremely proud of her and is impressed with her performance, especially given that she is the youngest of the group. Having been selected earlier this term for the Marketing Team of the Student Government Association (SGA), Sabrina was recently appointed Director of Communications for that organization. Additionally, the VUU Department of Athletics recruited Sabrina to report their varsity sports news and current events – in particular to conduct televised interviews of VUU Panther athletes during the upcoming season. Even with her demanding schedule on and off the tennis courts, Sabrina managed to maintain excellent grades in the classroom, earning a perfect 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) for her first semester at VUU.
Keon Halley
Keon Halley, just completed his second season with the Men’s Tennis Team at Virginia State University (VSU) where he is a Hospitality Management major. In addition to his busy academic and athletic schedule, Keon is an active member of the International Student Organization (ISO) on campus. This past year, serving as their Webmaster, he was responsible for public relations and media management for the group. Having recently been elected ISO President, he looks forward to serving a much greater leadership role in the coming year. Keon is deeply grateful to God for his athletic scholarship and wish to thank Director of the Anguilla Tennis Academy (ATA) Mitchelle Lake, his coaches, family and friends for all their continued support and guidance.
