Mr. Mitchelle Lake (after signing contract)
Government Officials
The crowded reception area of the Anguilla Tennis Academy erupted in applause when the announcement was made on Tuesday evening, this week, that young Avern Gumbs of North Side had been awarded a tennis scholarship to attend Clarke Atlanta University in Georgia.
For Avern, who will be 17 next month, it is a dream unfolding. She began playing tennis at the age of three while a student at the Prophecy Pre-School. She excelled in the sport during her years at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, winning the admiration and support of her coaches and fellow players.She has now been listed on the Tennis Academy’s Wall of Fame and is the third Anguillian to have won a prestigious tennis scholarship.
Founder and CEO of the Tennis Academy, Mitchelle Lake,commended Avern for being the recipient of a full tennis athletic scholarship. “Avern’s scholarship covers tuition, room, board and books and is valued at US$30,150 per year. This amounts to a grand total of US$120, 600over the next four years,” he told his listeners.
Speaking directly to her, Mr. Lake, who, in his teen years was the winner of a tennis scholarship through the efforts of the late Eric Martineau, said: “Avern, your hard work, determination and commitment to the game of tennis, and the Anguilla Tennis Academy, has paid off. You will be added to the ATA’s Wall of Fame to join Keithroy Proctor and Nzinga Banks, both of whom were also recipients of tennis athletic scholarships.”
Mr. Lake said that Clark Atlanta University was a recognised, historic American University, competing in Division ll in National Tennis Competitions. He continued: “Avern started playing tennis at the tender age of three. She was small in stature but that was quickly overlooked because of her competitive drive, determination and strong work ethic. 2001 was a pivotal year for Avern. She was awarded for being the Most Disciplined…at the Annual Anguilla Tennis Academy Summer Camp. This was the start of many achievements. In addition to her individual achievements, Avern remained conscious of the saying ‘to whom much is given, much is expected’. She volunteered to coach the younger children in the after-school programme and assisted the ATA facility during school holidays. She has developed a strong bond with the younger children in our after-school programme, while learning how to coach, and conducting lessons.
“The ATA is committed to providing opportunities to children and encourage them through the sport of tennis. Through the years, because of the ATA’s pioneering efforts in Anguilla and the Caribbean, many people have joined in this shared vision, thus providing the ATA’s administrators with various contacts throughout the world. These contacts link the ATA with many people in the tennis industry and have provided participants in the Anguilla Tennis Academy programme with jobs, tennis vacations, exchange opportunities and tennis scholarships. Today, Avern’s dream of going to school on a full scholarship is being realised.”
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Mrs.Chanelle Petty Barrett, said in a letter to Avern: “On behalf of the Ministry of Social Development (Sports), it is my pleasure to congratulate you on being the beneficiary of a scholarship to pursue higher education while further developing your skills in the sport of tennis. The fact that you have been afforded this wonderful opportunity demonstrates that hard work and diligence pay off.
“Like the entire Anguillian community, our Ministry is proud of your accomplishments and we trust that you will continue to be a positive role model for other young people and a good ambassador for Anguilla.”
Chief Education Officer, Mrs. Rhonda Connor, told Avern: “We honour your achievements and we celebrate the promise that you represent for our country, Anguilla, in the months and years ahead. You have made us all very proud. No one can know for sure what opportunities life will offer in the future. What can be sure, however, is that preparation, practice, self-discipline and good character will continue to open many more doors for you. I encourage you to…set lofty goals for yourself and to pursue excellence in everything that you do. My heartiest congratulations, and may God continued bless you and all those persons who contributed to your success or touched your life in a positive way.”
Avern, who played in the US Tennis Open, was also commended by her local coaches – Marvin Hazell and Loren Hunte – as well as by Autumn Williams who will work with her at Clark Atlanta University. “Here at Clark Atlanta we practice the five A’s: Academics, Accountability, Athletics, Accessibility and Ambassadorship,” he wrote in a letter. “From the recruiting process, Avern has shown she values the same as we do. I am more than confident that Avern will fit into the mould that is Clark Atlanta University with grace, excitement and determination.”
Replying, Avern, who struggled with emotion, said in part: Never under-estimate the dreams of a young child because mine are becoming a reality…Much hard work, dedication, motivation and persistence have brought me to where I am today.” She was grateful to her parents, Avonella Griffith and Vernon Gumbs, for their support, and for the support of Mitchelle Lake, who encouraged her to achieve her goal, Chris Wade and other coaches, personnel in the Ministry and Department of Education, family and friends. She added that she was delighted with the Clark Atlanta University scholarship – due to begin in September this year – and that she was still making up her mind with respect to her course of studies.
Her mother, who, along with Mitchelle Lake, was an early tennis student of the late Mr. Martineau, thanked a long list of persons for supporting Avern whom she said had made her family proud of her.
