2019 Scholar Athlete's of the Year

Our 7^th Annual Scholar Athlete of the Year award for Richmond Public Schools!!

We would like to give a special Thank you to---

Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Inc.

  for sponsoring our Scholar Athlete special award gifts.

We are proud to announce the 2019 RPS Scholar Athlete of the Year award goes to:

Male Scholar Athlete of the Year

Solomon Harris from Richmond Community HS, participating in Athletics at Armstrong High School (Presenting award – Dr. Willie Bell, Principal’s).

A Senior Scholar roll member, with a 4.6 GPA in his graduating class.

Solomon is the Wrestling team co-captain with 20 pins for his Senior season, a 33-8 overall record. He was the 2019 3B Regional tournament champion and placed 6^th in the State. He was a 2 year Varsity Volleyball Co-Captain and 4 year member of the Tennis team that were the conference champions in 2016 & 2017.

He spends his extended time doing community service through the North Avenue Library where he volunteered for 150 + hours! He is a Northside YMCA leader club volunteer (60+ hours) just to name a few. As well as a member of the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society.

Female Scholar Athlete of the Year

Majestic Colley from George Wythe High School. A Senior, with a 3.92 GPA.  Valedictorian for her graduating class. 

(Presenting award- Ms. Reva Green, Principal)

Majestic is a 3 year letter earner. After recovering from knee surgery last year, she bounced back this season and became an integral part of the Basketball and Volleyball teams. As Volleyball captain she was the go-to player and provided leadership to both her teams.

Majestic was a dual-enrollment student at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and graduated with an associate’s degree on May 11, 2019. She was a honor/scholar roll student during her high school career and the Academic standout for the girls’ basketball team.

She is a leader in community service projects, such as the monthly Litter pick up, Halloween Safe Driving and Steer in the New Year safe Campaign, Canned Good donations for Feed More, Pennies for Patients – Leukemia Foundation. In addition to Majestic’s community service and volunteer participation, she is also participates in Partnership for the Future, SOAR Virginia 529, the GWHS marching band, as well as the National Honor Society.

She will continue her education at Old Dominion University.

Congratulations to all the middle and high school

Scholar Athletes who represent

Richmond Public Schools

 SCHOLAR ATHLETES 2018 -2019

FEBRUARY SCHOLAR ATHLETES

FEMALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE MONTH - Michelle Johnson

 Huguenot High School 

 Grade: 10

GPA: 3.25

Sport: Indoor Track

Athletics: Michelle is a sophomore at with a promising athletic career ahead of her. Although she is in her rookie season of track & field, Michelle has already shown tremendous athletic talent in her indoor track & field events—the 500 meter dash and the 4x400 meter relay. As a rookie, Michelle has solidified a spot on the Varsity Girl’s 4x400 meter relay, that will compete at the Indoor Track & Field Regional Championship meet.

Academics: In the classroom, Michelle is described as being one of the most participatory students in class, as well as being one of the hardest working students in class. In addition to her academic and athletic commitments, Michelle enjoys swimming, bowling, choir and modeling in her spare time. After high school, Michelle plans to attend a 4-year university in Virginia.

 MALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE MONTH - Andrew Smetana

Thomas Jefferson High School

 Grade: 10

GPA: 3.6

Sport: Diving and Baseball

Athletics:  This year, Andrew represented TJ in the state diving competition finishing 10th in the state. Before his final dive, Andrew had worked his way up to 5th . This year he will also be playing baseball for his second year at TJ where he will be pitching and playing infield. 

Academics / Community: Andrew has already drawn attention from schools such as Boston College for his baseball skills and would like to attend there one day to play baseball and major in engineering or business. Outside of school, Andrew assists his mom with community outreach projects she holds for the American Chemical Society.

JANUARY SCHOLAR ATHLETES

FEMALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE MONTH - Adaria Taylor

 Thomas Jefferson High School

 Grade: 10

GPA: 3.00

Sport: Cheer

Athletics / Academics: Adaria is a leader on this year’s cheer squad at Thomas Jefferson High School. As a four year member of TJ’s varsity cheer squad, she has exhibited tremendous work ethic and dependability. Adaria also participates in TJ’s drama club and is involved in producing the yearbook for this year. When she graduates, Adaria plans on attending Virginia State University to pursue a degree in Early Childhood education.

MALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE MONTH - Corvell Poag

Armstrong High School 

Grade: 12

GPA: 3.96

Sport: Wrestling

Athletic Achievements: Corvell  is a 4 year varsity wrestler for the Wildcats’ Wrestling team.  He currently has a 15-3 record, and he pinned his last opponent in 9 seconds.  He placed 7th in the Region last year, was an alternate for the state tournament as a first year wrestler. 

Academic Achievements: Corvell has a 3.96 GPA and is a National Honor Society member.  He is also a member of the Armstrong Leadership Program.  He is in the Teachers For Tomorrow Cadet Program, where he visits George Mason Elementary to volunteer and get hands on experience in the teaching field.     

DECEMBER SCHOLAR ATHLETES

FEMALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE MONTH -   Kwelasia Dudley-Graves

George Wythe High School

Grade: Junior
GPA: 3.0
Sport: Cheerleader

Athletic Achievements:

Kwelasia Graves-Dudley has participated with the George Wythe High School Cheerleading team for the last several years. She was the Athlete of the Week in December for the Bulldogs.

  Academic Achievements:

She has participated in the Bully prevention week. The Breakfast Challenge, The Fall of Action Day and the monthly litter pick up. She is admired by his coaches, administration and his peers. 

MALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE MONTH - Solomon Harris 

Armstrong High School 

Grade: Senior
GPA: 4.5
Sport: Wrestler

Athletic Achievements:

Solomon Harris is a 2^nd wrestler for Armstrong.  He has become a leader on the team in this short period of time.  In the last two weeks, Solomon has won two championship belts in the 185 weight class.  He won the Crimson Hawk and John Verciglio Tournaments respectively.  He also lettered in Volleyball and Tennis for three years.   

Academic Achievements:

Solomon attends Richmond Community High School where he takes a mixture of AP and Honors courses.  He is a model student and citizen as he performs community service for his school.          

NOVEMBER SCHOLAR ATHLETES

FEMALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE MONTH -   Jayla Henderson

Thomas Jefferson High School

Grade: Junior
GPA: 4.4 
Sport: Volleyball and Basktball 

Athletic Achievements:

She has participated in varsity volleyball and basketball all three years she has attended the school.  This season, Jayla is averaging 7.5 pts and 6 rebounds per game.  In TJ’s most recent game, she was the team’s leading scorer vs. Clover Hill.

  Academic Achievements:

Jayla has been a camp leader at Broad Rock Elementary school while also participating in TJ’s annual Trunk or Treat community outreach program for the last three years.  Jayla would like to attend Old Dominion University when she graduates and would like to play basketball while studying Pre-Med.

MALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE MONTH - Jose Bano Camacho

George Wythe High School 

Grade: Junior
GPA: 3.0
Sport: Cross Country

Athletic Achievements:

He has participated with the Soccer and Cross country teams and has worked all season to improve his running times.

  Academic Achievements:

He participated recently in the Bully prevention week activities and is a active member of JROTC.

OCTOBER SCHOLAR ATHLETES

FEMALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE MONTH - Majestic Colley

 GEORGE WYTHE HIGH SCHOOL

Grade: Senior
GPA:3.1
Sport: Volleyball

Athletic Achievements:

Brianna Holley, has participated with the George Wythe High School girls’ volleyball and girls’ basketball teams for three years. Brianna was the athlete of the week for October 22, 2018. 

  Academic Achievements:

Over the years she collected over 90 hours of community service. She has collected Pennies for Patients (annually), Community cleanup project, Tobacco Free campaign, she supported the Breast Cancer Awareness Workshops. She has even participated in the Bully prevention week. She has collected canned goods for the Feed More, Red Ribbon Week, she participated with the Steer into the New Year Campaign with VA Youth Speak Out. She is admired by administration and her peers.

MALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE MONTH - Todd Hicks

THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL

 
Grade: Senior
GPA : 3.2
Sport: Football
Athletic Achievements: 

THIS YEAR TODD HAS 1 INTERCETION, A FORCED FUMBLE, A FUMBLE RECOVERY AND 2 PASS DEFLECTIONS WITH 20 TACKLES IN THE GAME AGAINST ARMSTRONG HIGH SCHOOL, TODD HAD A KEY INTERCEPTION IN SECURING THOMAS JEFFERSON’S VICTORY ALONG WITH TALLYING 6 TACKLES. TODD HAS BEEN A 4 YEAR LETTER RECIPIENT FOR FOOTBALL AND IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE THOMAS JEFFERSON BASEBALL TEAM.

Academic And Community Achievements:

TODD IS AN ACTIVE MEMBER IN HIS LOCAL CHURCH AND REGULARLY USHERS AND SINGS IN THE CHOIR. TODD WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY FOR MASS COMMUNICATIONS IF HE DOES NOT RECEIVE OPPORTUNITES TO CONTINUE HIS ATHLTIC CAREER.

SEPTEMBER SCHOLAR ATHLETES

FEMALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE MONTH - Mykayla Osborne

ARMSTRONG HIGH SCHOOL

Grade: Senior 
GPA:3.8
Sport: Cheer

 Athletic Achievements:

Mykayla is a 4-year varsity cheerleader for the Lady Wildcats. A member of the All City champion winning squad - 2 years in a row!! She leads by example on and off the floor and represents Armstrong High School with class.

  Academic Achievements:

Mykayla attends Richmond Community High School where she is the president of Future Business Leaders of America. Mykayla also is a member of the National Tech Honor Society and volunteers at the Southside Boys and Girls Club. She has worked hard to maintain a 3.8 cumulative GPA all while being a team leader at Chick-fil-A. Mykayla is described as a fun loving, humble, and energetic student-athlete.

MALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE MONTH - Mikel Merritte 

JOHN MARSHALL HIGH SCHOOL 

Grade: Junior
GPA: 3.2
Sport: Football  

Athletic Achievements:

Mikel is a Junior starter for our varsity football team. He caught an amazing interception in addition to 87 receiving yards in the game against Petersburg at the start of the season. He also returned a 75 yard put for a touchdown in our 1^st game against George Wythe.

  Academic Achievements:

Mikel is a Junior who works hard on and off the field. 

DECEMBER SCHOLAR ATHLETES

FEMALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE MONTH - 

MALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE MONTH -