For Immediate Release Contact: May 12, 2016 Jesse Harteis 202-344-9805 [email protected] Josh Barr 202-309-5021 [email protected]

District of Columbia State Athletic Association Announces Student-Athlete Academic Scholarship Winners

Washington, D.C. -- The District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) is proud to announce that 16 high school seniors have been selected to receive $1,000 college scholarships as part of the DCSAA’s partnerships with Modell’s Sporting Goods and Wendy’s restaurants.

The Student-Athlete Academic Scholarship Program winners come from 15 different high schools in the District, including public schools, public charter schools and independent/private schools. The scholarship awards will be used to help cover the cost of tuition and fees, room and board and books at an accredited college or university.

A reception to honor the scholarship winners will be held on Wednesday, May 18 at the Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives, 1201 17th Street NW. The event is open to media.

“Thanks to commitment of partners like Modell’s and Wendy’s, we are able to continue the DCSAA scholarship program and honor these young men and women for all of their contributions in the classroom, in athletics and in the community,” DCSAA Executive Director Clark Ray said. “Our schools are producing many fine young men and women and we are excited to be able to help them as they take the next steps in their education.”

The scholarship winners are:

 Ariel Austin, , Volleyball and Basketball  Jamar Bolden, Coolidge Senior High School, Football and Basketball  Tristan Colaizzi, , Cross-Country and Track and Field  Johanna Flores, E.L. Haynes Public Charter School, Basketball and Volleyball  Merhawi Huwarshek, Francis L. Cardozo Education Campus, Soccer and Tennis  Abigail Kaplan, Georgetown Visitation School, Soccer and Basketball  Leitaiya King, Richard Wright Public Charter School, Volleyball  Kaitlyn Marsh, McKinley Technology High School, Cheerleading  Robert Morina, Eastern Senior High School, Football  Kelechukwu Mpamaugo, St. John’s College High School, Basketball and Volleyball  Favor Ogu, Francis L. Cardozo Education Campus, Basketball and Volleyball  Chima Osuagwu, Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, Basketball and Track and Field  Julia Rakas, Woodrow Wilson Senior High School, Track and Field  Alana Robinson, Duke Ellington School for the Arts, Track and Field  Biruk Tariku, Columbia Heights Education Campus, Soccer and Golf  Julian Wallentin, Georgetown Day School, Soccer

To learn more about the District of Columbia State Athletic Association visit www.dcsaasports.org.

About the District of Columbia State Athletic Association The mission of the District of Columbia State Athletics Association (DCSAA) is to serve member schools and the maximum number of their student-athletes by providing leadership and support for interscholastic athletic programming that will enrich the education experiences of all participants.

The DCSAA will preserve and promote the educational significance of interscholastic athletics by: • Providing for fair competition between member schools; • Promoting sportsmanship and ethical behavior; • Establishing and enforcing standards of conduct for student-athletes, coaches, administrators, officials and spectators; • Protecting the physical well-being of student-athletes and promoting healthy adolescent lifestyles; and • Promoting participation of female and disabled students on member teams.

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