The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) recently released the names of the 2011-12 academic award winners, and Southwest Mississippi Community College was well represented with eight student-athletes on the list.
Awards given are the Pinnacle Award for Academic Excellence (4.0 GPA), Superior Academic Achievement (3.80-3.99 GPA) and Exemplary Academic Achievement (3.60-3.79 GPA).
To obtain one of the national academic honors, student-athletes must have a qualifying GPA and must have completed at least three full-time semesters and have at least 45 semester credit hours or four full-time quarters and at least 60 quarter credit hours. They must also have competed on the varsity level in at least one season.
Southwest’s NJCAA Pinnacle Award for Academic Excellence winners are Rachel Cox of Franklin County High School (soccer), Johnny McKenzie of Tylertown High School (baseball), Lacey Orr of Enterprise Attendance Center (basketball) and Austin Terrell of Parklane Academy (baseball).
Receiving the NJCAA Award for Superior Academic Achievement are Aseye Attipoe of Long Beach (softball) and Camden Graham of Pass Christian (softball).
Receiving the NJCAA Award for Exemplary Academic Achievement are Parker Moore of Parklane Academy (basketball) and Trey Setzer of Jackson (baseball).
“I’m pleased with this national recognition that our athletes have received,” Southwest president Dr. Steve Bishop said. “I know they work hard on the field and court and this is evidence they work hard in the classroom, too. It’s refreshing to see that those students who represent the college and spend a great deal of time in athletic preparation still place a high priority on their studies. “
Bishop also said the awards were evidence that Southwest coaches place importance on not only athletic performance, but also academic performance.
“I would like to commend our coaches and faculty for setting high standards for all of our students,” he said.
