King County students to be honored with annual Paul Robeson Scholar-Athlete Awards




	Feb. 26, 2002 Sims to honor 800 local scholar-athletes Awards ceremony celebrates the academic achievements, goals and dreams of tomorrow's leaders King County Executive Ron Sims, along with Art Thiel, sports columnist with the Seattle Post Intelligencer, will lead an impressive lineup of speakers honoring over 800 King County students at the 15th annual Paul Robeson Scholar-Athlete Awards Ceremony. The ceremony will take place: Wednesday, February 27, 2002 5 p.m. - Doors open for registration of recipients 6 p.m - 7 p.m. Ceremony Program Stadium Exhibition Hall 1000 First Avenue South, Seattle The Attraction, Ewajo Dance Centre, and the Intensity Band will provide entertainment throughout the evening. “The Paul Robeson Scholar-Athlete Award Program is committed to motivating our youth to work hard and find a healthy and enriching balance between books and the playing field,” said Executive Sims. "I look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of our local achievers." The Paul Robeson Scholar-Athlete Award Program was created in 1986, by then County-Councilmember Sims and Lt. Ronald Sylve of the Seattle Police Department. Sims and Sylve wished to nurture and celebrate students who excel in both academics and athletics. The program recognizes student athletes from kindergarten through the sophomore year in high school who earn a 3.0 GPA or above while participating in athletics. Former two time award recipient and 2000 Magna Cum Laude graduate of Harvard, Kibi Anderson, will keynote the evening event. Ms. Anderson will be joined by Seattle Seahawk Shawn Springs in honoring the students for their dedication in the classroom and on the playing field. Anderson and Springs have both experienced success on the playing field and see the value of a strong education. The award is named after Paul Robeson (1898 - 1976), the internationally acclaimed actor and singer who was also a brilliant scholar and athlete. Robeson was a Phi Beta Kappa Scholar and Valedictorian at Rutgers University who spoke and wrote more than 20 languages. As an athlete, Robeson was a star catcher in baseball, a stellar player and coach in basketball, one of the first African Americans to be named an All-American in college football and one of the first African Americans to play and star in professional football. Robeson used his fame to advance the cause of civil rights. "We began this awards program as a way to honor a great man and recognize the achievements of young people," said Sims. "What we know now, in our 15th year is that among this year's recipients and throughout this county, the next Paul Robeson will most certainly emerge." The program is sponsored by Starbucks, VULCAN, Qwest, Wells Fargo, Universal Field Services, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and Cadman. Updated: March 1, 2002 Executive's home \| Executive's news Executive's e-mail King County \| Executive \| News \| Services \| Comments \| Search Links to external sites do not constitute endorsements by King County. By visiting this and other King County web pages, you expressly agree to be bound by terms and conditions of the site. The details.