Posters of Lady Cougars in the WSLA gymnasium
The Gary Community School Corporation heightened focus on academics is changing the game for student athletes. Now more than ever, scholars are striving for excellence with a total of 45 students holding a GPA of 3.5 or greater this quarter. This trend of academic excellence among student athletes is setting a new standard for the community and changing the expectations of athletes.
“Without question, our students are intelligent,” said Athletic Director Robert Lee. “They just have to be challenged and held accountable, which is what the coaching staff has strived to instill.”
For example, West Side Leadership Academy’s 2022 graduating class, valedictorian and star athlete Jaylen Washington went on to play basketball at the University of North Carolina. Senior athlete De’Eric Mister holds a 4.0 GPA and recently committed to play football for Minnesota.
And if raising the bar academically wasn’t enough, the players and teams have been consistently acknowledged for their sportsmanship.
Recent reports submitted to the IHSAA offer the following accolades:
“These young men and the coaches should be proud of how they represented their school and community,” said Thomas Hansing of Ben Davis H.S. in Indianapolis. “The entire team was respectful… they respected their coach, but most importantly, they respected the officiating crew and the game.”
Each athletic team in the district has study tables, mentorships, and support from the coaching staff and community. The launch of the booster club last fall has allowed the teams to receive donated meals from local businesses and organizations before games and when they travel. Through sponsorships and the continuous support of the community, District officials are claiming a strong and bright future for its student athletes.
“These kinds of academic victories come with commitment and consistency by all parties,” said GCSC Manager Dr. Paige McNulty. “Teachers, administrators, coaching staff and parents have come together in the name of supporting student success on and off the field.”
Listed below are the athletes from West Side Leadership Academy who earned a 3.5 or higher GPA for the 2nd quarter:
Heaven Anderson
Regan Bandy
Lala Bell
Jalacion Brown
Halle Bradley
Justin Cain
Caleb Cheatham
Joseph Coburn
Bryce Cooper
Chenyze DeBerry
Nyanna Fillilove
Milton Green
Ineidra Guyton-Williams
Takiyah Hearst
Jamar Henderson
Reginald Hinton
Julian Holmes
Ariel Johnson
Asia Johnson
Trent Jones
Antwan Jordan
Jasmine King
Laniah King Reeves
Ta’Veon Lee
De’Eric Mister
Jayden Rodgers
Kaleb Schultz
Terrance Schultz
Noah Simmons
Mariah Swain
Kaniya Upshaw
Courtney Watson
Quynci Williams
Ta’Nyia Williamson
Venay Wright
For the latest sports schedules and district news, visit garyschools.org.
