MARCH 5, 2009

DC Sports and Entertainment CommissionReceives Community Impact Award

Positive Choices and Friendship Collegiate Academy Announce Student and Community Award Winners

(Washington, DC) – The DC Sports and Entertainment Commission was among those honored Wednesday night by Positive Choices and the Friendship Collegiate Academy at a special Student-Athlete Awards Banquet held at the DC Armory.

Positive Choices President Aazaar Abdul-Rahim presented the “Positive Choices Community Impact Award” to the DC Sports and Entertainment Commission (DCSEC), in recognition of the Commission’s continuous support of sports, entertainment and other recreational activities benefiting D.C. youth. The DCSEC first began working with Positive Choices in 2003 and has supported their summer camps and youth recreational activities since that time. This past year, the DCSEC worked with the organization on a volunteer program designed to encourage teamwork, responsibility, structure and self-worth among its members.

“It is an honor for the Commission to be recognized by an organization like Positive Choices,” said Erik Moses, Chief Executive Officer of the DCSEC. “One of the Commission’s goals is to provide opportunities for the personal and professional development of youth through various sports and entertainment-related initiatives. The young men and women honored at the banquet exemplified what can be achieved when youth are given the opportunity to succeed.”

Positive Choices, an organization dedicated to shaping and enriching the lives of disadvantaged inner-city youth - handed out five individual student valor and virtue awards for unwavering commitment to athletic and academic excellence and community service, while the Friendship Collegiate Academy football coaching staff honored members of the varsity and junior varsity football teams for their achievements during the 2008 season.

Throughout the night, many of the students remarked how fortunate they feel to be a part of the Friendship Collegiate Academy family. Varsity football player Cardale Kindle, a junior, said, “We have a wonderful coaching staff that’s always available to us on and off the field. They really care about us and want us to succeed.”

Students also commented on their various year-round involvements with Positive Choices. Kennedy Ogbonna, a fellow Friendship Collegiate Academy junior and varsity football player said, “Our team has done a lot with Positive Choices outside of school. We’re happy to help out and do whatever we can for the community. It’s been a great experience.” 
This year’s winners include:

Positive Choices Awards:

• Community Impact Award - DC Sports and Entertainment Commission     
• Man of Valor - Community Service Award - Kareem Frazier
• Man of Valor - Academic Excellence Award - Rashad Price
• Man of Valor - Most Improved Award - Bernad Duncan-Mcnair
• Ladies of Virtue - Community Service Award - Chanielle Jackson / Amber Currie

Friendship Collegiate Academy Varsity Football Awards:

• Most Valuable Player - Jaron Gillespie
• Offensive Player of the Year - Richard Washington
• Defensive Player of the Year - Gabriel Smith
• Knight Award - Steven Brooks
• Newcomer of the Year - Charles Bailey
• Varsity Football Senior Award