Alpha Charter School student Jamya Smith made history Sept. 6 as the first female athlete to compete in cross country for Alpha Charter School when she represented the school at the Lion’s Den Invitational at 3C Park in Ennis.
“To be the first female to run for Alpha Charter is exhilarating,” the student athlete said. “I was very apprehensive because I haven’t run cross country in years. I was very determined to place and finish the race strong.”
Jamya thanked her coaches for helping her be a better athlete and student.
“Cross Country and Track Coach Rubin is the best athletic trainer I have ever worked with and will get me where I need to be,” she said. “Athletic Director and Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach Osby is the most determined and strict coach I know. And last but not least Coach Polk, varsity girls’ and elementary school girls’ volleyball coach, is the most positive person I know and I also want to thank him for pushing me to be better.”
Also competing in the event were Henry Actwood and Te’micheon Stephney as the first male athletes to compete in cross country for Alpha Charter School.
“It feels good to be one of the first athletes to run cross-country for Alpha Charter,” Henry said. “This opportunity doesn’t co
me for everybody and I feel truly blessed. This is also getting me ready for the basketball and track season and while running I felt like I was the fastest runner out there.”
Te’micheon also enjoyed representing Alpha Charter School.
“It feels good to be one of the first to run cross country at Alpha,” he said. “It’s a good school and is building every day.”
T’micheon added that he had never run cross country or participated in any sports and said that he is glad to have had the opportunity.
The coaching staff is grateful to have an experienced, capable student manager, Devonzell Hollingsworth. He is the first student manager of all sports at Alpha Charter School and has excelled in that capacity for the last two seasons.
“It feels good to be the first manager in Alpha Charter School history and to work with the coaches,” Devonzell said. “It also feels good to be able to go the first cross country and track meets.”