CHAPEL HILL – – The North Carolina National Guard has joined the North Carolina High School Athletic as a sponsor honoring high school athletes who achieve academic excellence, the NCHSAA announced today.
The North Carolina National Guard will be sponsoring the Association's popular Scholar-Athlete program, according to North Carolina High School Athletic Association commissioner Davis Whitfield.
The program awards North Carolina high school athletes who display exemplary academic performance.
"We are excited to have the National Guard on board as part of the Association's corporate partner family," said Whitfield. "It is a organization that promotes leadership, which is in line with the core values and beliefs of the NCHSAA. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship."
Individual Scholar-Athletes attain at least a 3.5 grade point average for the semester in which he or she competed. The award is based on first semester grades for fall and winter sports and second semester grades for spring sports, and the school submits the nomination form verifying the grade point average on behalf of the athlete or team.
In the team division, a varsity team earns Scholar-Athlete recognition by attaining a 3.1 aggregate GPA for that designated semester. The school receives a certificate honoring the accomplishment and each member of the squad also receives a certificate.
The teams with the top GPA's in the state in their respective sports are recognized at the NCHSAA Annual Meeting in May and will receive a plaque from the North Carolina National Guard and NCHSAA.
About the North Carolina Army National Guard
The North Carolina National Guard’s roots date back to March 24, 1663, when colonial militias—made up of ordinary citizens—would put down their plows and pick up their weapons to protect families and towns from hostile attacks. Today, Citizen-Soldiers hold civilian jobs or attend college while training part time, staying ready to defend America in the event of an emergency
The North Carolina National Guard serves both state and federal governments. The difference between the Guard and other military branches is that while Guard units are combat-trained and can be deployed overseas, they are just as likely to serve in their home communities here in North Carolina—training just one weekend per month, and one two-week period each year. The incredible versatility of the National Guard enables its troops to respond to domestic emergencies, combat missions, counterdrug efforts, reconstruction missions and more—all with equal speed, strength and efficiency
Whether the call is coming from the state Governor or directly from the President of the United States, North Carolina Guard Soldiers are always ready and always there.
