BY ALVIN THOMAS, GUEST WRITER TO THE TIMES
ORLANDO – In the heart of Orlando, inner city, social and economic issues have had an adverse effect on students and athletes in the community. On the other hand, there are schools, teachers, community leaders, and sports organizations that have done a fantastic job with student athletes.
At the great Alpha Learning Academy in Orlando, home of the “Spiritual Warriors.” The academy is under the leadership of Rev. Terence R. Gray I, Senior Pastor at Saint Mark AME Church located at 1968 Bruton Blvd., Orlando 32805 and Shakelia Henderson, Principal, student athletes are raising the bar achieving educational success in the classroom. Where the campus is centered in godly love, teachers set high expectations and create an achievable canvas for meeting goals.
In the development of student athletes, Alpha Learning Academy strives to cultivate an atmosphere that fosters a competitive edge, passion, creativity, critical thinking skills, collaboration, and interpersonal spiritual growth. Students are challenged academically, in areas that stimulates comprehension of knowledge, conceptual skills, problem solving and character development. The rigorous academic schedule offers students a diverse educational foundation. This will provide insight and opportunities that impact their future endeavors.
As scholars master these benchmarks, they become proficient in excelling above the state required minimum 2.0 grade point average to participate in sports. While, excelling at the highest levels in the classroom, scholars have taken these benchmarks and applied them on the football field. The passion for the game, relentless work ethic, and competitive spirit to compete at the highest level in youth football has granted seven (7) student athletes the opportunity to play in the Superbowl.
Alpha Learning Academy’s Superbowl Champions / Runner-Ups.
Organization: The City of Orlando Youth Football League Superbowl Champions.
- Aiden Harrell, 6th grade, 4.0 gpa, Grand Avenue Saints 12U.
- Amar’e Harrell, 2nd grade, 4.0 gpa, Grand Avenue Saints 8U.
Organization: Florida Elite Youth Football and Cheer Superbowl Champions.
- Juels Lee, Kindergarten, 4.0 gpa, West Orlando Jaguars 6U.
- Ja’ Varri Chenault, 3rd grade, 2.4 gpa, Orlando Outlaws 8U.
Organization: Florida Elite Youth Football and Cheer Superbowl D1 Runner-Ups.
- Willie Kitchens, 4th grade, 3.4 gpa, Orlando Outlaws 10U.
- Jordan Echols, 4th grade, 2.8 gpa. Orlando Outlaws 10U.
- Kourtney Thomas, 5th grade, 3.8 gpa, Orlando Outlaws 10U.
The perseverance, grit and grind and having a championship mentality are a huge part of the development of these athletes and scholars. The dedication and hard work exemplify great leadership, teamwork, and the willingness to always as Rev. Dr. Jaqueline Moore, Kindergarten Teacher & Devotion & Chapel Leader, says, “Go and be Great!” These attributes are successful in creating options for our youth to become successful in life. It starts at home, in our schools, and in our communities. In light of their innate potential, we cannot give up on our inner-city communities due to the social and economic issues facing our youth. Instead, we must realize that families, schools, teachers, community leaders, and organizations are the village creating champions. Richie Clermont, President of The Orlando Outlaws, says, “The village is necessary to plant seeds that offer nuggets of wisdom.” In an environment that cultivates a champion’s mindset where the student meets the athlete to achieve success in classroom, on the field and in life.
Alpha’s Instagram: @alphalearningacademyorl