CONTACT:
Felix Hernandez, 626-765-7776
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2022
LOCAL DISTRICT WEST SCORES TWO TOUCHDOWNS WITH L.A. RAMS
Alexander Hamilton High School and Washington Preparatory High School Football Programs Receive $2,500 Grants for Academic Performance
The 2022 Superbowl-bound Los Angeles Rams generously awarded $2,500 academic grants to the football programs at Alexander Hamilton High School (Hamilton High) and Washington Preparatory High School (Washington Prep), both schools in Local District West. These schools were winners of the 5th Annual L.A. Rams Academic Challenge.
Hamilton High Yankees won the overall competition for the highest grade-point-average (GPA) achieving a 3.10 team GPA. While across town, Washington Prep Generals won the most improved GPA, increasing their GPA by 0.48 points to achieve a 2.85 team GPA. Both schools will receive a $2,500 grant for each of their football programs.
This was an academic challenge of 12 L.A.U.S.D. football teams competing against each other on a different type of playing field: in the classroom. The 2021 high schools were: Contreras, Crenshaw, Dorsey, East Valley, Franklin, Hamilton, Marshall, Mendez, Narbonne, Poly, Santee, Sylmar, and Washington. Overall, the 12 participating schools went up in GPA from 2.74 to 2.89, an overall increase of 0.15 points.
“Football is the ultimate team sport. The Academic Challenge provides players the opportunity to work together and achieve success collectively on the field and in the classroom. Through the vehicle of football, we can emphasize the importance of education, and inspire students across the district to always give their best,” said Johnathan Franklin, Los Angeles Unified Alumni, and Director of Social Justice and Football Development for the Los Angeles Rams.
“I am proud of the scholar-athletes at Hamilton and Washington Prep High Schools for their performance in the classroom and on the field. The students are to be commended for their ability to balance their school and athletic schedules,” said Los Angeles Unified District 1 Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna.
“Congratulations to our amazing Alexander Hamilton Senior High School and George Washington Preparatory Senior High School scholars for winning the Rams Academic Challenge with the highest overall GPA and the most improved GPA,” said Los Angeles Unified Interim Superintendent Megan K. Reilly. “Thank you to the Los Angeles Rams for recognizing our student athletes who work so hard both on the field and in the classroom.”
This is what we strive for day in and day out at Local District West: Success on and off the field for all scholar athletes,” said Local District West Superintendent Dr. Adaina Brown.
“Congratulations to the Hamilton High School and Washington Prep football teams for demonstrating their academic prowess this season by winning the Los Angeles Rams Academic Challenge. In partnership with USA Football, both high schools will receive $2,500 towards their football program,” said Noel Grigsby, Los Angeles Unified Alumni, and Community Affairs and Engagement Representative for the Los Angeles Rams.
“I played four sports in high school and three in college, so I understand the discipline, sacrifice, and tenacity needed to excel at both,” added Board Member Dr. McKenna.
“Thank you, L.A. Rams, for creating space for our student athlete to be recognized for their efforts inside the classroom and on the field. It really validates that sports matter, and that hard work never goes unnoticed,” added Dr. Brown.
A formal award-assembly between the L.A. Rams and the two Local District West Schools will take place sometime in March 2022. Congratulations to all.
Five years ago, the L.A. Rams Academic Challenge was born out of a partnership between Los Angeles Unified Interscholastic Athletic Coordinator Mr. Trenton Cornelius and Interscholastic Athletic Specialist Mr. David Siedelman, to promote that all Los Angeles Unified athletes are students first, and athletes second.