NIAA to honor area’s top student-athletes

For years, athletes have fallen under the “dumb jock” stereotype.

Every year, however, there are plenty who disprove the myth and put meaning into the term student-athlete.

They’re the well-rounded individuals who, in addition to sports participation, show prowess in scholastic achievement and are heavily involved in school activities and in their community.

Each year they are honored by the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association, along with Lifetouch National School Studios and the Southern Nevada Toyota Dealers, as the Top 10 Student-Athletes of the Year.

The NIAA will honor the Southern Nevada Top 10 at a banquet at 6 p.m. Wednesday at The Orleans. The winners will receive a $500 scholarship and other commemorative awards.

Here are this year’s recipients:

Robert A’Hearn, Clark — A’Hearn is a seven-time varsity letter winner in football, wrestling and track and field. This season, he made the All-Sunset League first team in football and placed fourth in the Division I-A Southern Region wrestling tournament. A’Hearn also has participated in National Honor Society, student council and Key Club, and holds a 4.5 weighted GPA. He plans on pursuing a degree in environmental engineering in college.

Joshua Bishop, Virgin Valley — Bishop has won six varsity letters in football, basketball and track. He holds a 4.8 weighted GPA and is one of the school’s valedictorian candidates. Bishop has been involved with student council for four years and is the acting president of National Honor Society. He plans on pursuing a career as a chemical engineer after college.

Lexia Brockett, Las Vegas — Brockett has earned seven varsity letters in volleyball, flag football and softball. She is ranked No. 1 out of 743 students with a 4.8 weighted GPA and currently is the senior class president. Brockett, who was named a second-team All-Sunrise Region volleyball player this past season, has volunteered with the Clark County School District’s Special Olympics the last four years. She plans on getting a college degree that will lead her to either the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Central Intelligence Agency.

Thomas Felt, Centennial — Felt has earned six varsity letters in tennis and volleyball for the Bulldogs, while maintaining his status as one of the school’s top students. He ranks fifth in his class with a 4.76 weighted GPA and has served as the class treasurer in student council the past three years. Felt, who is an Eagle Scout, plans on serving a two-year church mission before continuing his education at Brigham Young.

Jordan Lukow, Las Vegas — A three-time varsity letter winner in tennis and volleyball, Lukow is a valedictorian candidate with a 4.8 weighted GPA. He is a four-year participant in National Honor Society and has served as a manager for the girls’ volleyball program. Lukow, who also tutors at the school, plans on serving a full-time mission for his church and pursuing a college degree in engineering.

Kai Mitchell, Virgin Valley — A standout football and track athlete, Mitchell has earned six varsity letters in his time with the Bulldogs. He was named to the Division I-A Sunrise Region second team in football this past season and will be looking to qualify for the state in the hurdles for the second consecutive season in track. Mitchell ranks atop his class with a 4.8 weighted GPA. He plans on serving a church mission before attending Brigham Young.

Logan Nielson, Palo Verde — Nielson has earned six varsity letters in volleyball and flag football with the Panthers. She was a two-time team captain in flag football and a recipient of the Panther award for outstanding sportsmanship this past season in volleyball. Nielson holds a 4.8 weighted GPA and is ranked No. 1 out of 691 students in her senior class. She plans on attending Brigham Young in the fall to major in exercise science.

Marlene Quirarte, Virgin Valley — Quirarte is a seven-time varsity letter winner in soccer and flag football. She was selected to the Division I-A Sunrise League first team this past season in soccer and twice was named a team captain. Quirarte, who currently serves as the student body vice president, has a 4.8 weighted GPA and is one of the school’s valedictorian candidates. She plans on attending UNR and majoring in pre-medicine.

Vanna Tangonan, Chaparral — Tangonan has earned five varsity letters in track, volleyball and basketball with the Cowboys. She has a 4.77 weighted GPA and sits atop her class of 489 students. She is a National Honor Society and Debate Club participant and has volunteered at several places around the community, including the animal shelter, Blind Center and Three Square Food Bank. She plans on attending Stanford in the fall to major in pre-law.

Nicole White, Legacy — White has earned eight varsity letters in cross country, flag football and track with the Longhorns. A quarterback on the flag football team, White was selected to the Division I All-Sunset League first team this past season. She has a 4.8 weighted GPA and is on track to become the school’s valedictorian. She also is an active member in National Honor Society, student council and guitar ensemble. She is looking to enroll in the honors college at UNR.