Honored student-athletes balanced busy schedules

Spencer Patterson

Monday, May 21, 2001 | 10:26 a.m.

For most high school students, finding a balance between schoolwork and sports can be difficult, but this year's NIAA/Las Vegas Sun Student-Athletes aren't complaining.

In fact, besides their studies and athletic pursuits, this year's 10 honorees also found time to shine away from the classroom and off the field, be it in student government, community service or any number of other extra-curricular activities, hobbies or jobs.

Despite all their time commitments, they excelled in their endeavors, maintained top grades, had an impact on their teams and made their presence felt in the community.

Tonight, the Las Vegas Sun and the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association will honor the 10 award winners with a banquet at Sam's Town hotel-casino. Each scholar-athlete will receive a $500 U.S. savings bond, an engraved pen and pencil set and a certificate noting their achievement.

The 2000-2001 student-athletes of the year:

Vanesha Bailey

One of the dominant soccer players in area history, the Cimarron-Memorial standout earned four letters in the sport and four more in track during her prep career. Southern Nevada's leading scorer the past two years, Bailey helped her club to the Clark County championship as a junior. She will attend the University of Arizona on a soccer scholarship next year.

With a 3.45 unweighted grade-point-average, Bailey ranks in the top 20 percent of her graduating class. She is active in community service, working with both Opportunity Village and Habitat for Humanity, and plans to major in physiological sciences in college and pursue a career in medicine.

In her application essay, Bailey wrote: "Playing on the field with my peers keeps me busy and helps me to focus on other positive issues. More importantly, playing high school soccer has helped me become a more disciplined person."

Vance Bohman

An all-conference football performer, Bohman starred on both sides of the ball for Silverado during his two varsity seasons, helping the squad make consecutive trips to the Sunrise Region playoffs. A three-year letter-winner in wrestling, he finished his career on the mat with the 275-pound 4A state crown last winter.

Ranked 31st in his class with a 3.83 GPA, Bohman has been active in scouting and in his church throughout high school. He also volunteers his time to the community, working to provide help for Romanian orphans and for an elderly woman with Alzheimer's. Bohman will attend BYU next year, where he intends to study political science or medicine.

"Because of my athletic competition, I am able to focus despite distractions or pressure, and to perform under stress," Bohman wrote. "I am also a much more mentally tough person, and am able to continue to work and strive regardless of pain or seeming impossibility."

Dominique Bosa-Edwards

One of the greatest athletes in Class 2A history, this standout from The Meadows finished her high school career with eight letters in track, tennis and basketball. Best known for her exploits on the track, Bosa-Edwards leaves with 11 state event titles, including four last weekend in the 100 meters, long jump, triple jump and 300 meter hurdles.

An honor student with a 3.66 GPA, Bosa-Edwards plans to attend college and major in international business and advertising. She served as editor for her school's yearbook and is active in community service, volunteering time at Sunrise Hospital, MASH Village homeless shelter and two area libraries.

In her essay, Bosa-Edwards wrote: "Whether it was the mental preparation needed to dig myself out of an opponents' match point, the quickness to look up the court to see if any teammates are open to create an assist or the physical endurance repeatedly practiced for the final state meet event, all have allowed me to broaden my horizons."

Ryan Bundra

A standout at second-year Centennial, Bundra anchored the Bulldogs' football team as an all-conference guard and all-division linebacker and earned two letters in wrestling. Last winter, he placed fifth at 171 pounds at the 4A state meet.

Ranked first among Centennial's 415-student senior class, Bundra sports a perfect 4.0 unweighted GPA, and scored 1430 on his SAT and 32 on his ACT. Among other activities, he served as sports and student life editor for his school newspaper, worked as a DARE role model and volunteered time to local soup kitchens and nursing homes. He plans to attend college and major in broadcast journalism.

"Sports have allowed me to wisely budget my time, while I simultaneously fulfill my athletic dreams," Bundra said. "I have attained a greater level of physical and mental discipline. As a result, sports have not only strengthened my character, but also my academic prowess and leadership abilities."

Jacob Hicks

The starting setter for Western's 2001 Sunset Region champion boys volleyball team, Hicks closes out his prep career with six varsity letters, three in volleyball and three more in tennis. He served as the Warrior volleyball team's captain and played on the school's top doubles team on the tennis court.

The valedictorian in a class of 257, Hicks will graduate with a perfect 4.00 GPA. Among a plethora of extra-curricular activities, he served as student body president, worked on both the school newspaper and yearbook and provided school spirit at Western sporting events as the team's Warrior mascot. He will attend BYU next year before going on a two-year Mormon mission.

Hicks wrote: "I have gained more from my experience as the setter and captain of our varsity volleyball team the last two years than I ever would have at home on a spring afternoon. Without the lessons gained there on the court, I would lack the vital characteristics that I now strive to exemplify."

Marisa Marconi

The captain of Basic's girls basketball and softball teams, Marconi helped the Wolves earn appearances in the Sunrise regional playoffs in both sports. A first-team all-Sunrise selection in softball, she leaves Basic with six varsity letters.

Ranked third in her class of 339, Marconi also served as editor in chief of her school yearbook. She put in time with community service organizations like Habitat for Humanity and S.A.F.E House, and works as are creation assistant for the City of Henderson Parks and Recreation Department. She will attend Columbia University next year and play for the school's softball team..

"Through the years of striking out and hitting homers, winning the big game and blowing it and making the teams and being cut, I learned to believe in myself, to dream and, most of all, to always look for the silver lining of every cloud," Marconi wrote.

Jack Morgan

Like Bosa-Edwards, Morgan has been a dominant athlete for Class 2A's The Meadows, earning 10 varsity letters in four sports: track, soccer, basketball and tennis. This past weekend, he upped his championship total on the track to seven with individual wins in the 800 and 1,600 meters at the state meet. He also received all-state recognition in both soccer and basketball.

A student with a 3.95 GPA, Morgan scored a mighty 1500 on the SAT and has already been selected for his school's academic achievement award in seven different subjects. Active in drama, band and forensics, he also volunteers time to the American Cancer Society. Morgan plans to study history or international relations in college.

In his essay, Morgan wrote: "Athletics have taught me to strive for my best, that practice and competition are synonymous, and that desire and work can make reality out of dreams.

Kristen Sagers

A senior leader for second-year Centennial, Sagers earned two varsity letters in volleyball and two more in track, and participated in soccer as well. She received all-conference and team MVP honors in volleyball, helping the Bulldogs reach the 4A state tournament in 2000.

Sagers, a 4.0 student, ranks with Bundra atop the Centennial senior class. Heavily involved in student government, her church and community service, she scored 28 on the ACT and plans to attend BYU, where she will major in secondary education. Sagers also hopes to coach volleyball in the future.

"With the excitement of high school sports, I have gained personal attributes, like motivation and the spirit of competition, that drive me to set goals, to work hard and the importance of a positive attitude," Sagers wrote.

James Sims

A heralded two-sport athlete, Sims finishes his Valley career with seven varsity letters, four in track and three in football. Named to the Sun's all-state football team after starring as a defensive back and running back, Sims also earned two state track titles (2000 triple jump, 2001 long jump).

Valley's student body president, Sims maintained a 3.6 GPA, ranking 28th in a class of 531. He also volunteered time to Make a Wish and March of Dimes, as well as a local homeless shelter and an area adopt-a-highway program. Sims will attend Washington next year, where he will run track and play football and study to become a corporate attorney.

"Participating in athletics at Valley High School has meant a great deal in my life," Sims wrote in his essay. "When I started high school, I began playing football to have fun. Because of my hard work and help from many close adults and friends, I will be attending the University of Washington on a full-ride football scholarship."

Erika Twesme

A mainstay in Green Valley athletics for the past four years, Twesme closes out her prep career with 10 varsity letters: four in softball, three in basketball and three in volleyball. The Sunrise Region's 2001 volleyball MVP, she helped all three of her squads go deep into the postseason, playing in six different 4A state tournaments over the years.

Ranked among the top seven percent of her 728-member senior class, Twesme boasts a 3.86 GPA. Treasurer of the National Charity League, she is also an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and donates time to several community service organizations. She plans to study business or communications in college, and hopes to participate in collegiate athletics.

Twesme wrote: "My participation in athletics has helped me become a successful individual, a team player in society and a well-rounded person. Athletics instilled in me a strong work ethic, responsibility, dedication and leadership, which are valuable traits in the game of life."

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