CHAPEL HILL—Some 32 student-athletes from North Carolina High School Athletic Association member schools have been recognized for their outstanding sportsmanship as winners of “Heart of a Champion” recognition.

The sportsmanship recognition is part of the program offered by the NCHSAA Student Services Division and is sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline. Mark Dreibelbis, NCHSAA assistant executive director, and student services assistant Chiquana Dancy administer the program.

Each of the NCHSAA member schools had the opportunity to nominate one male and one female student-athlete for the recognition. The students must have participated in at least one varsity sport, including cheerleading, during the 2006-07 school year, have not been ejected from any contest, and must have demonstrated outstanding citizenship and sportsmanship during their high school careers. The students filled out an application questionnaire and then a school official, such as the principal or athletic director, also provided an evaluation.

The students will be honored at a luncheon on Saturday, June 9, at the Radisson Governors’ Inn in the Research Triangle Park.

GlaxoSmithKline Heart of a Champion 2007 Honorees:

Casey Abbott Millbrook High School, Raleigh

Magen Abernathy South Stanly High School

Tyler Aiken Clyde Erwin High School, Asheville

Brittany Ballard West Iredell High School

Perry Beasley, Jr Columbia High School

Carly Buch Sanderson High School, Raleigh

Kyle Cassidy Western Harnett High School

Lindsey Everett Pamlico High School

Michael Fox North Edgecombe High School

Meredith Honeycutt West Stanly High School

Payden Houser West Lincoln High School

Wil Huneycutt West Stanly High School

Garrett Ingram Myers Park High School, Charlotte

Graham Jones West Montgomery High School

Tripp Lancaster East Bladen High School

Gabriel Martin Asheville High School

Taylor Megginson David Butler High School, Matthews

Cameron Mellon David Butler High School, Matthews

James Moye Pamlico High School

Samuel Pride North Edgecombe High School

Katie Ray Cedar Ridge High, Hillsborough

Brandon Raynor South Johnston High School

Robin Reeves North Wilkes High School

Jonathan Remein Sanderson High School, Raleigh

John Santos Millbrook High School, Raleigh

Leigh Ann Shaver East Rowan High School

Celeste Sherer Asheville High School

Clayton Sidden North Wilkes High School

Kenda Spencer Columbia High School

Nikki Tatham Clyde Erwin High School, Asheville

April Vang West Montgomery High School

Jennifer Wilde Myers Park High School, Charlotte