A major league baseball great stopped in Little Rock to help honor dozens of outstanding high school athletes from around the state. Cal Ripken Jr., former shortstop and third baseman for the Baltimore Orioles, was the featured speaker at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's 2015-2016 All-Arkansas Preps Awards Banquet, held June 18 in the Wally Allen Ballroom of the Statehouse Convention Center.
Amanda Copley, marketing and event director for the Democrat-Gazette, welcomed attendees just before the parade -- complete with marching band and cheerleaders -- of All-Arkansas Preps athletes representing 10 sports.
After dinner, David Bazzel announced the 15 Outstanding Player of the Year winners, whose pictures were posted outside the ballroom. They had their photos taken with Ripken, as did the Male Athlete of the Year (junior Jarrod Barnes Jr., Cabot High School football); the Female Athlete of the Year (senior Starr Taylor, Jonesboro girls basketball); and the Outstanding Coach of the Year (Kirk Bock, Bryant High School baseball).
Other awards included the Hussman Community Award, which went to senior Jed Wilson of Rogers Heritage High School; the Positive Atmosphere Reaches Kids (PARK) Education Award, presented to senior Gia Hayes of eStem Public Charter School; and the CHI St. Vincent Health Award, which went to twins Morgan and Bailey McAlexander, juniors from Valley View High School in Jonesboro.
Ripken shared a few of the challenges and triumphs of his career before a sit-down interview conducted onstage by Keith Jackson, former National Football League tight end and founder of PARK.
High Profile on 06/26/2016