December 2011
Chelsi Oxendine of Red Springs High School
Red Spring, NC

RED SPRING — Red Springs High School’s Chelsi Oxendine sits on the bleachers, her right leg wrapped in gauze and elevated next to a pair of crutches.

It’s a tough spot for a senior co-captain to be in, yet Oxendine, who injured her knee last week, is smiling as she watches her girls basketball teammates run up and down the court. Despite being sidelined, the senior is very much part of practice — leading, motivating and helping her fellow Red Devils.

“We only have three seniors and I’m one of those who helps keep us together,” Oxendine said. “We’re just trying to get that bond and try to get all the underclassmen to know that it takes a bond in and out of school to get a good basketball team together.”

Oxendine does the same for Red Springs’ student body, serving as the class president.

Her unwavering leadership qualities and outstanding production as a student-athlete has earned Oxendine The Robesonian/Mountaire Farms Scholar Athlete of the Month for December. The program’s mission is to highlight male and female student-athletes within Robeson County who excel on the field, in the classroom and in their local community.

“Being the Scholar Athlete means that I work hard and play hard and stay focused,” said Oxendine, a three-sport athlete — basketball, volleyball and softball — who maintains a 4.359 weighted GPA. “My parents, they always said academics will get you somewhere … sports might.”

Chelsi Oxendine is the daughter of Teresa Oxendine and the late Alvin Scott Oxendine, who passed away last March. Chelsi accredited her parents for helping her become the student-athlete and person she is today.

Also playing key roles in her life are coaches and teachers like Red Springs girl’s basketball coach and math teacher Katasha Oxendine who has known Chelsi since she was in 7th grade.

“I have come to appreciate her many fine qualities as I’ve watched her grow as a player, leader and young lady,” Katasha said.

This past fall during volleyball season, Chelsi, a captain, was named to the Three Rivers Conference first team. In the spring, Chelsi will take to the diamond where she’ll lead the Red Springs softball team.

“Sports keep me active,” Chelsi said. “Keeps me out of trouble. That’s what sports are for — to keep you out of trouble. That’s why more kids should become involved.”

Additionally, Chelsi, who grew up on a farm where her late father raised horses, is involved with caring for animals. She wants to become and Veterinarian and hopes to attend North Carolina State University in Raleigh next fall.

Until then, Chelsi continues to lead her classmates and teammates at Red Springs.

“She is very dependable,” Katasha said. “I can depend on her to get practice started and get her teammates motivated to do what they need to do.”

Even when sidelined with a knee injury.

From the bench, undoubtedly cheering and instructing, Chelsi recently watched her teammates capture third place at the Robeson County Shootout on Saturday with a 49-38 win over Fairmont.

November 2011
Michael Bailey
Lumberton High School
Lumberton, NC

Michael Bailey’s philosophy for success is simple.

“Make every second you have count,” Bailey said.

The senior at Lumberton High School appears to be doing just that.

Bailey’s achievements as a student-athlete earned him The Robesonian/Mountaire Farms Scholar Athlete Award for the month of November. The program’s mission is to highlight male and female student-athletes within Robeson County who excel on the field, in the classroom and in their local community.

“It’s exciting. It’s nice to be recognized for working hard,” Bailey said of the honor.

Academically, Bailey, son of Joe and Laura Lynn, is currently ranked second in his senior class of 455 students with a 4.8056 GPA. He also has first- and second-place Science Olympiad honors to his name and is a National Honor Society student, among other accolades.

On top of that, Bailey is an Eagle Scout, a badge he earned when he was only 14 years old. The average age of boys earning the Eagle Scout rank is 17.

“It teaches you some good life skills,” Bailey said of the scouts. “It helped me mature. You have to show leadership qualities.”

Bailey recently helped lead Lumberton soccer team to a runner-up finish in the 4A Southeastern Conference — a vast improvement from last year’s fifth-place finish — and its first state playoff win since 2005 with a 2-0 victory over Cape Fear. The Pirates fell in the second round to East Lake to finish with an 11-12-2 overall record.

“Michael displays outstanding sportsmanship, leadership, work ethic, and is an outstanding role model on and off the field,” Lumberton soccer coach Kenny Simmons said.

Bailey was instrumental in the Pirates’ banner soccer season. As a captain defender, he finished the fall campaign with a career-high eight goals, garnering honors to the SEC All-Conference team and the North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association All-Region team.

Bailey said that one of his best memories this season was scoring the game-winning goal in the final moments against league rival Scotland for a 4-3 victory on Sept. 26.

“That proved to be the difference between us (and Scotland) getting third in the conference,” he said.

Additionally, Bailey, a three-sport athlete, is a reigning regional qualifier and captain of the swim team and a returning all-conference and co-MVP performer of the tennis team.

His studies, however, are his top priority.

“When you have the opportunity for free time, enjoy it, but you always have to remember school first,” Bailey said. He wants to attend North Carolina State University and major in chemical engineering next fall.

October 2011
Erin Kenworthy
Purnell Swett High School
Pembroke, NC

It’s not hard to pick out Purnell Swett High School’s Erin Kenworthy on the volleyball court.

She’s the one constantly talking, motivating her teammates. Cut to the classroom and she’s the one springing up her hand, asking questions.

A natural leader, Kenworthy has displayed exceptional performances as a student-athlete at Purnell Swett, earning her The Robesonian/Mountaire Farms Scholar Athlete Award for the month of October. The program’s mission is to highlight male and female student-athletes who excel on the field, in the classroom and in their local community.

“I try to motivate the girls,” the senior captain Kenworthy said. “I’m a loud person. I’m always talking. When I come on the court after a substitution the girls are like, ‘I’m so glad to see you back on the court’, because I like to talk the whole time — talking makes the game go a lot easier because everybody’s communicating.”

It’s showed.

This fall, the Swett senior helped lead the Rams to a second-place finish in the Southeastern Conference this fall. Kenworthy recored a team-high 74 kills to go along with 13 aces throughout the Rams’ 12-5 regular season and 7-3 runner-up showing in the SEC. Saturday, the Rams were defeated by Millbrook in the first round of the NCHSSA playoffs.

“She has always been a leader, hard worker, friendly, compassionate and eager to help others,” Swett coach Corey Deese said. Deese has been coaching Kenworthy since the seventh grade. There isn’t another coach Kenworthy would’ve rather have shape her as a volleyball player and a person.

“She’s like another mother to me. We’re really close, I can talk to her about anything,” Kenworthy said. She went on to accredit her success to her parents, George and Annette, and sister Lela, who graduated from Swett in 2010 and was a teammate of Erin’s for two years.

While making an impact on the court, Kenworthy maintains a 4.0 GPA, is a participant of the school’s BETA and HOSA clubs, regularly attends Rams football and basketball games, and is an active member of her church.

“It’s a lot. I like to participate in everything,” Kenworthy said, “especially this year being a senior. I have volleyball, plus school, plus scholarships, applications … “

On the college front, so far Kenworthy’s been accepted to Wingate University. She’s also looking at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, UNCP and Campbell.

Wherever she ends up, she already has goals in mind.

“I want to do physical therapy,” she said. “And I want to go for volleyball and try out for the team. Even if I don’t get a scholarship, I’m going to walk on.”

September 2011
Anderson Branch
Lumberton High School
Lumberton, NC

Three-sport athlete. Eagle Scout. Student teacher at Tanglewood Elemantary.

There isn’t much that Lumberton High School senior Anderson W. Branch doesn’t do.

Exceptional performances on the field, inside the classroom and everywhere in between earned Branch the The Robesonian/Mountaire Farms Scholar Athlete Award for the month of September.

“It’s a great honor for me to get it,” Branch said. “I was really surprised and excited when I got it. It was just a great feeling.”

This fall, Branch has helped the Lumberton soccer team grit to a 6-7-2 record with a 3-2 Southeastern Conference mark. Branch, son of David and Jo Anne Branch, is also on the Pirates swim team in the winter and tennis team in the spring. Last year, he was granted a Super Pirate Award as a three-sport varsity athlete at LHS.

“He’s an outstanding young man — he carries that well on and off the field,” Lumberton soccer coach Kenny Simmons said. “He works hard in practice. In his senior year we’ve seen some big improvements in his game.”

Inside the Lumberton High halls, Branch is carrying a 4.0 GPA — he’s in the top 10 percent of his class — and is a part of the school’s Beta Club, Science Olympiad team and National Honor Society, among others.

Additionally, Branch is part of the school’s Teacher Cadet program. The program allows students to teach classes at area elementary schools, such as Tanglewood Elementary, where Branch teaches twice a week.

“You just have to be really organized, and I’ve been able to do that and get better as the years have gone on,” Branch said, referring to juggling his athletic and scholastic activities. “Competition in school and on the field is important. It pushes you harder to try to be the best that you can and try to improve yourself.”

Academically, Branch is especially interested in history, thanks in large part to Lumberton High School history teacher Elaine Davis, who taught Branch in AP U.S. History last year.

“She was really helpful and it kind of set in stone in my mind that I wanted to do history after I had her class, because she made it so interesting and so much fun to learn,” Branch said.

“He really has an affinity for the subject,” Mrs. Davis said. “He understands the importance of keeping up with current events, not only locally but on a national level.

“He’s an excellent student. He’s internally motivated.”

Branch motivation is leaning towards majoring in history at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill next fall. He hasn’t landed on UNC as the final school-of-choice yet, but it’s at the top of his list.

“I accredit my parents for my academic success. They’ve really pushed me to keep up with the good grades,” Branch said. “And I accredit all the coaches that I’ve had over the years for the athletic success. I wouldn’t be able to get here without them telling me what’s right and pushing me.”

2010-2011 Robesonian/Mountaire Scholar Athlete(s) of the Year

LUMBERTON — One put achieving the scholar-athlete of the year award on her to do list, the other is pleased to receive the honor and hopes the next group can surpass his achievements.

And now Callie Davis and Dominique Ashe call themselves the first winners of the Robesonian/Mountaire Farms Scholar Athlete of the Year award.

Davis, a three-sport athlete at Lumberton, received the initial scholar athlete of the month honor in September, while South Robeson’s Ashe was tapped for his selection in October.

A good deal has occurred since Davis and Ashe garnered their honors.

Davis was picked to the all-Southeastern Conference soccer team as well as the all-region squad. As a cross country runner, Davis finished in the top five at the all-county meet all four years.

“It’s great to be picked to win this,” Davis said. “It’s great to represent my school and a great way to wrap up by high school sporting career.”

Ashe participated in football, basketball and ran track for the Mustangs this year. On the gridiron, Ashe was one of the county’s top linebackers and was named to the all-county team after totaling 114 tackles. In addition, he was tapped for the all-Three Rivers Conference squad.

“It’s a great accomplishment,” Ashe said. “It shows all my hard work didn’t go to waste. It really gives me a feeling of accomplishment.”

The pair have made their decisions on their educational futures. Davis will attend Meredith College in Raleigh and will run cross country for the Avenging Angels. Ashe was set to head to Buies Creek and play football at Campbell, but has since changed his mind. Now, Ashe will become a pioneer and will help UNC Charlotte begin its football program.

Both received the news they were going to the yearly winners before school year was completed. Davis shared her information with her parents, while Ashe told some of his fellow classmates to inspire them to hit the books like he did.

“My parents thought I was very deserving of the award,” Davis said. “They are very proud. It showed all of my hard work paid off. I wasn’t sure I was going to win it because there were a lot of great scholar-athletes that came after me.”

“I told everybody I was playing basketball with,” Ashe said. “They were proud because some of them are my closest friends. I hope that they work harder than I did. I would like the next winner to also come from South Robeson and have a 4.0 while playing multiple sports. I’ll like to see them go beyond what I did.”

Ashe and his family traveled to the awards banquet hosted by Mountaire Farms in Georgetown, Del. earlier this month, but Davis was unable to attend because of a prior commitment at her church that weekend.

Ashe was able to match his accomplishments with the monthly winners from the Maryland, Delaware and Virginia areas along the coast, also known as Delmarva. He was impressed he was he able to be grouped in with them.

“To be honest, I felt a little humble, but I felt good,” Ashe said. “It let me know I could hang with them, but I wish I worked harder than I did.”

Beginning in the fall, each month, the Robesonian/Mountaire Farms Scholar Athlete will receive an engraved, crystal trophy and recognizing him/her as the monthly honoree. Honorees will also be highlighted in Mountaire Farms quarterly newsletter.
 

2010-2011 Robesonian/Mountaire Scholar Athlete(s) of the Month

During the 2010-2011 schoolar year, The Robesonian and Mountaire Farms highlighted outstanding student athletes in the Lumberton, NC area with the Robesonian/Mountaire Scholar Athlete of the Month Award.  Each month, the Robesonian/Mountaire Farms Scholar Athlete will received an engraved crystal trophy recognizing him/her as the monthly honoree and all honorees were featured in the Robesonian Newspaper and online.

Each monthly Robesonian/Mountaire Farms Scholar Athlete was also eligible to receive one of two The Robesonian/Mountaire Farms $1,000 college scholarships, which were awarded to one male and one female athlete. Those winners were named the “Robesonian/Mountaire Farms Scholar Athletes of the Year.” 

Monthly Winners:
September - Callie Davis of Lumberton High School
October - Dominique Ashe of South Robeson High School
November - Damilia Brooks of Lumberton High School
December - Steven Kirby of Lumberton High School
January - Brianna Chavis of Purnell Swett High School
February - Andrew Fanning of Lumberton High School
March - Julia Dent of Lumberton High School
April - Payton Locklear of St. Pauls High School