EPISD Athletic Director, student athletes honored by UTEP and City of El Paso
(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT -- Feb. 10, 2020) — Three EPISD girl student ahtletes in the EPISD Athletic Director were recognized by the University of Texas at El Paso and the City of El Paso for their contributions to sports in El Paso and their prowess on the court.
Maria Kennedy, EPISD’s athletic director, received the 2020 Circle of Excellence Award from the city’s Park and Recreation Department and UTEP. The award recognizes individuals who have gone above and beyond in promoting sports among girls and women.
Additionally, three EPISD students received the Flo Hyman Award recognizing the most outstanding female student athletes in El Paso at different competition levels. Winning the award from EPISD were:
- Kira Nakajima from Zach White Elementary;
- Maddie Jane Pelfrey from Morehead Middle; and
- Mackenzie Tovar from El Paso High.
The prestigious award recognizes female athletes who have made sports an important part of their success in life. The award is dedicated to Flo Hyman, an Olympic volleyball player who9 took an active role in promoting opportunities for women athletes.
Kennedy, Nakajima, Pelfrey and Tovar were recognized this weekend during a UTEP Women’s Basketball game at the Don Haskins Center, as well as a special ceremony before the game at the Durham Center in the Sun Bowl.
“This is great recognition not just for the girls and for myself, but for all the female athletes who compete day in and day out representing our schools and District,” Kennedy said.
The awards were given in conjunction with other celebrations of the annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day.