Spectrum Bay News 9 is proud to honor our January Scholar Athlete for the 2019-2020 school year, Jackie Laihinen from Academy at the Lakes in Pasco County.

• Jackie Laihinen received $1,000 scholarship for school of her choice

• For more about our Scholar Athlete Program, including rules and submission form, click here

Jackie recently received a certificate from Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore.  She'll receive a $1,000 scholarship for the school of her choice at the end of the this school year. 

"I am honored to help recognize Jackie Laihinen as the Spectrum Scholar-Athlete of the Month," Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore said. "Not only is she an outstanding basketball player, she is an excellent student and member of our community.  I appreciate Coach Haslam and Academy at the Lakes for what they do to teach our young people every day."

Jackie plays basketball and softball in addition to: 

• Member of the National Honor Society

• Mu Alpha Theta

• Key Club

Coach Tom Haslam says, "Jackie is an outstanding basketball player, student and person. On the court she averages 17.9 PPG and 7 RPG.  In the classroom she carries a 3.86 cummulative GPA.  Jackie is one of the nicest, most pleasant kids I’ve ever coached."

SCHOLAR ATHLETE

The 2019 – 2020 Spectrum News Florida Scholar Athlete Program provides coaches, teachers, administrators and school counselors in public and private schools in Orlando and Tampa the opportunity to nominate a high school senior who otherwise meets the eligibility criteria to be named as a Spectrum News Scholar Athlete.

Nominees are a) high school senior at public or private high schools in the Markets; b) involved in varsity athletics; c) have an excellent academic record; and d) be involved in extra-curricular activities (e.g. band, newspaper/yearbook, etc.) and/or be active in their local community either through their school or volunteering on their own time.

This school year, each school district will select their nominee, then that student will be profiled on Spectrum Bay News 9, and be presented the $1,000 scholarship by a local/state lawmaker.