More Than Just a Cricket
2011 Shevonne Mentis Scholarship Winners
Four young men and one young woman, all 2011 college freshmen, were awarded stipends through Atlantis’ Shevonne Mentis Educational Scholarship Fund started in 2001 and following the tragic circumstances of September 11th of that year, at the World Trade Center in New York City.
Prashanth Nair smiles broadly while receiving a check for $1,000 from Atlantis 2011 Cricket Honoree Gus Logie, as Atlantis President Steve Welcome (Center) smiles approvingly.
The 2011 scholarship awardees were Prashanth Nair, Casper Davis, Jr., Clifford Hamilton, Neigelle Harper and Reece Gibbs. The two main recipients were Nair and Davis, 2011 Atlantis players. Each of the two players received $1,000 scholarship stipends. Hamilton, Harper and Gibbs are currently enrolled at New York Technical College, University of New Mexico, and Nassau County Community College, respectively.
Prashanth Nair, who was born in Ernakulam, Kerala, India and migrated to the USA in 2007, has been playing cricket since the age of nine. A graduate of It Takes A Village Academy (ITAVA) Tilden Campus High School in Brooklyn, NY, Nair is now enrolled at City College of NY (CUNY) and intends to major in mechanical engineering.
The 19 year-old all-rounder and captain of the Atlantis senior men’s team, represented the USA at the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup qualifier in Ireland in 2011 and describes himself as a cricketer with a “never give up attitude” who loves competition. He states that he is always seeking to learn something new, so that he may become a better cricketer.
As a college freshman Prashanth Nair says that during his first semester in college, he was still in a high school state of mind, but quickly perked up during his first college finals examinations, adding, “Now, I understand the flow of college and I am ready to work hard to reach my goal.”
Casper Davis, Jr. (left) receives his $1,000 check from Atlantis 2011 Cricket Honoree Gus Logie, while Atlantis President Steve Welcome (2nd from right) and Vice President Lester Hooper (partially hidden) look on approvingly.
Casper Davis, Jr., is an Atlantis opening bowler who enjoys batting and has demonstrated his prowess with the willow on a number of occasions, while representing Atlantis in the Eastern American Cricket Association.
Born in St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Casper migrated to the USA in 2008 and attended the Performing Arts and Technology High School in Brooklyn, NY from where he graduated with honors and was recognized as one of the City’s outstanding scholars by New York City Department of Education Chancellor, Dennis Walcott. Now a student at Bard College located in the picturesque area of Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. He plans on majoring in American History.
Casper labels himself as “…a hard-working cricketer, as well as a hard-working student.” If his determination and commitment to the sport of cricket is any indication, the young man has a very bright future ahead of him.
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The Shevonne Mentis Educational Scholarship Fund
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The Shevonne Mentis Educational Scholarship Fund was established by Atlantis Cricket Club - NY in 2002, following the tragic events of September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center in New York City, and in memory of the 25-year old daughter of Aubrey "Major" Mentis, a long-standing member of Atlantis Cricket Club - NY.
Ms. Mentis was an employee of Marsh USA, Inc. in the World Trade Center. At the time of her untimely death, the very ambitious 25 year-old was pursuing an academic degree in Business Management, at the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) of the City University of New York.
The fund provides tuition and/or book stipend awards to approved individuals pursuing academic degrees and/or certifications at accredited educational institutions. It is funded through pledges and the financial donations of Atlantis Cricket Club - NY members, supporters, part-proceeds from club activities and other fundraising activities.
Since the fund was established, some seventeen recipients have benefited from book stipend awards and have or are currently attending such American educational institutions as the Borough of Manhattan Community College, The University at Buffalo, The University of Maryland and Harvard University. Applications for the academic year must be submitted by June 30 of the said year in which the application is being made.
In addition, the fund has established an annual scholarship award in Ms. Mentis’ name at her alma mater Borough of Manhattan Community College, for students majoring in Business Management.
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