From Minority Students To Olympic Leaders

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. - The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) has announced that 29 minority student leaders from colleges and universities across the country have been selected to attend the USOC's Finding Leaders Among Minorities Everywhere (F.L.A.M.E.) program presented by Tyson Foods, Inc.  The F.L.A.M.E. program will be held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (OTC) in Colorado Springs, Colo., July 24-27, 2010.

Celebrating its 17th anniversary, F.L.A.M.E. has provided students an in-depth look at the Olympic Movement and personal exploration of the Olympic ideals of persistence, commitment, vision, focus and determination. With the support of official presenting sponsor, Tyson Foods, Inc.,F.L.A.M.E. focuses on mentoring students so that they can apply Olympic-oriented principles to all aspects of their lives. The program also offers a pathway for talented young people to become further involved in the Olympic Movement either through the USOC's college internship program or other career and volunteer opportunities.

"F.L.A.M.E. is a key outreach program for the USOC," said Scott Blackmun, USOC Chief Executive Officer. "Through F.L.A.M.E., we are able to communicate the Olympic Spirit on a personal level with the bright minds participating in the program. Like previous F.L.A.M.E. alumni, this year's participants will go on to become elite athletes, Olympic family employees and leaders in their communities and professions."

Participants in this year's program represent 19 colleges and universities and hail from 15 states across the nation. While at the OTC, F.L.A.M.E. participants will live among athletes-in-training, residing in the dormitories and eating alongside U.S. Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls. The program itinerary includes presentations by USOC staff members and one-on-one discussions with motivational speakers such as legendary five-time Olympian Teresa Edwards (basketball, 1984, '88, '92, '96, 2000), four-time Olympian Cindy Stinger (team handball, 1984, '88, '92), two-time Olympian Derek Parra (speedskating, 1998, 2002), two-time Paralympian Ralph Green (alpine skiing, 2006, '10) and USOC CEO Scott Blackmun.

Additional activities include sport demonstrations conducted by USOC resident athletes and Olympians, such as fencers Jason Pryer and Ivan Lee (2004), a hike through the famous Garden of the Gods, a scavenger hunt on the grounds of the OTC, and a banquet at the El Pomar Foundation's Penrose House.

F.L.A.M.E. CLASS OF 2010 

Name                                       University/College                                Hometown            
Krizia Apelar                              California State University - Fullerton      Lakewood, Calif.
Becca Arriaga                           Rice University                                      Houston, Texas
Kiara Barnes                             Barry University                                     Mabelton, Ga.
Victoria Chatman                       Western Michigan University                  Taylor, Mich.
Tricia Dye                                 University of Central Oklahoma              Sentinel, Okla.
Stephen Green                          Elizabeth City State University                Virginia Beach, Va.
Cory Harbor                              Missouri  State University                       Springfield, Mo.
Ebony Harris                             Barry University                                     Laurel, Md.
Marcos Hinojosa                       Santa Clara University                            San Jose, Calif.
Nixon "Andrew" Jimenez             Temple University                                  Harrisburg, Pa.
Joseph Kim                              Temple University                                  Rockville, Md.
Raven King                               North Carolina Central University            Garner, N.C.
Kirstyne Lange                          Mills College                                         Oakland, Calif.
Nhu-Nguyen Le                          Santa Clara University                            Mission Viejo, Calif.
Donte Ledbetter                        Temple University                                  Astoria, N.Y.
Rembo Li                                  Barry University                                     Miami Beach, Fla.
Calah  Lynes                              University of Central Oklahoma              Edmond, Okla.
Angelica Mealing                       University of Central Florida                   Augusta, Ga.
Mike Mendolia                           California University of Pennsylvania      Hummelstown, Pa.
Vincent Pierson                         Virginia State University                         Roanoke, Va.
Thurman Robinson                    Virginia State University                         Petersburg, Va.
Kamali Thompson                     Temple University                                  Teaneck, N.J.
Mya Thompson                         Harvard University                                 Ithaca, N.Y.
Bianca Warren                           Virginia State University                         Union City, Ga.
Willie Watson                            University of Alabama                           Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Ashlea Williams                         University of Arkansas                           Fayetteville, Ark.
Jasmine Wilson                         Alabama State University                       Austell, Ga.
Darrion Woodard                       Temple University                                  Baltimore, Md.
Richard Zhu                              Santa Clara University                            Santa Clara, Calif.