First Rise Up Sports Media Awards shines light on KY female high school athletes
A brand new, female-led platform has spawned out of central Kentucky with the intent to bring deserved attention to the many talented and kind-hearted female high school athletes spread across the state. And what better time to shine that light than during the 2022 Girls Basketball Sweet Sixteen Tournament?
On Wednesday afternoon, the first-annual Rise Up Sports Media Awards took place in Lexington, KY where several of the state’s high school females were honored for their on- and off-court contributions. Speakers in attendance were two members from the Kentucky Women’s Basketball 1982 SEC champions, Valerie Still and Lea Wise Prewitt, along with Lexington mayor Linda Gorton. Five different awards were handed out before Mayor Gorton made a special declaration for a trio of award nominees.
Founder Tonia Witt, who is from central Kentucky and played high school sports, began this project in 2021 to help female athletes empower each other. Her platform features female athletes of all ages across all sports from all over the state, including Kentucky WBB All-American Rhyne Howard and incoming freshman guard Cassidy Rowe as “ambassadors”, among many others.
“Rise Up Sports Media was developed to give female athletes a space and a platform of their own, and to give them encouragement and exposure,” Witt said.
Among the awards distributed were The Valerie Still – STILL I RISE Award, The Cassidy Rowe Courage Award, The Lea Prewitt Humanitarian Award, The Rise Up Sports Media Merit Award, and The Rise Up Player of the Year Award.
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Additionally, Mayor Gorton declared that March 9, 2022, would forever be remembered after three of the nominees from the western Kentucky area, who were selfless with their efforts in helping the victims of the devastating December tornados despite facing hardships of their own. Those recognized were Anna Whitaker (Graves County), Khloe Lamb (Hopkins County), and Abigail Garrett (Dawson Springs), who all shared The Valerie Still – STILL I RISE Award.
Lamb’s home was destroyed during the tornados, but that didn’t prevent her from participating in a dance competition just 18 hours later. Her perseverance is what Witt is out to recognize at a more consistent and higher level.
Rise Up Sports Media Award winners
The Cassidy Rowe Courage Award winner: Kiera Couch (Letcher County Central)
The Lea Prewitt Humanitarian Award winner: Kylie Keoninger (Campbell County)
The Rise Up Sports Media Merit Award winner: Ivan K. Rice (journalist)
The Rise Up Player of the Year Award winner: Timberlynn Yeast (Mercer County)
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