Ghana international Ahotor Yayira Zigi, sibling of Black Stars shot-stopper Lawrence Ati-Zigi, has been honoured for her outstanding performance academically
Ahotor Zigi of Pearl River women’s soccer’s Zigi Ahortor alongside Ronald Baker (Prentiss; Jefferson Davis) were named the 2020 recipients of the David M. Halbrook Certificate for Academic Achievement among Athletes.
The award recognizes the efforts of individual student athletes who excel in academics, leadership and service.
Each college or university in Mississippi annually select a men’s and women’s honoree. The schools with the highest graduation rates are also honored with the David M. Halbrook Trophy; Itawamba and Northwest tied for the honor in the community college division.
“Ronald and Zigi not only left their mark on the field as student athletes for their respective sports, but they exemplified everything you look for in a Wildcat uniform,” Pearl River Athletics Director Scotty Fletcher said.
“During their time here they were true ambassadors for the college, their programs and the community.
“We congratulate both of them and are certain they will continue having future success in their future endeavors.”
The Halbrook Award for Academic Achievement Among Athletes was established in 1984 as a result of the passage of House Concurrent Resolution No. 88.
The awards program is made possible through endowments from former Representative David M. Halbrook of Belzoni and his brothers, John C. and James G. Halbrook of Belzoni and J. A. Halbrook of Beaumont, Texas, in honor of their parents, John C. and Ernestine McCall Halbrook.
The award is typically handed out during the Mississippi Association of Colleges and Universities Conference but was held virtually this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
PRCC’s recipients last year were men’s soccer’s Andrew Elkins (Bay St. Louis; St. Stanislaus) and softball’s Rylee Swilley (Kiln; Hancock)
Ahortor was a mainstay on Pearl River’s Dean’s List during her career at Pearl River.
The Ghanaian also earned a spot on the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference’s distinguished All-Academic Team in June.
In Ghana she played for Rock Ladies, Nimobi Ladies and a bevy of Accra based female football clubs.
