St. John's University Athletics
Softball Sophomore Named Coca-Cola Community All-American Nominee
2/8/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 8, 2006
QUEENS, N.Y. - Bionka King (Grand Terrace, Calif.) has made community service at St. John's a top priority. A member of the women's softball team, King not only participates in volunteer projects with her teammates, but extends herself well past those events required of her. Because of her dedication to service, King was chosen by athletic department administrators, including campus minister to athletics Paula Migliore, to represent St. John's in a nationwide contest.
The Coca-Cola Community All-American program is designed to help colleges and universities recognize, celebrate and applaud student-athletes who are making a difference in their communities. The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) panel evaluates nominated student-athletes based on the following: their impact of volunteer efforts, level of involvement and number of community service hours/activities.
"Bionka takes a natural leadership role in many of the volunteer opportunites," Migliore said. "Her beaming smile and energetic personality makes for a relaxing environment for the other volunteers and most importantly for those she serves."
Since her first year at St. John's, King has been actively involved in community service. She participated in walks for Breast Cancer Awareness, as well as raised money for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. She has volunteered time at Momma's House, a charitable organization designed to help young mothers and their babies. At Momma's House, King spent an afternoon painting, cleaning and preparing a home for a new family's arrival. During Halloween, she visited St. Mary's Children's Hospital, dressed up in a costume and spent one-on-one time with a group of more than 20 kids. King also spearheaded a Make-a-Wish fundraiser at a home men's soccer game, which raised close to $500.
This year, as a sophomore, King volunteered at a local men's shelter with her teammates to share dinner and conversation with the clients. She also attended a Fall Ball at a local senior citizen center, which provides a prom-like environment for the senior citizens. In November, King assisted in organizing a trip to Ozanam Nursing Home for a night of bingo with the residents. Because of her involvement, King was selected as the student speaker at the Athletic Department's annual Turkey Dinner around Thanksgiving.
King is a health care administration major and aspires to be a pediatric nurse. On the softball diamond, she is a versatile player, playing second base and the outfield. As a freshman, King appeared in 27 games, starting in nine. Off the field, she is the softball team's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative and is an active member of V.I.T.A.L.
Seven All-Americans will be selected from NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, along with NAIA and Junior/Community College member institutions. The finalist will be notified in April and honored at the NACDA's convention in June. The Coca-Cola Company will make a $5,000 donation in the finalist name to the community/philanthropic cause of their choice.
In addition to King, St. John's also recognized Julianna Cohen and Holly Ryder of women's soccer, and Lisa Geer and Danielle Estrada of women's softball on the university level for their dedication to service within the community.
- Red Storm -
