The United States Olympic Committee today announced the 27 student leaders from colleges and universities across the country who were selected to participate in the 24th annual FLAME (Finding Leaders Among Minorities Everywhere) Program. The 2017 program will be held July 25-Aug. 1 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
FLAME is designed to inspire undergraduate and graduate students of color to pursue careers within the Olympic and Paralympic movements. Selected participants have demonstrated a pursuit of excellence within their own communities and will have the opportunity to further their personal and professional growth by connecting with U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes, USOC and National Governing Body leaders, and others who have achieved success in the sports industry.
The program provides students with an in-depth look at the Olympic and Paralympic movements, and personal exploration of the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect. The program also offers a pathway for talented youth to become further involved in the Olympic and Paralympic movements, either through the USOC’s internship program, or other sports-related career and volunteer opportunities.
Participants in this year’s program represent 16 states from across the nation. During the eight-day program, FLAME participants will reside at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center and spend time with U.S. Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls. The program will include professional development workshops, leadership seminars and networking sessions.
The 2017 speaker program is highlighted by several U.S. Olympians and Paralympians, including Olympic medalists Tommie Smith (track and field, 1968) and John Carlos (track and field, 1968); two-time Olympian Chris Coleman (bobsled, 1992, 1994); Rio 2016 Paralympic Games bronze medalist Amanda Dennis (goalball, 2012, 2016); and Paralympians John Register (track and field, 1996), Letticia Martinez (swimming, 2012, 2016) and Jermell Pennie (wheelchair basketball, 2004).
Additional speakers include Ashland Johnson, director of public education and research at The Human Rights Campaign; Erin Pellegrino, vice president of events and programming for the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality; and several leaders from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic family.
The program will also feature Jason Collins, former NBA player (2001-14) and NBA Cares global ambassador as the USOC’s FLAME Invited Speaker, supported by Drs. Tej and Simran Singh.
Additional activities will include Paralympic sport demonstrations, a golf workshop organized by the PGA of America and an outing to a Colorado Springs Switchbacks game.
FLAME Class of 2017
Name
College/University
Hometown
Jessica Barquero
University of South Florida
Miami, Florida
Andres Brito
University of Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Pelemarie Buika
Prairie View A&M University
Wailuku, Hawaii
Allyson Burr
Washburn University
Arkansas City, Kansas
Phillip Butler Jr.
University of Central Florida
Coffeyville, Kansas
Vanessa Chandler
Temple University
Norristown, Pennsylvania
Jonathan Chaves
Florida Atlantic University
Houston, Texas
Patricia Chen
Colorado College
Natick, Massachusetts
Isaiah Covington
Long Island University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Gabriella Galassini
University of Wisconsin-Madison
LaGrange, Illinois
Jasmine Holmes-Settles
Hampton University
Oxon Hill, Maryland
Sherrelle Jordan
Nova Southeastern University
Chandler, Arizona
Jennifer Lamothe
University of Central Florida
Cupertino, California
Craig Malveaux
University of Central Florida
New Orleans, Louisiana
Candace Martin
Alabama State University
Memphis, Tennessee
Jade McCrary
Florida A&M University
South Daytona Beach, Florida
Raquel Miranda
University of St. Andrews
Haines City, Florida
Steven Morris
University of Virginia-School of Law
Atlanta, Georgia
Destiny Morton
University of Houston
Huntsville, Alabama
Aboshioma Obemeata
Springfield College
New Rochelle, New York
Destini Orr
University of Central Florida
Petersburg, Virginia
Steven Payne
St. Thomas University
Miami, Florida
Meneftha Pierre
Towson University
West Palm Beach, Florida
Gabriel Quintero
Syracuse University
Los Angeles, California
Miranda Rivera
Wellsley College
East Meadow, New York
Adam Saunders
Trinity University
Pearland, Texas
Gabriella Scott
University of Colorado Boulder
San Diego, California
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