ST. LOUIS, MO, May 3, 2012 – Eight-time Pro Bowler Aeneas Williams and World Series Champion Rick Horton shared words of inspiration and encouragement with more than 300 St. Louis Public School District student athletes at the District’s first annual Scholar Athlete Luncheon held at the Missouri Athletic Club on May 1.  The St. Louis Rams were the presenting sponsor of the inaugural event.  Joining Williams and Horton in saluting the student athletes were almost 40 St. Louis area sports personalities and successful business leaders who served as “table role models” for the scholar athletes. 

SLPS student athletes received scholar athlete designation by meeting the following criteria:  Each student had to earn a 3.25 grade point average or higher during the first semester of the 2011-12 school year; the student athlete had to successfully complete the athletic season; the student athlete had to promote the values of sportsmanship, citizenship, character and academic excellence.

Among the “table role models” on hand to network with the scholar athletes and share words of wisdom were St. Louis Post-Dispatch sports columnist Bryan Burwell, St. Louis American sports writer Earl Austin Jr., KMOX radio sportscaster Ron Jacober, ESPN 101 radio sportscaster Bob Ramsey, Post-Dispatch football writer Jim Thomas, and veteran NFL writer Howard Balzer.  St. Louis Rams “table role models” included cheerleader Jessica G. and Vice President of Corporate Communications/Civic Affairs Molly Higgins.

Several former St. Louis Public School District athletes were on hand to serve as “table role models” as well.  Taking time out to connect with the current student athletes were: Johnny Furr Jr. (Sumner), Tawana Hughes-Jackson (Vashon), Demetrious Johnson (McKinley), Michael Jones (Beaumont), Terry “Chip” Jones (Beaumont), Derrick C. Mitchell (Vashon), Bennie Moore (Sumner), Dr. Marvin Neals (Sumner), Kevin Potter (Soldan), Terrell Ramey (Roosevelt), Harry Rogers (Sumner), Reuben Shelton (Northwest), and Dennis Van Mathis (Sumner).