Hastings Lauds Lauderdale Lakes Middle School Vikings on 2014-2015 Broward County Middle School Athletic Association Basketball Championship Win

Hastings Lauds Lauderdale Lakes Middle School Vikings on 2014-2015 Broward County Middle School Athletic Association Basketball Championship Win

From Lale Morrison

      Washington, D.C. — Recently, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) congratulated the Lauderdale Lakes Middle School Vikings on winning the 2014-15 Broward County Middle School Athletic Association basketball championship. The team, which finished the season with a perfect  14-0 record, is sponsored by Helping Abused, Neglected, Disadvantaged Youth (HANDY), a Broward County-based agency focused on supporting at-risk youth.

“I am truly honored to congratulate the undefeated Lauderdale Lakes Middle School Vikings. Under the leadership of Head Coach Bennett Wyche, Assistant Coaches Brice Callins and Johnnie Cuyler and Tournament Most Valuable Player Michael Johnson, the team excelled on the basketball court and in the classroom,” said Hastings. “Their academic accomplishments are as out-standing as their athletic and community service achievements. Nine members of the team have earned over a 3.0 GPA, over half of them are dually enrolled in high school courses and all of them are engaged in volunteer activities throughout the City of Lauderdale Lakes.”

     “The team’s success is a tribute to the power of collaboration. I commend Principal James F. Griffin, III for partnering with HANDY CEO Evan Goldman to ensure that these kids are supported throughout the school day and beyond. HANDY delivers tutoring, life skills, individualized educational planning, after school meals and snacks; behavioral health support, and in many cases, surrogate parenting.”

     “I also want to thank the Children’s Services Council of Broward County, the Com-munity Foundation of Broward and the United Way of Broward County for supporting this incredible work. Now more than ever, our children need investments in their future. In Broward, we are fortunate to have supporters who recognize that the middle school years are vital to our students’ success. What happens during middle school will prevent high school drop-outs and prevent children from becoming vulnerable to gangs, criminal activity, drugs and substance abuse.”