KEVIN JENISON

GoSycamores.com

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State junior Rachael Johnson has been named a recipient of the Missouri Valley Conference Leadership & Service Award (formerly the Good Neighbor Award) for the winter according to MVC Commissioner Doug Elgin.

Johnson, who competes on the Sycamore women's track & field team, is majoring in Business-Financial Services at Indiana State and has been on the Dean's List and Athletic Director Honor Roll every semester eligible. She is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society, serves as vice president of the Indiana State SAAC chapter, and is the MVC Female SAAC representative.

The Sycamore has also been active in the community. She is the appointed section leader for the Vigo County School Corporation Backpack Program and the Terre Haute Women's Club Pack the Bus Program. She has also been a part of the Indiana Special Olympics and the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championship Special Olympic event.

A student assistant for the Indiana State University Athletics Academic Enrichment Center, Johnson has also assisted March of Dimes by being a grant writer for and assisted in the planning and execution of Sycamore Parents Night Out. She also coordinated the Talent Show for Habitat for Humanity, assisted in the Catholic Charities food drive which collected more than 16,000 pounds of canned goods, participated in Race for the Cure, and helped raise funds for Ryves Hall Youth Center at numerous Indiana State University sporting events.

In order to be eligible for the award, the student-athlete must be in good academic standing, must demonstrate good citizenship through good sportsmanship and significant community service, and must participate in a sport during the season of recognition. The Valley recognizes 10 student-athletes three-times annually (fall, winter, spring) for a total of 30 honorees.

MVC Release