May 6, 2010

LAS VEGAS - UNLV student-athletes Alejandra Guacaneme and Jamie Smith were recognized as 2010 Arthur Ashe Junior Sports Scholars, which was announced recently by Diverse Issues in Higher Education.

Each year, Diverse Issues in Higher Education awards minority student-athletes from all NCAA sports. The criteria for the award require that nominees have completed one full academic year at the nominating institution, be enrolled for the fall term of the academic year being nominated, be an active member of an intercollegiate athletic team during the 2009-10 academic year and must have demonstrated a record of service to the campus or community.

Guacaname is a junior on the women's golf team and is a three-time letterwinner as well as a two-time NGCA All-American Scholar and Academic All-MWC selection, while also earning the MWC Scholar-Athlete award twice. A Dean's Honor List member every semester she has been on campus, Guacaneme's community service involvement includes volunteering for Nevada Reading Week and collecting canned food items for the Three Square food drive.

Smith recently completed her second season with the Lady Rebel basketball team and the sophomore has been on the Dean's List every semester since she enrolled at UNLV in the fall of 2008. Smith's community service work includes volunteering at the 2009 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, the 2009 AIDS Walk, the One Way 2 Play Anti-Drug Rally at Cashman field and numerous events at area elementary schools.