IN O U R CO M MUNI T Y: ALUMNI
International Inspirations
Two Spartans Awarded Virginia Tech’s Balanced Man Scholarship
Sigga Eiriksdottir ’14’s ambition to achieve her
dream of an international career in forensics and
criminology developed right here at Steward.
Ms. Eiriksdottir first arrived in Richmond as an
international student from the Netherlands
in 2012, with plans to stay for a year while
attending James River High School in Midlothian.
But during that first year and after talking with
her host mothers, Brenda and Mahnaz Moosa,
Ms. Eiriksdottir found herself drawn to Steward.
“I liked the size and how personal it was,” Ms.
Eiriksdottir said. “I also really liked the sports
program and the organization around it. I quickly
noticed that the teachers and staff really cared
and wanted the best for their students, which
made the decision to transfer to Steward and
graduate from there very easy.”
When Virginia Tech freshmen Murad Matar ’18 and Ryan Odibo ‘18 ran into each other at the
Sigma Phi Epsilon Balanced Man Scholarship award banquet, they were shocked. Neither of them
had realized that not only had they both applied for the scholarship, they were two of the 15
finalists selected out of 285 applicants to attend the banquet.
Later in the night, Mr. Matar and Mr. Odibo both received the Balanced Man Scholarship, along with
two other winners pictured here. The scholarship is awarded to incoming male freshmen who show
they best follow the ideals that Sigma Phi Epsilon holds in high regard, which include scholastic
achievement, community service, and extracurricular activities. There is no obligation to join Sigma
Phi Epsilon in order to apply or receive the Balanced Man Scholarship.
According to Ebika Odibo, Ryan’s mother, the two young men were chosen by the committee
because their essays and interviews stood out. “The fact that two Spartans got it out of 285
applicants gave me chills,” Mrs. Odibo said. “It speaks highly of Steward and how the school
prepares kids.”
Steward Alum Recruited to
Division I Basketball Program
Now a graduate student studying Forensics,
Criminology, and Law at Maastricht University
in the Netherlands, Ms. Eiriksdottir still finds
herself back in Richmond regularly to visit her
host family. “I try to come back as often as I
can,” she said. “So far, I have made it back every
summer.”
Ms. Eiriksdottir’s plans after she graduates with
her master’s in February 2019 include pursuing a
career with Interpol, the Dutch Forensic Institute,
or for the national police. “I have always had
the dream of pursuing forensics since I was very
little,” she said. “Steward gave me the courage
and ambition to go out and pursue that dream.”
Marvin Cannon ’17 just finished up his first semester at
Washington State University, where he is playing basketball for the
Division I Cougars as a sophomore. Mr. Cannon was recruited as a
freshman out of Barton Community College in Great Bend, Kansas,
where he led his team to a 29-7 season culminating in a spot in
the 2018 NJCAA Division I National Tournament quarterfinals.
Cougars coach Ernie Kent made Mr. Cannon his first of nine other
Division I offers in the offseason, and he accepted. Mr. Cannon
will continue a basketball career at WSU with the skills he honed
PHOTO CREDIT:
WASHINGTON STATE
UNIVERSITY
at Steward, where he averaged 21.2 points and 6.4 rebounds as a
senior. This Spartan is one to watch as he continues to impress on
the court, now on a national scale!
The Colonnade |
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