By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – The Ohio Valley Conference issued its first-ever Community Service Awards today as former University of Tennessee at Martin student-athletes Anna Ordonio and Parker Stewart were recognized for their charitable efforts.
The awards, based on activities that took place during the 2022-23 academic year, recognize outstanding student-athletes for the contributions they make away from the playing surface, both on campus and in the community.
OVC member institutions who competed in the league during the 2022-23 academic year were able to select a maximum of one male and one female student-athlete from their institution to be honored.
“The OVC has always been about a sense of community,” OVC Commissioner Beth DeBauche said. “We are delighted to bestow these inaugural awards to these outstanding student-athletes who are giving back to their communities.”
A Frederick, Md. native, Ordonio graduated in May with a degree in biology. She volunteered for more than 600 hours over a three-year span at a local animal shelter and helped with can drive and donating nonperishable food items for local/campus pantries. She also purchased Christmas gifts for foster children and helped coordinate a book drive at Christmas for local youth.
Ordonio was a four-year member of the nationally ranked Skyhawk equestrian program, taking part in six meets (three exhibitions, three demo rides). In the classroom, she received NCEA All-Academic honor roll accolades in 2021 and was named to the UT Martin Athletic Director’s Honor Roll as a freshman.
Stewart hosted toy drives each Christmas in his hometown of Union City, Tenn., where he also hosted free basketball camps. He worked directly with the Boys & Girls Club as well as the Javonte Moffitt Foundation to provide enrichment and support for area children. Additionally, he donated cans and nonperishable food items to the campus food pantry.
On the hardwood, Stewart was a two-time All-OVC performer for the Skyhawks – pouring in 963 points over 55 career games in two seasons. He graduated with two degrees from UT Martin (bachelor’s in 2019, Master’s in 2020) and earned academic honors from the National Association of Basketball Coaches, OVC and UT Martin during his career.
Overall, 18 student-athletes received the new OVC Community Service Award. Other recipients included Tennessee Tech’s Seth Carlisle (football), Lindenwood’s Rumbi Chisango (golf), Morehead State’s Hannah Curreri (golf), Southern Indiana’s Morgan DeShetler-Beyer (soccer), Tennessee Tech’s Katelyn Farmer (soccer), Little Rock’s Angelique Francis (basketball), Eastern Illinois’ Stone Galloway (football), Lindenwood’s Abe Haerr (football), Southeast Missouri’s Chris Harris (basketball), Tennessee State’s Serenity Harry (track and field), Little Rock’s Graydon Martin (baseball), Southern Indiana’s Joshua Myers (cross country/track and field), Southeast Missouri’s Mackenzie Pugh (cross country/track and field), SIUE’s Jenna Taphorn (volleyball), Tennessee State’s Dion Villiers (football) and Morehead State’s Bryce Ward (rifle).
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information
