Please join us in congratulating Junior Nandi Davis, Sophomore Ethan Conrad, and 7th graders Nathan Watson and Rayanne Hepburn, who were added to WCA’s Winter “Student-Athletes of the Month.” These student-athletes were recognized not only for their dedication to their sports but due to their well-rounded extra-curricular activities and academic success.

Nandi Davis

Nandi competed this year as a member of our girls JV basketball team. According to Coach Scott, “Nandi would make every coach proud to have her on their team. She is a true role model to all and has her priorities in order – Faith, Family, School, and then her Passion. Nandi always has a smile on her face and is a pleasure to coach!”

Each student-athlete was asked to respond to a series of questions about the winter sports season, their faith walk and how it influences their actions on the pool deck and in the pool! Let’s see what Nandi has to share…

Q.  What was your favorite moment or highlight of the season?
A.  My favorite highlight from the season was when we won the game against Lafayette High School, which they were a team we had played previously.

Q.   What do you like most about your particular sport(s)?
A.    I play both volleyball and basketball and both are rigorous sports. Each call for lots of focus and a heart for playing as a team.

Q.    What do you think it takes to be a successful student-athlete?
A.  To be a successful student-athlete, it takes a lot of discipline to be able to organize your time between academics and sports.

Q.    How do you feel that you best contribute to the team?
A.  I feel that I best contribute to the team by being very supportive and respectful of each player and my coaches.

Q.     When did you first start participating in this particular sport?
A.    I started participating in sports in 8th grade.

Q.      In what other activities do you participate both at school and outside of school?
A.      At school, I am involved in the Student Council Association, Key Club, and National Honors Society, and National Art Honors Society. Outside of Williamsburg Christian Academy I am involved with Sentara Regional Medical Center in the Medical Explorer Program, and at my church with the youth.

Q.       How do you best balance your academics with your extracurricular activities/sports?
A.      I best balance my academics and my extracurricular activities/sports by managing my time and remaining disciplined.

Q.       How does your faith walk help you to have a firm foundation when you are engaging in athletic activities?
A.      My faith walk helps me to seek God and go into prayer when I am going through challenges. In athletic activities prayer before games and anytime help my mindset.

Q.      What scripture verse most inspires you to be the best athlete you can be?
A.    Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God…”

Q.      What skills have you learned from sports that will be most helpful to you in your overall life skills?
A.      While playing sports, I have learned to have a calm spirit and have my ears open to listen.

Q.      What other athletic endeavors would you like to participate in during the remainder of the school year (either inside or outside of school)?
A.    I would love to participate in camps outside of school, whether that be volleyball or basketball during the remainder of the school year.

Q.      What other interesting facts should we know about you:
A.      I love to sing, although I don’t do it often, and I “praise” dance at my church.

Ethan Conrad

Ethan is a starting guard on the Boys Varsity Basketball team as a sophomore. Coach Williams shared some great comments about Ethan and his work ethic, “Ethan is most deserving of this award as he exemplifies the true definition of a student-athlete. He manages to keep up with his grades and play the game he loves the most at a very high level. He was very instrumental for our ‘turnaround’ season after being hurt a few games at the beginning. He continues to work hard off the court as he does on the court and his results are showing.”

The verse that Coach Anne says reminds her the most of Ian is 1 Timothy 4:7 which states, “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” Coach Anne sees much of Ian reflected in this verse, “Ian knows that his physical training is important, but he keeps a good perspective on his other talents given by God, his academics and eternity.”

Like Nandi, Ethan was asked to respond to the same series of questions. Read on to learn more about this dedicated student-athlete:

Q.   What was your favorite moment or highlight of the season?
A.   When we upset Portsmouth Christian in an away game. 

Q.   What do you enjoy most about your particular sport?
A.   I enjoy playing and competing in games the most.

Q.   What do you think it takes to be a successful student-athlete?
A.    Time management above all else.. 

Q.    When did you first start participating in this particular sport(s)?
A.     I started playing when I was six years old. 

Q.    In what other activities do you participate both at school and outside of school?
A.    I volunteer at the Heritage Humane Society and play basketball for an AAU team in the offseason.

Q.    How do you best balance your academics with your extracurricular activities/sports?
A.    I try to organize my time the best I can to fit both priorities.

Q.    How does your faith walk help you to have a firm foundation when you are engaging in athletic activities?
A.    It keeps me grounded in what is important.

Q.    What scripture verse most inspires you to be the best athlete you can be?
A.    Phillipians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Q.    What skills have you learned from sports that will be most helpful to you in your overall life skills?
A.     The aspect of “teamwork”

Q.    What other athletic endeavors would you like to participate in during the remainder of the school year (either inside or outside of school)?
A.     I’ll be very focused on AAU basketball until next season to improve my skills.

Rayanne Hepburn

Rayanne was chosen as student-athlete of the month because she is the team’s “hype man”! Per Coach, Scott, the hype man cannot be shy and has to bring an extra amount of energy. Most of the players would shy away from this task, but Rayanne would volunteer to do it almost daily. Coach Scott stated, “Everyone needs a player like Ray!”

Here’s Rayanne’s responses to our list of questions!

Q.   What was your favorite moment or highlight of the season?
A.  My favorite moment of the season was when Coach Scott first put me in for a JJV game!

Q.   What do you enjoy most about your particular sport?
A.  The thing I like most about basketball is playing as a team. I like the plays. They sometimes confuse the other team and when you do different plays they have no idea what to expect. I also really like how the plays have cool names like “captain,” “America,” and “Kentucky”.

Q.   What do you think it takes to be a successful student-athlete?
A.  I think to become a successful student-athlete, you must be dedicated to your sport but more importantly to your school work.

Q.    When did you first start participating in this particular sport(s)?
A.    I first started participating in basketball this year when I joined WCA.

Q.    In what other activities do you participate both at school and outside of school?
A.  I participate in Praise Band and I am about to begin playing soccer at school. I am also singing with the youth choir at my church.

Q.    How do you best balance your academics with your extracurricular activities/sports?
A.  When I get home I get a snack first and then begin my schoolwork immediately afterwards!

Q.    How does your faith walk help you to have a firm foundation when you are engaging in athletic activities?
A.    My firm foundation when I engage in sports is that it is only a game! Do not go in the game thinking we must win. You just need to have fun.

Q.    What scripture verse most inspires you to be the best athlete you can be?
A.  Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Q.    What skills have you learned from sports that will be most helpful to you in your overall life skills?
A.    I have learned that you must be able to cooperate with the people around you even though you may not get along well with them or have the same beliefs.

Q.    What other athletic endeavors would you like to participate in during the remainder of the school year (either inside or outside of school)?
A.    I would like to try out for soccer and possibly golf.

Q.      What other interesting facts should we know about you:
A.    I’m from Nassau, Bahamas where I have participated in sports such as swimming, golf, track, gymnastics, and dance.

Nathan Watson

Nathan is an avid hoopster and big fan of Duke basketball. He is currently in the seventh grade on the Eagle boy’s JJV basketball team. Coach Scott stated, “Nathan is hard working and a great teammate to everyone on the team. Anything asked of him, the answer is always ‘Yes, coach’.” Coach Scott added that Nathan is an extremely hard worker in practice and isn’t afraid to get tired and during games, he never takes plays off of defense. He can always count on Nathan to give it his all!

And finally Nathan’s answers to our burning student-athlete questions!

Q.   What was your favorite moment or highlight of the season?
A. When I was able to start in games and also winning the Hornsby game by 1 point!

Q.   What do you enjoy most about your particular sport?
A.  I like basketball because coach Scott is respectful and pushes you past your limits to help us be better players.

Q.   What do you think it takes to be a successful student-athlete?
A.   You need to take the sport seriously and put a lot of work into your sport.

Q.    How do you feel that you best contribute to the team?
A.   By helping others and not just myself, as well as trying my best and being coachable.

Q.    When did you first start participating in this particular sport(s)?
A.  I first played basketball at the Rec. Center in 2nd grade and started playing baseball in 5th grade.

Q.    In what other activities do you participate both at school and outside of school?
A.    I’ve played soccer, baseball, and basketball for both school and Rec. Leagues.

Q.    How do you best balance your academics with your extracurricular activities/sports?
A.    I try to balance by academics by using my study hall to the best of my ability.

Q.    How does your faith walk help you to have a firm foundation when you are engaging in athletic activities?
A.    When I’m having a bad day in sports I’ll pray to God and ask for help.

Q.    What scripture verse most inspires you to be the best athlete you can be?
A.   A verse that helps me is Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Q.    What skills have you learned from sports that will be most helpful to you in your overall life skills?
A.   I have learned to have respect for others and their opinions as well as working hard toward a goal.

Q.    What other athletic endeavors would you like to participate in during the remainder of the school year (either inside or outside of school)?
A.    Another sport I would like to learn how to play lacrosse as well as football.

Q.      What other interesting facts should we know about you:
A.    I’m sick Duke basketball fan and I love the New England Patriots. Just Kidding, I really don’t like the Patriots at all. 

Keep an eye out for our Spring Sports Student Athletes of the Month!