“No person in the United States shall on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” It was 50 years ago that Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 was passed into law. These 37 words served as the groundwork to open the door of opportunity for girls, especially in sports. It took years after the passage of the law for it to begin to take hold, but it eventually led to the rise of collegiate women’s athletic programs and professional leagues. Women are now making sports history, not just through their careers, but by being pioneers and breaking the glass ceiling, serving as an inspiration and paving the way for other women to follow in their footsteps.

Name – Antonia Campos
School – Bay Lake Elementary School
City – Windermere

Name – Sai Smriti Rakesh
School – Bay Lake Elementary School
City – Windermere

Name – Avyan Vadsola
School – Bay Lake Elementary School
City – Windermere

Name – Grace Dunkelman
School – Park Maitland School
City – Maitland

Name – Mycah Grace Mathias
School – The Bolles School – Ponte Vedra Campus
City – Ponte Vedra Beach

Name – Tatiana Yazgi
School – The Bolles School – Whitehurst Campus
City – Jacksonville

Name – Larissa Lorca
School – Bay Lake Elementary School
City – Windermere