The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA), the non-profit governing body of high school athletics in the Silver State, and Lifetouch National School Studios, Inc., the official photographer of the NIAA, have renewed their agreement for an eighth time.
The renewed partnership means the NIAA Top 10 Student-Athletes of the Year banquets, presented by Lifetouch Photography, will continue without interruption. Lifetouch’s financial investment and support saved the Top 10 banquets from being discontinued a decade ago.
“The Top 10 is a first-class program from the NIAA that Lifetouch is proud to be associated with,” said Alex Hames, Lifetouch’s Northern Nevada Territory Manager. “Lifetouch is committed to providing schools the latest technology with team and individual portraits, sponsoring NIAA events, and specifically providing a special opportunity to recognize the Top 10 student-athletes annually in the state of Nevada. Being involved with the NIAA, which is also committed to excellence and creating champions, is a perfect partnership. Lifetouch is honored to be a part of promoting, recognizing, and awarding the top student-athletes in the Silver State.”
“At Lifetouch, we’ve put together the most comprehensive sports photography program to cover all the needs of a school and athlete from start to finish,” Hames added. “As an employee-owned company, we are nationally trusted and represented locally to offer the most complete program. From digital products, complimentary coaches prints, direct submission of Yearbook and NIAA team photos, to full-time customer service, Lifetouch will get the job done in a time-efficient manner. We have also recently introduced cutting edge products, such as our action posed 'attitude panoramic' to showcase teams in a fun and exciting format. Additionally, we have invested in high end equipment to create unmatched quality in our product line.”
For more information about the NIAA-Lifetouch partnership, please contact Donnie Nelson, Assistant Director with the NIAA, at (775) 453-1012, or Alex Hames, Northern Nevada Territory Manager with Lifetouch, at (775) 851-0444, or Tracie Rogers, Southern Nevada Territory Manager, at (702) 278-6132 / 888-596-5756.
“The Top 10 banquets are unquestionably the most positive events we do each year,” said Donnie Nelson, Assistant Director of the NIAA. “We are very thankful for Lifetouch’s support of this first-class awards program. The 20 student-athletes we honor annually through this program are simply amazing.”
ABOUT THE TOP 10 BANQUETS
The Top Ten Student-Athletes of the Year award is given to not just the top high school athletes in the Silver State but rather to those student-athletes who exemplify total school and community involvement. Special consideration is given to student-athletes who participated in multiple sports, other school and student government activities, and community service projects while at the same time maintaining a high academic status within their school.
“This is an outstanding event which recognizes student-athletes who exemplify what high school activities and athletics are all about,” says Mr. Eddie Bonine, Executive Director of the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association. “While the requirements sound restrictive, we know these student-athletes exist as evident by the group of individuals we have with us tonight. It is our goal through the Top Ten program to find and honor these superb individuals.”
Each school is requested to submit an application for one male and one female student-athlete. All candidates must be seniors. The general categories include scholastic achievement (class rank, non-weighted grade point average, number of semesters on the honor roll, number of honors classes taken, and ACT and SAT scores), overall sports participation (number of varsity sports, number of varsity letters, and individual and team achievements), other activities (school and church activities, and community accomplishments), an essay, and letters of recommendation. The Top Ten Student-Athletes of the Year in both Northern Nevada and Southern Nevada, as selected by a panel of judges, are then honored with a formal dinner banquet.
Winners receive commemorative awards from the NIAA and its sponsors. The awards include a commemorative, souvenir portrait and a table for seven guests, free of charge, courtesy of Lifetouch.
