Oct 10, 2006
CAPE COD, Mass. -- Rhode Island senior Destiny Woodbury was named one of three recipients of the 2006 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Award of Valor. She was presented with the award during the ECAC Convention Honors Dinner presented by Jostens on Sunday, October 1 at the Four Points by Sheraton Hyannis Resort.
The ECAC Award of Valor is awarded annually and was established in 1985 to honor student-athletes whose courage, motivation and relentless determination serve as an inspiration to all. The recipients exemplify strength of character, perseverance, and most importantly, accomplishment deserving recognition as being truly triumphant.
Woodbury is an accomplished track athlete having broken the school record in the 400-meter indoor, 4x400 indoor and 4x400 outdoor events. The 2005-06 and 2006-07 track team captain has been the New England Indoor and Outdoor Champion in the 400 meter as well as the Atlantic 10 Champion in the outdoor 4x400 meter relay. What her resume doesn't show, is what she has accomplished in life.
When she was six years old, she was in charge of feeding and tending to her three-year old brother Larry and infant sister, Jasmin. Her mother, Tanya was battling a drug addiction and Destiny, at a young age of six years old, was the caregiver. Eventually the courts gave custody of the children to their grandmother and their mother drifted in and out of their lives. Sadly, Destiny's mother died of an overdose in 1998.
Destiny has since grasped life and lived it to its fullest. She has taken advantage of each opportunity and excelled. A determined, dedicated, conscientious young woman, she knew her future lay in getting a good education and not on the streets.
At Mount Pleasant High School in Providence, she was ninth in her class. At URI, she is as successful - and will graduate with degrees in chemistry and secondary education. She participated in the 2004 NCAA Leadership Conference, served as president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for the 2005-06 academic year and was recently re-elected to serve again in this position for the 2006-07 academic year. In 2005, the National Consortium of Academics and Sports honored Destiny as the recipient of the Giant Steps Award for the Most Courageous Student-Athlete.
Brian Benvie of Stonehill College and David Nelson of Lafayette College were also selected to receive the award.
