Created in 1995, the Lea Plarski Award is presented annually to an NJCAA student-athlete who exemplifies sportsmanship, leadership, community service, academic excellence and athletic ability. The honor is named after former NJCAA Lea Plarski in recognition of her tremendous service to the association. The former director of athletics at St. Louis Community College - Florissant Valley (MO), Plarski was instrumental in establishing the Women's Division of the NJCAA in 1975 - the first national collegiate athletic organization to develop such a structure. She served as Vice President of the NJCAA Women's Division from 1975-90. In 1990 she was tabbed as NJCAA President, becoming the first woman to hold the top elected position in the association. Known for her tireless dedication to student-athletes, the Lea Plarski Award honors her numerous accomplishments and service to the NJCAA.
 
Honored in 2002-03, Melanie Mendrop (Hinds CC Women's Soccer) is one of only four student athletes from just two Mississippi community colleges to receive this prestigious award, to date - 2019, since the award was initiated in 1995. 




Complete listing can be found here http://stats.njcaa.org/awards/student_athletes_of_the_year/lea_plarski_award/index