SCHOOLS ALL-SCHOLASTIC GIRLS' TRACK

Shanika Pitts

Article:  Pitts has emerged from the enormous shadow cast by 2004 runner of the Year Ashly Hubbard, her
rival in the 300 meters, to prove she can be just as dominant. Only a junior, Pitts won both the Division 2
300-meter-title (41.09 seconds) and the Al-State title (40.68 seconds) and set a school record during the season.
The two-time Hockomock All-Star was also undefeated in the 50-meter dash in league races. Pitts played soccer
for Oliver Ames as the team finished 18-2-1 last fall, losing in overtime in the Division 1 South semifinals. She also
plays for the South Cost Scorpions. An honor roll student since her freshman year, Pitts hopes to study nursing in college.

Interview: In an interview with Shanika's mother, Veritta Pitts, who credits a large part of her daughter's success
to the BELL Accelerated Learning Summer Program. "In BELL Summer," Veritta indicated, "Shanika began to
believe in herself academically; she began to believe that she was smart. The program also helped her self-esteem immensely.  Learning about Black heroes and history helped her believe in who she was and who she could become."

Taken from the Boston Globe, April 3, 2005