Local basketball player and former member of the Manitoba Provincial Team, Kenesha Pingue-Giles of Winnipeg was recently named the recipient of the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) Harry Jerome Awards for athletics. This national recognition award are presented in a variety of categories including arts, athletics, media, community service and
entertainment. Kenesha is currently finishing her grade 12 year at the University of Winnipeg Collegiate where she just helped the Collegiate Wesmen win their second AAA Girls Provincial title in as many years. For more on Kenesha and the award...
Kenesha, pictured standing second on the left, with other winners of the 29th annual Black Business and Professional
Association's Harry Jerome Awards, which are presented in a variety of
categories including arts, athletics, media, community service and
entertainment.
Kenesha Pingue-Giles first got involved in sports through the Sister MacNamara Boys & Girls Club, an after-school program in her hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba. In grade seven, instead of trying out for the junior girl's basketball team, Keneca tried out for the senior team with grade nine girls and was successful in making the team. She was voted Most Valuable Player for her contribution on both the basketball and volleyball teams and she won the Athlete of the Year Award. She continued to win Athlete of the Year in Grade 8 and 9 and was awarded the Len Baron Athletic and Academic Award.
Her grade nine basketball coach JoAnne Small noticed her talents on the court and suggested that she try out for the Team Manitoba under-15 basketball team. Once again, Kenesha stood out and was named as one of the twelve girls chosen from across the province for the team. In 2009, Kenesha's strive for excellence paved the way for a scholarship to attend the Collegiate at the University of Winnipeg. While there, she was chosen as captain for both the Junior Varsity volleyball and basketball teams. She was also voted Most Valuable Player on the basketball team and won yet another Athlete of the Year Award. The basketball team made it to the finals of the Junior Varsity Provincial Championships and she was selected as the first team all-star. She was also chosen as an All Manitoban first team all-star at the Provincial Basketball Awards.
In the summer of 2009, Kenesha was chosen to play for the Team Manitoba under-17 basketball team. She has travelled to Chicago to play in the . Nike Summer Showcase, Minneapolis and Prince Edward Island where she participated in the Canada Summer Games.
Kenesha gives back by volunteering with the Boys and Girls Club's 10-year-old girls' basketball team as the assistant coach. Under her leadership, the Club went on to become a finalist with the Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association.
Harry Jerome Awards Background