Maria Benitez-Zayas Receives Prestigious Sandy Miller Scholar-Athlete Award

Maria Benitez-Zayas was honored with the 2019-20 Sandy Miller Scholar-Athlete Award. The Sandy Miller Award is given annually to an NJCAA Region 8 women's basketball player who exhibits outstanding citizenship and athletic prowess.

Throughout her career at Palm Beach State College, Benitez-Zayas has established herself as a leader of the women's basketball team. In her two seasons as a Panther, she earned one first-team and one second-team All-Southern Conference selection.

Along with her on-court success, Maria has been an active member of the Palm Beach community off the court. Maria has worked with multiple volunteer organizations, including the Special Olympics and the Great American Smoke Out. She has participated in events at local schools, charities and events.

Being busy with basketball and community events has not limited Maria's academic success. She has been selected to the All-State Academic Basketball Team and the NJCAA All-Academic Team. After obtaining her undergraduate degree, Maria plans to obtain a master's degree in exercise science.

The Sandy Miller Scholar-Athlete Award is an annual NJCAA Region 8 women's basketball award. Each year, one sophomore scholar-athlete is selected based on academics, citizenship and athletic performance. The award is named on behalf of Sandy Miller—a former coach at Santa Fe College, long-time chair of the Women's Basketball Committee and former NJCAA Assistant Region Director.