Fairfield, Conn. - April 24, 2020 - Six members of the Mount Holyoke College riding team were recognized for their dedication to both athletics and academics over the past four years, collecting the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Senior Athletic Academic Achievement Award, announced by the Association last week. Additionally, Carol Law (Belchertown, Mass.) earned the Joan Johnson Memorial Award.

The six Mount Holyoke College student-athletes to garner the IHSA Senior Athletic Academic Achievement Award include: Maya Brody (Weatogue, Conn.), Hanye Chen (Dachang, China), Emelia McLaughlin (Portland, Maine), Indra Rapinchuk-Souccar (Cummington, Mass.), Honami Tanaka (Fukuoka City, Japan) and Harriet Thomson (Paddington, Australia).

The Senior Athletic Academic Achievement Awards are presented to IHSA members who have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and have been a member of their intercollegiate equestrian team for three years, including their senior year. 

The Joan Johnson Award, given out by the Intercollegiate Equestrian Foundation, Inc., is a scholarship awarded to undergraduate students who have competed in intercollegiate equestrian activities and are based on criteria including academic achievement, equestrian sport achievement, community service and financial need. The award is given out in honor of Joan Johnson, who is a IHSA founding member, Stony Brook University Equestrian Team coach, Associate National Steward (1967-2000), Zone 3 chairperson and chair of the Scholarship Foundation since its inception. Joan Johnson, affectionately known as "JJ," is remembered for her uncommon devotion and leadership of the IHSA.

Law was one of only six student-athletes from around the country selected as an IEF Scholarship Noted Award Winner.

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