A Champion Supporting Champions
May 3, 2023 – by Emily Milton
On Saturday, April 22, ACHS senior Milan Rex was honored for her donation of $1,000 to the Miracle League of Alexandria (MLA).
Rex was chosen as Gatorade Player of the Year, which is an award given to outstanding high school athletes nationwide. With the award, she was able to donate $1,000 to a youth sports organization of her choosing– and she chose The Miracle League. The award comes only weeks after winning the Virginia State Volleyball Championship with her ACHS team.
Volleyball players Rex and Chloe Wilmot and Coach Danielle Thorne pose with the honorary $1000 check. From left to right, Slover, Thorne, Wilmot, and Rex pose with Thorne’s honorary certificate.
The MLA is a non-profit organization begun by community member Bill Rivers and former head of the City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities Mac Slover. According to their website, the MLA is a group “comprised of private citizens concerned with supporting recreation and sports opportunities for individuals with special needs.” They specialize in providing youth and adults with physical and mental disabilities with the opportunity to play baseball, where every hit is a home run, and everybody has a good time.
With Rex’s generous donation, Rivers and Slover wanted to recognize her at one of the Miracle League’s games. Rex, teammate and fellow State Championship winner Chloe Wilmot, and ACHS Volleyball coach Danielle Thorne attended the Earth Day game. Instead of playing on their usual site of the Kelley Cares Miracle Field, the game was played indoors at the Nannie J. Lee Recreational Center due to weather conditions.
Both Rex and Thorne received certificates and MLA baseball jerseys, and a ceremonial check for Rex’s donation. In addition, Rex’s name was added on the Kelley Cares Field Memorial Wall. When presenting Thorne’s certificate, Slover highlighted her volunteer work with the recreation department when she was younger, and her recognition as Coach of the Year for 2022. Slover also stated his “hope for the future” because of young people and players like Rex who contribute so much to their community.
After the ceremony, Rex, Thorne, and Wilmot all participated as volunteer “helpers” with the adult members of the League, finishing the day after two innings and joining in on the tradition of singing “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” at the end. 
Rivers introduces Rex and Coach Thorne to players and their families. With her donation, Rex was also honored with a ceremonial baseball on the memorial wall outside the field. Rex assists fellow ACHS student Tucker Riley in moving to the bases.
