The Early Years Raised
in the South Bronx area of New York City, Angie's family instilled in
her a passion for education and a spirit of saying "yes" to
opportunity. Born to a single mother, Angie and her brothers excelled
in the classroom and on the basketball court. But it was in her
grandfather's restaurant that Angie learned the "people skills" that
would make her a great communicator, public speaker, and a person who
respects all others. Much of that she learned from watching her uncle
Moe work with customers. Amidst an impoverished environment, Angie
found ways to excel. Her spirit was undaunted as she kept focus on
education, sports, and her care for people.
In an effort to find
an environment that would offer greater opportunities, the family moved
north of the Bronx. Angie attended Cornwall Central High School where
she was a member of the Honor Society and played basketball,
volleyball, and soccer. Her gifts were in basketball and at age 16, Angie
participated in the east coast tryouts for the 1976 USA Olympic Women's
Basketball Team. It was the first year that women's basketball would be
an Olympic sport. One of the youngest athletes in the competition,
Angie made it to the final cut before five women were chosen to
represent the eastern region.
The next year, as a junior in
high school, Angie was a member of the 1977 USA Women's Select National
Team that played in the R. William Jones Intercontinental Cup Tourney
in Taipei, Taiwan. That experience would lead to Angie's selection as a
First Team Parade Magazine All-American in its inaugural and now iconic
recognition for athletes. That year, Angie would be a concensus
all-american, named to all of the select high school teams. She held
the record for the most points scored in a single game (62) in New York.
John Fekner captured the urban decay of the South Bronx, NY
