ST. LOUIS, Mo. - In an effort to honor the achievements of exceptional student-athletes, the Missouri Valley Conference, in partnership with State Farm, has created the MVC State Farm Good Neighbor Award.  Commissioner Doug Elgin has announced 10 student-athletes as the honorees for the 2012 spring season, including Drake women's tennis senior Gabriela Demos (Chesterfield, Mo.).

This year's spring honorees include Mariah Cole, Bradley, Softball, Soph.; Becca Changstrom, Creighton, Softball, Soph.; Demos; Kelsey Costales, Evansville, Women's Tennis, Soph.; Hannah Esker, Illinois State, Women's Tennis, Sr.; Lindsay Beisser, Indiana State, Softball, Sr.; Emily Beaver, Missouri State, Women's Track & Field, Jr.; Jarred Herring, Northern Iowa, Men's Track & Field, Sr.; Thomas Heffernan, Southern Illinois, Men's Track & Field, Jr.; Courtney Reinke, Wichita State, Women's Track & Field, Jr.

In order to be eligible for the award, the student-athlete must be in good academic standing, must demonstrate good citizenship through good sportsmanship and significant community service, and must participate in a sport, during the season of recognition.  The Valley will recognize 10 student-athletes three times annually (fall, winter, spring), for a total of 30 honorees.  Institutions select their Good Neighbor Award honorees.

State Farm Insurance is a long-time sponsor of the Missouri Valley Conference and serves as title sponsor for all 18 MVC championship events. Also, State Farm is a prominent sponsor of the league's television network and a sponsor of the Missouri Valley Conference's community outreach program, "Just Read!"

Gabriela Demos, Drake, Women's Tennis, Senior

• Marketing Major (Law & Business Concentration) with a 3.80 GPA
• Scholar-Athlete First Team (2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12)
• Drake Athletics Marketing and Promotions Intern
• Management Trainee Summer Intern at Enterprise Rent-A-Car
• Alpha Phi Social Sorority
• American Marketing Association
• Co-President of Drake SAAC
• MVC SAAC Representative
• Meals from the Heartland Volunteer
• Blankets from Bulldogs (youth activity - tied blankets for Iowa Homeless Youth Centers)
• Organized SAAC Toys for Tots Collection