Whitefield alumni Naomy Grand’Pierre (’15) and Matt Simpson (’08) will be fulfilling their Olympic dreams in August as they compete in Rio. Grand’Pierre will be representing Haiti in the Olympic swimming competition, while Simpson will be representing the United States in the goalball competition in the Paralympics.
“Whitefield Academy is proud to have two athletes competing at the Olympic Games in 2016,” said Whitefield Headmaster Kevin Bracher. “Both Naomy and Matt are exceptional athletes of outstanding character. The entire Whitefield community is excited to support these amazing alumni as they realize their Olympic dreams.
Grand’Pierre will be the first female swimmer to represent Haiti in the Olympic Games. She is a former member of the state championship Whitefield Wolfpack swimming team and the Atlanta Dolphins swim team. She just completed her freshman year at the University of Chicago, where she is a member of the women’s swim team. She is a College Park resident.
Simpson, of Smyrna, will compete in the Paralympics following the conclusion of the Olympic Games in Rio. He will be competing as a member of the U.S. Men’s Goalball team and is ranked third in the world in the sport. In addition to being employed by the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes, Simpson is a member of the design committee for the new Olympic Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as well as a board member of the Turnstone Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a physical rehabilitation center serving those with physical disabilities. He also facilitates national Paralympic training for military veterans who have lost their vision during deployment.
Simpson is the son of Linda Simpson, former Admission Director at Whitefield.
“It’s been a life-long goal to represent the U.S.A. at the Paralympics,” said Simpson.“Looking forward to bringing back a gold medal from Rio!”
From the August 2016 issue of The Bright Side, Cobb County Georgia’s Newspaper covering Smyrna, Vinings, Mableton, Powder Springs and Austell, GA.
