VIDALIA, La. — The Louisiana All-State Academic Team recently named two new members from Vidalia High School, Ronald Ellis and Terrell Williams.

Both received an honorable mention to the team.

The award went to student/athletes who maintained a high GPA while participating in their respective sports.

Ellis, who signed a scholarship with Grambling State University, played basketball for the Vikings.

&uot;It makes you feel really good when you work so hard toward something, and then get rewarded for it like this,&uot;&160;Ellis said.

&uot;My coaches and also my parents pushed me real hard to do my best early on, so when I&160;got to high school, it wasn’t really that hard to maintain a healthy balance between sports and academics.&uot;

Williams, who played football, basketball and baseball, echoed Ellis’ words.

&uot;Keeping up with the sports end of it was harder to me than the academic part,&uot;&160;said Williams.

&uot;School has always been easier to me than sports.&uot;

Williams plans to attend Louisiana State University, and major in Pre-Law.

&uot;I&160;realize where my strength lies, so I’m going to use it to the best of my ability,&uot;&160;Williams said.

Ellis plans to major in accounting.

&uot;Math has always been my strongest subject, so I’m going to try to continue learning in that area as much as possible,&uot;&160;Ellis said.

Both Ellis and Williams said sports and academics are equally important.

&uot;During basketball, my day was spent doing nothing but playing basketball and studying. My mother showed me early how important maintaining a proper balance between the two was,&uot;&160;Ellis said.

&uot;Getting this award just shows me that academics is just as important as doing well in sports,&uot; Williams said.

&uot;It shows that people still appreciate brains as well as athletic ability.&uot;