lavonne_idlette_web.jpgFORT LAUDERDALE — LaVonne Idlette, who recently completed her first year as an evening student at the Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law, made her debut in the 2012 Olympic Games on Monday. Competing as a member of the Dominican Republic national team in the women’s 100m hurdles, she finished sixth with a time of 13:60.

Idlette, who owns Karisma Day Spa on east Commercial Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, was raised in Hampton, Va., and attended Hampton University where she earned a bachelor's degree in business administration. She earned her MBA in global entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University.

She is a national record holder for the Dominican Republic in the 100m hurdles and a World Championship Qualifier. She earned a top 20 world rank listing, and a top five rank in the Capital Athletic Conference. 

She competed in several international competitions this past year including the Pan-American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Idlette, whose Twitter handle is @lalahurdles2, told a TV reporter before heading for the London competition that the athletes “are encouraged to tweet because it keeps their fans able to keep up with them,” adding that she tweets every day.

Photo: LaVonne Idlette