Paul Davis Scholarship At Clinton Community College Announced

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The LumberKings and the entire Clinton community lost a good friend in March with the sudden passing of LumberKings President Paul Davis. To honor his memory, friends and family have established a scholarship at Clinton Community College to honor him and his commitment to education and the community. Paul Davis

The LumberKings and the entire Clinton community lost a good friend in March with the sudden passing of LumberKings President Paul Davis. To honor his memory, friends and family have established a scholarship at Clinton Community College to honor him and his commitment to education and the community.

Paul Davis grew up in Des Moines, Iowa and attended Clinton Community College. An agent with the Iowa Bankers Association in Des Moines, he placed great value in education. He was a dedicated volunteer and champion for many causes in the community. His love of sports grew from being an athlete as a young kid, to coaching at all levels, especially the 20-plus seasons of coaching his children’s teams. He loved attending events with wife Kris, and supporting his family by cheering on any team they are part of.

Camanche High School Basketball Coach Josh Davis said this about his father, “Dad was a great example on how to serve others. It was great to have him involved with our basketball program in Camanche. Most of the things I do as a coach, I learned from watching him when I was a kid. This scholarship will be a great way to honor his memory.”

Paul was an official with the Iowa High School Boys and Girls Athletic Associations, as well as the NAIA and NCAA college associations. He served on a variety of foundations including Riverboat Days, Clinton Junior Baseball, local volleyball organizations, and was Past President of the Clinton LumberKings Baseball Club.

Clinton LumberKings General Manager Ted Tornow commented, “Paul valued education and learning. He was always looking for ways to improve not only himself, but others. He touched many lives in this community and this scholarship is a testament to a life well-lived. Many future students will benefit from this and I know that Paul would be very happy to know that.”

The Paul Davis Memorial Scholarship, an annual $500 scholarship through the Paul B. Sharar Foundation for Clinton Community College, will be awarded to a CCC student who makes a difference. The student must demonstrate a commitment to their education and to the community through hard work and active volunteerism. Paul Davis believed that everyone in the community could come together to make this a great place. He valued hard work, and also appreciated the lessons that extracurricular activities could provide.

For more information about the Paul Davis Memorial Scholarship, contact the Paul B. Sharar Foundation at 563-244-7040. Donations can be made to the Paul Davis Memorial Scholarship at Clinton Community College Sharar Foundation, 1000 Lincoln Blvd., Clinton, Iowa or at https://www.eicc.edu/alumni-and-giving/sharar-foundation/.

Blue Wahoos Help Recognize Two Area Scholarship Winners In MiLB Rising Stars Program 

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A partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida enabled the Blue Wahoos to help celebrate national recognition for two area high school graduates.

Dashawn Appleberry from Rocky Bayou Christian School in Niceville, along with Rhett Hardy from Pine Forest High School, were both recipients of Rising Star Student awards for $500 through a scholarship program with Minor League Baseball and the national Big Brothers Big Sisters organization.

They were among 20 winners nationwide in a program MILB Charities founded in 2016 for deserving BBBS student enrollees in Minor League Baseball communities across the nation. A partnership began in 2004 with the national Big Brothers Big Sisters organization and Minor League Baseball.

“Think of this, there are 162 teams (in MiLB) and there are 20 scholarships,” said Blue Wahoos owner Quint Studer, who participated in a Zoom conference call Monday to honor the two area seniors. “So that means one out of every eight teams could possibly get somebody to be named a winner and we have two.

“On behalf of the Blue Wahoos, we would like to thank Minor League Baseball…we’re just carrying a message. It is wonderful testimony to the quality of applicants we have right here (in Northwest Florida).”

Appleberry, whose family moved to the area from New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina’s wrath in 2005, will be the first from his family to attend college. He will begin classes later this month at Florida State where he will major in Computer Science.

He graduated with a 3.85 cumulative grade point average. He has been mentored by his Big Brother Richard for the past 10 years.

Hardy, who was a member of the Pine Forest baseball team, attained a 4.87 GPA and will attend the University of Florida where he will major in Biomedical Engineering. He has spent three years with his Big Brother mentor, shadowing him once a month in a School To Work program at Navy Federal Credit Union.

“They both blew it out of the park, no pun intended, to apply for this scholarship,” said Dana Hall, director of development for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida. “We are so excited they were selected. This is going to help them kick-start their next adventure.”

Appleberry and Hardy are classified as “Littles” in the BBBS program. Their mentors are business employees in the community and classified as “Bigs”.

“We have done several events with the Blue Wahoos…recruitment events, spirit nights, a Big/Little first pitch,” Hall said. “We have been incredible partners with Blue Wahoos.

“So when this opportunity came out from our national office, we really wanted to encourage all of our Big Brothers to get with their Little Big Brother/Sister and apply for this scholarship.”

The MILB partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters included scholarship stipends to graduating seniors who start college this fall semester. The application process included either a written essay submitted online or a video presentation of qualifications.

“I’m very grateful I was one of the few who got picked,” said Appleberry during the Zoom video conference.

“I want to thank everybody who helped get me this scholarship,” said Hardy, who was a member of the National Honor Society at Pine Forest.

Hall thanked Studer and the Blue Wahoos for all the support the team has provided during the nine years of the franchise. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year as part of the national organization.

“Quint is a huge advocate of not only our mission, but just mentoring in general,” Hall said. “The Pensacola Blue Wahoos have done so many things in our community. Even with the pandemic going on, they have gone above and beyond with just giving us a little sense of normalcy and still bringing the community together.”

Fredericksburg Nationals to Host Jackie Robinson Legacy Night July 14th

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WHAT: Jackie Robinson Legacy Night will include an award ceremony for the recipients of the Jackie Robinson Writing Contest that the FredNats created in conjunction with Germanna Community College. In honor of FredNats Owner, Art Silber’s 80th birthday, there will also be a free showing of the movie “42” on the video board for fans to view from the field. There will be concessions and FredNats merchandise available for purchase inside the ballpark.

WHO: Speakers for the scholarship award ceremony include Fredericksburg Mayor, Mary Katherine Greenlaw, Vice Mayor-Councilman Chuck Frye, Germanna Community College President, Janet Gulickson, FredNats Treasurer, Seth Silber, and FredNats Owner, Art Silber.

Due to regulations from the health department, there is a cap of 1,000 attendees for this event. Attendees will be admitted on a first come, first serve basis as there are no reservations or tickets.

WHY: The FredNats are hosting this event to celebrate the achievements of the Jackie Robinson Writing Contest winners and Art Silber’s 80th birthday, as well as treat members of their community to a free showing of the movie “42, The Story of Jackie Robinson.”

WHEN: The event will be held on Tuesday, July 14. The schedule of events is as follows:

  • 6:00 p.m. Gates Open
  • 7:15 p.m. Scholarship Award Ceremony Begins
  • 7:45 p.m. Free Showing of “42” (Runtime 2:08)

WHERE: The new Fredericksburg Nationals ballpark is next to the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center located at 2371 Carl D. Silver Pkwy, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. The movie “42” will be displayed on the stadium’s video board and will be viewed from the field and seating will be properly spaced to ensure fan safety.

Fans will be invited to sit only on the dark green stripes of turf on the field and will be asked to sit 15 ft apart from other groups or families. FredNats blankets will be available for purchase but fans are invited to bring their own if they would like. No lawn chairs will be allowed on the field.

Masks will be strongly encouraged for this event. All members of the FredNats staff will be wearing masks for the entirety of the event.

CONTACT: To schedule any interviews before or at Jackie Robinson Legacy Night with members from the Fredericksburg Nationals, please contact Paige Honaker at [email protected].

The Fredericksburg Nationals are the High A affiliate of the Washington Nationals in the Carolina League. Their brand new, state of the art stadium facility is located at Celebrate Virginia South on Carl D. Silver Parkway near the Fredericksburg Expo & Convention Center in Fredericksburg, VA. Stay up to date with the progress of the new ballpark facility and the team online at www.frednats.com and follow the Fredericksburg Nationals on Facebook (@FXBGNats), on Twitter (@FXBGNats), and on Instagram (@fxbgnats).

2020 LoanMart Scholarship Winners Announced

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RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA — For the eighth consecutive year, LoanMart and the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes have partnered to award a total of three scholarships to local graduating high school seniors in San Bernardino County.

Each college-bound student will be awarded $1000 and will be officially honored by the Quakes on social media.

This year’s applicants were asked to write an essay on why they felt they deserved the scholarship, as well as submitting other information via application (e.g. intended major, school, class year, etc.). Winners were selected based on the criteria of leadership, community involvement and character.

“LoanMart is proud of this year’s scholarship winners for their commitment, dedication and hard work,” said LoanMart Marketing Manager Justin Cross. “We hope that this scholarship helps give them the support they need to accomplish their dreams!”

“The Quakes are proud to continue to team with LoanMart and reward three deserving students within our local community,” said Quakes Vice President – General Manager Grant Riddle. “The decision-making process this year was a difficult one as we had so many terrific, well-qualified applicants who are doing some great things in and for our community. We’re thrilled for these particular students and are confident all three are going to have a very bright future!”

Congratulations to this year’s scholarship winners:
Monserrat Landino (Rancho Cucamonga High School)
Alexis Lozoya (Don Lugo High School)
Asna Tabassum (Ayala High School)

Through her high school Accounting class, Landino is an IRS-certified volunteer who helps low-income families with their tax returns. Landino is planning to attend Cal State Fullerton in the Fall while working towards a degree in Accounting.

Tabassum is planning on attending USC while majoring in Biomedical Engineering. The Valedictorian of Ruben S. Ayala High School in Chino Hills had a non-weighted GPA of 4.0 and served more than 500 hours as a volunteer at Pomona Valley Hospital.

Lozoya graduated from Don Antonio Lugo High School in Chino. She has been a member of the Girl Scouts, was a four-year cheerleader and will attend UC San Diego in the Fall.

Keep an eye out on Quakes’ social media as we honor each winner of this year’s LoanMart scholarship.

2020 Nick Adenhart Scholarships Awarded

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Cedar Rapids, IA – The Cedar Rapids Kernels in collaboration with the Kernels Foundation and the Adenhart Family recently awarded to two Eastern Iowa high school graduates with a $1,000 scholarship. On Sunday, June 7th, Ella Popenhagen from Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School and Logan Schmitt from Independence High School were recognized during a special check presentation on Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium in front of their families and members of the Kernels Foundation.

Ella Popenhagen participated in track and field, cross country and swimming. She was named Captain and to the Metro Team for both swimming and track and field for the Cougars. Popenhagen served as a member of Student Government at Kennedy High School and was a member of National Honor Society. Her other school and community activities include Best Buddies Club, Show Choir, St. Luke’s Hospital Volunteer and Special Olympics. Popenhagen plans to attend The University of Northern Iowa and pursue a degree in Movement and Exercise Science.

Logan Schmitt participated in football, basketball, track and field and baseball all four years of high school for the Mustangs. Schmitt was named Captain of the baseball team his junior and senior seasons. Schmitt was a member of National Honor Society, a school mentor and participated in numerous community activities in Independence. Schmitt plans to attend Kirkwood Community College this fall and eventually earn a degree in medicine. Congratulations to these two outstanding youths in Eastern Iowa. Photos of the check presentations attached.

Read More: Cedar Rapids Kernels

Read more about the Nick Adenhart Memorial Scholarship

Fayetteville Woodpeckers & Piedmont Natural Gas Unveil STEM Scholarship Program

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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Fayetteville Woodpeckers announced today they are teaming up with Piedmont Natural Gas to provide three $1,000 college scholarships to local high school seniors who plan to pursue a career in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) field.

In support of high school seniors who have had their final year cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Woodpeckers and Piedmont Natural Gas have created this scholarship program for our community’s young adults who are planning to continue their education at the collegiate level. In addition to academic excellence, volunteerism, and 2020 enrollment at an accredited institution of higher education, one of the eligibility requirements is participation in at least one sports team and/or extracurricular activity during their high school education.

“Piedmont Natural Gas is committed to promoting education and careers in STEM, which is why we’re honored to partner with the Woodpeckers on these scholarships,” says Tammy Thurman, Community Relations Manager for Piedmont Natural Gas. “We take pride in supporting and providing opportunities to bright young minds in our community.”

Those who are interested in applying for the Fayetteville Woodpeckers STEM Scholarship Program, presented by Piedmont Natural Gas, can go online to www.piedmontng.com/woodpeckers for a complete list of eligibility requirements and instructions. The application deadline is May 1, 2020.

2020 Nick Adenhart Memorial Scholarship Deadline Approaching

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Cedar Rapids, IA – The application deadline for the eighth annual Nick Adenhart Memorial Scholarship, administered by the Kernels Foundation, is Friday, April 10th.

Nick Adenhart was a bright young pitcher who played for the Cedar Rapids Kernels in 2006, and he was a rising star in the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim organization. Only hours after Nick’s 2009 season debut on the mound for the Angels, Nick was tragically killed by a drunk driver on April 9, 2009 at age 22.

Nick’s family would like to honor him by awarding two $1,000 scholarships in his memory. The Kernels Foundation is privileged to administer the scholarships on behalf of Nick’s family.

Applicants must be a graduating high school senior from an area high school and attend a two or four-year accredited college or university and take 12 or more hours per semester. The applicant must have played an organized sport in the last two years, must be a great teammate, must demonstrate hard work and determination, and must have a clear vision of their career goal.

With the recent closure of Veterans Memorial Stadium and area high schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic scholarships can are being accepted one of two ways:

Nick Adenhart Memorial Scholarship
C/O Cedar Rapids Kernels
PO Box 2001
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406

Scholarship applications may be downloaded from the Kernels website at www.kernels.com under the ‘COMMUNITY’ tab.

For more information, please contact Doug Nelson at 319-363-3887 or email at [email protected].

 

FredNats and Germanna Community College Partner to Benefit Fredericksburg Community

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FREDERICKSBURG, VA – On Wednesday, February 26th the Fredericksburg Nationals and Germanna Community College announced more details of their partnership that will be implemented for the 2020 season.

Germanna and the FredNats are entering into a unique partnership that will highlight the history of baseball in Fredericksburg and the surrounding region in the new ballpark, while at the same time providing educational opportunities, scholarships, and exhibitions for use by the college and regional students. This program is also supported in conjunction with the FredNats’ partnerships with the Fredericksburg Area Museum (FAM) and Dovetail Cultural Resource Group (Dovetail), both of whom are providing substantial resources to bring the history of baseball in Fredericksburg to the new ballpark

The FredNats and Germanna announced the conception of the Jackie Robinson Writing Contest and Scholarship Fund that is open to all high school students in the Fredericksburg and surrounding counties. Five annual scholarships of $1,042 will be awarded to winners selected by a board made of members of the FredNats and Germanna’s choosing. High school juniors and seniors from the Germanna service area which includes Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Culpeper, Orange, King George, Madison and Caroline are eligible to participate.

The entry information and form is available at https://www.germanna.edu/42essay/ and students should submit essays by April 15. The five winners of the $1,042 scholarships will be awarded at the FredNats home game against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans on Friday, May 29.

As an interactive element of the ballpark, Germanna Community College, in conjunction with the Fredericksburg Area Museum and Dovetail Cultural Resource Group, are creating an 80-foot-long History Pavilion on the back of the “batter’s eye” of the stadium outfield concourse. This pavilion includes a wall that will highlight various historical events relating to baseball in Fredericksburg. The wall design and elements are being finalized and is expected to be installed in the stadium in late May.

Germanna, in partnership with the historical research completed by Dovetail and FAM, will produce several episodes of “History Minutes” of Fredericksburg to be displayed pregame in the ballpark. Episodes will highlight significant historical events in Fredericksburg related to baseball. The first history minute featuring the historical Walter Johnson coin toss across the Rappahannock from 1936 was released during the partnership announcement. The video is available for viewing below.

The Fredericksburg Nationals are set to begin Carolina League play in 2020 at a brand new, state of the art stadium facility, located at Celebrate Virginia South on Carl D. Silver Parkway near the Fredericksburg Expo & Convention Center in Fredericksburg, VA. Stay up to date with the progress of the new ballpark facility and the team online at www.frednats.com and follow the Fredericksburg Nationals on Facebook (@FXBGNats), on Twitter (@FXBGNats), and on Instagram (@FXBGNats).

 

2020 CT Military All-Star Nominations Now Open

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NORWICH, CT – The Norwich Sea Unicorns, Class-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, and the Better Business Bureau Serving Connecticut are proud to announce that the nomination process for the 2020 CT Military All-Stars promotion is now open and will run through July 10th! The seventh annual promotion will honor nine current or former military personnel prior to Military Appreciation Night at Dodd Stadium on Friday, August 14th.

2020 will be the eighth consecutive season that the annual Military Appreciation Night will be presented by the Better Business Bureau Military Line which provides free services, consumer education and other resources for military families, to assist them during and after deployment. The nine honorees will be selected from the pool of nominations by a panel of community judges and will be honored on the field prior to the game. In addition, the first 1,000 fans through the gates on August 14th will receive a baseball card set featuring these heroes.

Nominations representing all branches of the military are welcome. The submission form can be found online by visiting goseaunicorns.com/military. Fans can also pick up a nomination form and submit their nomination in person at Dodd Stadium at the Dime Bank Information Booth during Tigers games or in the front office during regular business hours through July 10th.

In addition to the CT Military All-Stars ceremonies, the Sea Unicorns will be wearing specially designed and military themed jerseys during the game on August 14th. The jerseys will be auctioned off during the game. The proceeds will go towards a scholarship for a military family through the BBB Military Line.

The Norwich Sea Unicorns are the New York-Penn League affiliate of the Detroit Tigers at Dodd Stadium in Norwich, Connecticut. 2020 season memberships for “The Captains Club”, mini plans, and team merchandise are now on sale! The 2020 season at Dodd Stadium kicks off on Sunday, June 21st at 7:05 pm with fireworks after the game. The front office and box office are open daily from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday and can be accessed in person or by calling 860-887-7962.

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Knights Announce 2020 Scholarships with Founding Partners

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(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) — The Charlotte Knights will once again provide educational funding through two unique scholarships for high school students with help from two of their founding partners. The Charlotte Knights Healthcare Scholarship, presented by Atrium Health, along with the Charlotte Knights STEM Scholarship Program, presented by Piedmont Natural Gas, each represent the team’s focus on community initiatives.

The Knights and Atrium Health began their partnership in 2013 with the Charlotte Knights Healthcare Scholarship program. Over the course of seven years, a total of 21 high school students have each been honored with a $1,000 scholarship. In an effort to improve educational funding for high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in health care, the Charlotte Knights and Atrium Health will provide three more $1,000 college scholarships to local high school seniors in 2020. The upcoming season will mark the eighth consecutive year of this partnership.

“We are proud of our ongoing partnership with the Charlotte Knights to provide academic scholarships to deserving students with an interest in healthcare,” said Rasu Shrestha, MD, executive vice president and chief strategy officer at Atrium Health. “By empowering and supporting the next generation, we’re able to be a small part of these students having a meaningful impact on communities in the future as they provide health, hope and healing to countless lives.”

The Knights and Piedmont Natural Gas will also continue to award three $1,000 college scholarships to high school seniors from the Charlotte region who plan to attend college and pursue studies in the STEM disciplines of science, technology, engineering or math. Launched in 2014, Piedmont Natural Gas and the Knights have awarded a total of 18 scholarships to students attending college within Piedmont’s service territories in North and South Carolina. The 2020 season will mark the seventh consecutive year of this partnership.

“Piedmont Natural Gas is committed to promoting education and careers in STEM, which is why we’re honored to partner with the Knights on this scholarship for the seventh year,” said Barbara Ashford, director of community relations for Piedmont Natural Gas. “Supporting and providing opportunities to bright young minds in our community through the STEM Scholarship Program is something we take pride in each year.”

The Charlotte Knights STEM Scholarship Program, presented by Piedmont Natural Gas, will be awarded during an on-field ceremony on Tuesday, June 16. The Charlotte Knights Healthcare Scholarship, presented Atrium Health, will be awarded during an on-field ceremony at BB&T Ballpark on Wednesday, June 17. All applications must be completed by Sunday, May 3, 2020.

APPLICATIONS

About Atrium Health
Atrium Health, previously Carolinas HealthCare System, one of the nation’s leading and most innovative healthcare organizations, provides a full spectrum of healthcare and wellness programs throughout North and South Carolina. Its diverse network of care locations includes academic medical centers, hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, physician practices, surgical and rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, nursing homes and behavioral health centers, as well as hospice and palliative care services. Atrium Health works to enhance the overall health and wellbeing of its communities through high quality patient care, education and research programs, and numerous collaborative partnerships and initiatives. http://atriumhealth.org

About Piedmont Natural Gas
Piedmont Natural Gas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, is an energy services company whose principal business is the distribution of natural gas to more than 1 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The company also supplies natural gas to power plants. Piedmont is routinely recognized by J.D. Power for excellent customer satisfaction, and has been named by Cogent Reports as one of the most trusted utility brands in the U.S.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S. It employs 30,000 people and has an electric generating capacity of 51,000 megawatts through its regulated utilities, and 3,000 megawatts through its nonregulated Duke Energy Renewables unit.

Duke Energy is transforming its customers’ experience, modernizing the energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2020 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list, and Forbes’ 2019 “America’s Best Employers” list. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental topics. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Opening Knight of the 2020 season is set for Thursday, April 16 at 7:04 p.m. from BB&T Ballpark. Single-game tickets for all home games this season are available now by phone at 704-274-8282, online at www.CharlotteKnights.com, or in person at the BB&T Ballpark Ticket Office.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Couch Oil Cares Scholarship Program

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The Couch Oil Cares Scholarship Program was established in 2015 in an effort to help defray the rising costs of higher education. Again this year, Couch Oil Company is teaming up with the Durham Bulls to award scholarships to six deserving students. The $1,000 scholarship is available to students who have been accepted into either a four-year or community college and reside in a 16-country area surrounding the Triangle.

The Couch Oil Cares Scholarship Program was established in 2015 in an effort to help defray the rising costs of higher education. Again this year, Couch Oil Company is teaming up with the Durham Bulls to award scholarships to six deserving students. The $1,000 scholarship is available to students who have been accepted into either a four-year or community college and reside in a 16-country area surrounding the Triangle. Last year’s winners were:

Elodie Deneassembaye from Chapel Hill High
Jillian Janssen from Cary Academy
Olivia King from Durham School of the Arts
Frankie Reed from Fuquay Varina High
Maggie Shealy from East Chapel Hill High
Rob Treadway from Cardinal Gibbons High

“Couch Oil Company is pleased to be a sponsoring partner with the Durham Bulls this season,” said Stephen Couch, President of Couch Oil Company. “To make this endeavor complete, we are excited to once again offer the Couch Oil Cars Scholarship to benefit families in our community.”

Couch Oil Company, a family owned and operated Durham-based company, specializes in propane, gasoline, premium diesel, lubricants and tank cleaning.

The Bulls share in Couch Oil Company’s vision to aid those with aspirations of attending college.

“Our flagship community programs focus on improving the lives of children in our community,” said Durham Bulls Vice President – Baseball Operations Mike Birling. “We are thrilled to partner with Couch Oil on this endeavor to give students an opportunity to reach for higher education.”

To apply for this scholarship, please download this application, and submit no late than June 5, 2020.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Worcester Red Sox Create “The WooSox Foundation” to Benefit the City, the Region, and the Commonwealth

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Education to be first area of focus: Worcester Public Library and Worcester Public Schools to be first beneficiaries– WPL Foundation to receive $25,000 donation; Library to receive books to begin a “Baseball Book Nook”

WORCESTER, MA – As promised in the Community Benefits Agreement with the City of Worcester and the Worcester Community Labor Coalition, the Worcester Red Sox today announced the creation of the “WooSox Foundation” to benefit the people and the charities of the city, the region, and the Commonwealth.

The foundation’s first area of focus will be education, and two of the first beneficiaries will be the Worcester Public Library Foundation and the Worcester Public Schools.

The foundation will donate $25,000 to the library, and will also donate books from the personal libraries of the club’s Principal Owner & Chairman, Red Sox Hall of Famer Larry Lucchino, as well as Vice-Chairman and Worcester native Mike Tamburro, and club President Dr. Charles Steinberg. Each has amassed a collection in their more than 40 years in baseball. The books will begin a “Baseball Book Nook” at the library.

Worcester Public Schools middle schoolers will be eligible to become “WooSox Scholars,” another club commitment in the CBA. The program will provide college scholarships of $10,000 each to four academically talented students. The first recipients will be the Class of 2021, selected in this coming school year and announced at Polar Park in the spring of 2021.

The WooSox Foundation will also create and operate a variety of programs to benefit students at each grade level, from WooSox Mentors for elementary school students to Dream Careers presentations for high school students. The foundation will also present small stipends to teachers in a new “MVT” program for Worcester’s “Most Valuable Teachers.”

In addition, the WooSox will host “Worcester School Days” each year for at least the first five years, when every Worcester student from Kindergarten through 12th grade-more than 24,000 children each year-receive a ticket to a ballgame at Polar Park.

The foundation will also present programs that help students learn the international social significance of such baseball stars as Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, and the Red Sox’ own Luis Tiant, Pedro Martinez, and David Ortiz.

“We are eager to fulfill the obligations that we offered in the Community Benefits Agreement,” Lucchino said. “Establishing the WooSox Foundation and announcing that the Worcester Public Library and the Worcester Public Schools will be immediate beneficiaries begin that process and help us demonstrate our intense desire to be more than a ballclub. We commit to being active participants in this community and in its charitable life.”

Lucchino also established philanthropic foundations with the Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres, and Boston Red Sox, and expanded the depth and breadth of the PawSox Foundation.
“Our public library and our schools are vitally important in fostering the education and academic development of our youth,” said Worcester City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr. “We thank the Worcester Red Sox and the generosity of the WooSox Foundation in supporting both our students and all those in the community that utilize our library.”

“Worcester’s biggest asset is its young people, and nothing is more important than educating our children,” said Harvard Professor and Worcester native Paul Reville, a former Massachusetts Secretary of Education and an advisor to the WooSox. “These Red Sox gifts to our students and our library not only strengthen education in this community, but signal that in Worcester, learning is the top priority.”

More information can be found on the newly-formed website WooSoxFoundation.org.

Beyond The Nat 2020

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By Rob Fai / Vancouver Canadians | January 24, 2020 5:30 PM

There is a saying that “just because my path is different doesn’t mean I’m lost,” referring to the many twists and turns that life can present over the course of time that can somehow end exactly where we need it to. The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation, thanks to the generosity of co-owner Jeff Mooney and his wife Suzanne, created a post-secondary scholarship program to help those on their path in life find a way to have it include education.

Valued at up to $15,000 per year, per recipient, the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation in cooperation with The Boys & Girls Clubs of South Coast BC has identified seven new scholarship recipients for the upcoming year from all walks of life and with completely different aspirations.

The prerequisite for applying for the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Scholarship Program was simple. Show that you had a passion for continuing education beyond high school and show a commitment to your community and its betterment.

This year’s recipients of the Jeff Mooney & Suzanne Bolton Scholarships are all extremely deserving. Here is a look at just two of the many we helped open the door for this year.

Ludee Plaw came to Canada as a child along with her family when she was just seven years old after spending more than a year in a refugee camp in her native Thailand. Her parents hoped for a better future for their children by simply waiting for their turn to be processed by the Thai government. Not knowing where they would be sent – the Plaw family who eventually find out that Canada would be their destination and upon arriving months later had little to show for their life back home.

“We came here not knowing English, not knowing anything,” says Plaw just steps away from a local Boys & Girls Club much like the one she frequents in the Fraser Valley.

“It was new for my parents, but I think it was worth it as they watched us grow up learning a second language, going to school and graduating high school which was a big thing for them because they didn’t graduate high school. I am the first one to now attend university which is the biggest thing for them, and they are really proud because I never would have gotten this type of education back home.”

A few summers ago, Plaw found her calling in life that unfortunately came at a cost.

“A few years back my aunt got sick and as I spent time with her at the hospital, I realized I wanted to become a nurse. Watching the nurses, they were so caring to my aunt and my entire family. Even though my aunt didn’t make it – I wanted to do this for her, and I want to take care of my family. That moment made me realize that I wanted to make a difference.”

Ludee will begin her university studies in September with her costs covered by the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation.

Megan Wong is halfway home when it comes to her degree but as she admits sometimes ‘life’ can get in the way. Ready to step away from her studies the Boys & Girls Clubs Fraserview let her know of the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation scholarship program and after sending in a heartfelt application became a finalist and eventually a recipient of enough funding to continue her education.

“When I was writing the letter, it was actually really difficult. I didn’t think it was going to be as difficult as it was because I don’t really like to talk about things but I knew I wanted to make it as true and as accurate as I could,” said Megan who admitted it took her about ten tries to feel ready to send the letter off to the selection committee.

Weeks later, Megan was summoned to her Boys & Girls Club for a meeting not realizing what was about to be shared with her but once she received the news – the weight of the world felt as if it had been lifted from her shoulders.

“I was ecstatic, and it was amazing. I could tell how much it meant to both of us and it was just so special to realize that there are people here to support me and believe in me even when those times come along when I don’t believe in myself. I can finish what I started now.”

About the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Scholarship Program:

Created in 2018, Vancouver Canadians co-owner Jeff Mooney and his wife Suzanne Bolton generously donated $75,000 dollars toward funding for up to five (5) recipients. The goal was to provide up to $15,000 per scholarship winner to help them achieve their post-secondary dreams while also supporting them within their communities. Last year Jeff and Suzanne increased their donation to $100,000 to provide even more assistance.

Teens in Grades 11 and 12 can apply through their local Boys & Girls Club and are vetted by a selection committee that includes Vancouver Canadians staff, Boys & Girls Clubs staff and a handful of external members including the donor of the scholarship Suzanne Bolton. The applicant must show a willingness both to attend a post-secondary institution as well as commit to bettering their community through volunteer services or a program benefitting local youth.

More than a dozen students have been able to begin and/or continue their post-secondary education thanks to this program.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Chiefs Scholarship Applications Open

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

PEORIA, IL – The Peoria Chiefs, in conjunction with the Community Foundation of Central Illinois, have announced that applications are now open for two available scholarships in the 2020 Peoria Chiefs Scholarship Fund, a component fund of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois. This year the college scholarships awarded will both be for $2000 and eligible students can apply through the scholarships tab at www.communityfoundationci.org with a deadline of March 4.

     Again this year, two scholarships will be awarded for the 2020 Fall Academic Year with students in District 150 and the Tri-County area eligible to be selected. The District 150 scholarship will focus on assisting students with financial need to excel in their higher education while allowing them to pursue any academic field they are passionate about. The Tri-County area scholarship will focus on assisting students who are pursuing degrees in athletic areas such as Sports Management, Marketing, Communications, and more. The Peoria Chiefs Scholarship Fund was established in 2017 and seven scholarships have been awarded over the first three years

The Chiefs have raised money for the Scholarship Fund over the last three seasons through mystery ball auctions and sales plus tennis ball tosses and jersey auctions. Fans who want to make a donation to the Peoria Chiefs Scholarship Fund can make donations directly to the fund by sending a check to Community Foundation of Central Illinois, with a memo to the Peoria Chiefs Scholarship Fund. The address is 3625 North Sheridan Road Peoria, IL 61604.

About CFCI

The CFCI was established in 1985 by a group of community-minded citizens to meet a wide variety of social, cultural, education, and other charitable needs throughout central Illinois. CFCI carries out its mission by working with donors to establish permanent endowment funds to be used as charitable capital for enhancing the quality of life in the central Illinois Community. CFCI maintains high professional standards in the investment and management of the funds entrusted to the CFCI and promotes effective and efficient grant making to serve current and future needs of central Illinois. For more information, please visit www.communityfoundationci.org.

Chiefs Season & Group Tickets

      Season ticket packages and group tickets for the 2020 season are currently on sale by calling 309-680-4000. The 2020 season kicks off April 9 in Davenport, Iowa with the home opener against the Beloit Snappers set for Monday, April 13 at 6:35 p.m. Individual game tickets will go on sale in early March. Fans can keep up with all Chiefs news during the offseason online at www.peoriachiefs.com and on twitter or instagram: @PeoriaChiefs.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.