Hughesville High School seniors, (left to right) are Kyle Bomboy, Hannah Merrifield, and Steven Saladino. They received scholarships from the Carl E. Stotz Little League Scholarship Award. Merrifield received $2,000 and the other two received $500 each.

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT The East Lycoming area was well represented when Little League honored local students for their strong academics and citizenship. Character, courage and loyalty were the words expressed by founder, Carl E. Stotz in 1939. These words are still found on the Little League Baseball and Softball insignia, and they are also the basis for the Carl E. Stotz Little League Baseball Scholarship. This year’s winners for the $2,000 scholarship were Hannah Merrifield from Hughesville High School and Daniel Ma from Williamsport High School.

President and Chief Executive Officer, Stephen D. Keener introduced each student who were chosen among 60 to 70 applications. “Each year we choose 5 females and 5 males, and so far we have given out $125,000 in scholarship assistance.” The chosen names remain anonymous until the luncheon which took place at the Little League Complex on Wednesday, May 15 at noon.

Other outstanding recipients in the area also included Kyle Bombay and Steven Saladino from Hughesville High School and Charity Good from Muncy High School. Each of them received a $500 scholarship. These seniors were also in the top 25 percent of their class and will be attending higher education. Merrifield said she will be attending Gannon University and majoring in Psychiatry. “Everyone in the community has been extremely supportive of me,” she said after she accepted the honor.

For those serving on the committee choosing the students, many expressed that this was a difficult task, as there were so many outstanding young people. “It’s a very hard job,” remarked Davie Jane Gilmour, President of Penn College, “as they are all so good.” Gilmour also serves as the first female on the Board of Directors for Little League, Inc.

“For the past 20 years, this has been one of the most special events and honors to take place at Little League International,” Stephen D. Keener announced. “When Mr. Stotz founded Little League, he set out to improve the lives of area youths. There is not a better way to remember Mr. Stotz than through these scholarships, which showcase some of the best and brightest young men and women that call Lycoming County home. We are happy to honor these students and remember the legacy of Carl Stotz.” Keener concluded by saying, “I am always impressed what I see from these young people. We are in good hands.”

Charity Good from Muncy High School received a $500 scholarship at Little League last Thursday.

Applications for the scholarship are generally accepted between December and March.