PHOTO BY BARB BARRETT/The Luminary The 2015 Little League Baseball Scholarship winners for the tri-town area are (left to right): Ellen Hill, Montgomery High School; Emily Winder, Montgomery High School; Derek Sellers, Muncy High School; and Benjamin Nesselrodt, Hughesville High School.

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT – Every year since 1994 Little League has recognized the outstanding work of local seniors and have presented them with scholarships for their achievements.

This year 4 students from Hughesville, Montgomery and Muncy were among ten students who received a total of $13,000 in scholarship funds at their annual luncheon held Wednesday, May 20 at the Little League’s Dr. Creighton J. Hale International Grove Dining Hall.

Ben Nesselrodt from Hughesville High School was the top male scholar and received a $2,500 scholarship. Sydney Blosser from S. Williamsport was the top female recipient, and both were chosen from 56 applicants. Nesselrodt will be attending Dartmouth College to further his education. He complimented his peers and pointed out his enthusiasm for his role in the play, Damn Yankees that won Ray of Lights awards. He also mentioned his essay that he submitted and received a total of 800 points. All essays are read by the selection committee without knowing who wrote them.

Stephen Keener, Little League president, said that it is always a difficult task trying to narrow the essays down to the top 5. “We keep this as unbiased as possible,” he said. The winning essays are based on the highest number of points. “Sometimes only a point or two makes a big difference. It is always a difficult decision to make for the top student award. All ten are outstanding and deserving.”

Other local seniors who accepted a $1,000 scholarship were Derek Sellers from Muncy, Ellen Hill and Emily Winder from Montgomery High School. Derek will be majoring in chemical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh.

The scholarships are awarded to perpetuate the memory of Little League’s founder, Carl E. Stotz, who was committed to the development of youth in Lycoming County. In order to be considered, a graduating senior must be in the top 25 percent of his or her class, excelling in academics and citizenship. Applications are generally accepted between December and March.