Little League Honors Top local Seniors with Scholarship

2012 Carl E. Stotz Little League Baseball Scholarship Recipients are left to right: Alexander Bellott (Loyalsock Township High School); Maria Cioffi (South Williamsport High School); Rachel Cummings (Jersey Shore High School); John Goetz (Montgomery High School); Colton Henry (Jersey Shore High School); Jillian Jackson (South Williamsport High School); Aleksander Keller (South Williamsport High School); Gregory Kist (St. John Neumann Regional Academy); Sophia Reeder (Muncy High School); and Lindsey Stopper (Loyalsock Township High School)
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT This year, at the annual luncheon on Wednesday, May 16, ten seniors from Lycoming County School Districts received the Carl E. Stotz Little League Baseball Scholarship.
These young scholars s exemplify the same ideals as the founder of the world’s largest organized youth sports program: good citizenship, hard work, character, courage and loyalty.
Mr. Stotz’s vision was of a game played by children that would help build and shape those who played it into productive adults. This is the 19th year of the scholarship program, established by the Little League International Board of Directors, which rewards academic excellence and citizenship with financial assistance for their higher education.
Sophia Reeder from Muncy and John Goetz from Montgomery were the two local recipients. Sophia Reeder received $2,000. She was chosen along with Aleksander Keller from South Williamsport from ten finalists. Miss Reeder will be attending Bucknell University.
Goetz received a $500 scholarship.
Including this year’s recipients, more than $116,000 has been awarded to 140 Lycoming County students since the inception of the scholarship program. Each of the recipients was honored at the annual luncheon held today at Little League International in South Williamsport, Pa.
Scholarships totaling $8,000 are awarded each year to five male and five female high school seniors. The scholarships perpetuate the memory of Little League’s founder, recognizing his commitment to the development of youth in the county.
All graduating seniors in the top 25 percent of their class at the nine Lycoming County high schools, who have demonstrated good citizenship and whose spirit exemplifies effort, determination and persistence in attaining the goal of higher education, are eligible to apply. Each interested senior submits two letters of recommendation and an essay on what they hope to achieve through higher education.
“This is a special annual event we look forward to because it gives us a chance to acknowledge the efforts of some of the top seniors in Lycoming County and help them make the next step in their life,” Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, said. “Each of the young adults we recognized today possesses the traits and has the same vision Carl Stotz had when laying the foundation for Little League. We recognize the same selflessness, determination and inspiration that Mr. Stotz lived his life by with the presentation of these scholarships.”
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