MEDIA
INFORMATION
April 9, 2008
Contact: Jason Wille, Sports Information Director
E–Mail: jwille@ihsaa.org
|
|
|
|
|
IHSAA
NAMES 2008 CENTENNIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS
Thirteen
outstanding Indiana high school student-athletes have been selected as
recipients of this year’s IHSAA Centennial Scholarships.
Each
individual, believed to embody everything that is right about high school
sports, will receive a $2,500 scholarship for their prep accomplishments. All
applicants are expected to be well-rounded, positive role models who have
demonstrated excellence in academics, school and community involvement,
character, sportsmanship and citizenship.
The
recipients will be honored during the Thomas A. Brady Sports Achievement Awards
Dinner on Tuesday, April 15, at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis.
This
year’s honorees, listed in alphabetical order, include: Alexandra
Banfich, Culver Academies; Nicholas Buesking, Northwestern; Jonathan
Childress, Eastern Greene; Maya Espada, North Central
(Indianapolis); Daniel Frascella, Carmel; Elizabeth Heuss,
Covenant Christian (Indianapolis); Bonnie Kaminsky, Muncie Burris; Kreigh
Kamman, South Bend Clay; Anne Lehman, South Adams; Micah Raebel,
Kankakee Valley; Abbey Schmahl, South Dearborn; Patrick Stropes,
Pike; Katie Zupancic, Indianapolis Cathedral.
The
IHSAA partnered with Methodist Sports Medicine, Jostens, Taco Bell and Pacers
Sports and Entertainment in sponsoring the program, now in its fifth year after
it originated as part of the Association’s 100th year of
service to its member schools. To date, the IHSAA has recognized 53 outstanding
student-athletes with scholarships totaling $132,500.
Each student had to meet
certain criteria to qualify including: 1) be enrolled and participate in
interscholastic athletics at an IHSAA member school; 2) be a senior who will graduate
this school year; 3) win a varsity letter in one of the 20 IHSAA- sanctioned
sports; 4) be nominated by his or her principal; 5) carry a minimum cumulative
grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent; 6) have no
violations of the school’s athletic code of conduct; 7) must not have
been ejected from any IHSAA contest due to unsportsmanlike behavior and; 8)
verify that he or she has made a commitment to remain substance-free throughout
high school.
One hundred ninety-nine
applications were submitted for the scholarships and a panel of five
individuals, through much time and effort, decided upon the deserving students.
That panel consisted of: Dr. Mark De Carlo, Vice President of Clinical
Services, Methodist Sports Medicine; Bob Kanaby, Executive Director, National
Federation of State High School Associations; Patty Poehler, Senior Vice
President, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance; Dr. Suellen Reed, Superintendent,
Indiana Department of Education and; Blake Ress, Commissioner, Indiana High School
Athletic Association.
|
Culver Academies “Respect for
each other breeds respect for the sport, thus resulting in
sportsmanship. Sportsmanship involves
competing with fairness, showing grace in losing, accepting wins humbly, appreciating
opponents, and perhaps most importantly, respect. Because sports are like a microcosm of life
in general, all of these expectations of sportsmanship in competition
translate over into ‘real life’.” A three-time state
champion in both track and field and cross country, Banfich excels in the
classroom and in her community. The
National Honor Society member has achieved a cumulative 3.8 GPA throughout
her four years. She has served as head
of the Senior Advisory Board, is a member of the French Honor Society, and
has been a staff writer for the school newspaper for three years. Banfich’s community activities
include her involvement as a peer tutor, a member of the Community Service
Council, and an integral role in the Leadership Committee for Africa. This past fall, she was presented the
Mental Attitude Award at the Girls Cross Country State Finals by members of
the IHSAA Executive Committee following her third consecutive state
championship in the sport. She is the daughter of Marilyn and Peter Banfich
of Plymouth. |
|
Northwestern HS “The
discipline I have learned from athletics will have an impact on my
future. Sports have also shown me that
I need to work hard in order to accomplish my goals. This type of discipline will help me strive
for excellence both in college and in a future job.” Buesking is a four-year
member of the soccer and wrestling teams.
He carries a 4.6 GPA and has been involved in many school activities,
among them, the Art Club, Debate Club, and National Honor Society. He placed first in the Ball State Regional
Science Fair and also took home a blue ribbon at the Indiana Junior Academy
of Science. Buesking has volunteered
his time as an elementary school wrestling coach and with the youth group at
this local church. This year, Buesking
was named President of Rotary Interact. He is the son of Paul Buesking of
Kokomo. |
|
Eastern Greene HS “My career as a
high school student-athlete has greatly prepared me for life in college and
as an adult. While participating in
sports, I have learned how to balance necessities and desires. Sacrifices must be made. By applying my experiences in high school
sports, a satisfying future awaits.” Childress has excelled in
both football and baseball during his career at Eastern Greene. The National Honor Society member owns a
3.99 GPA and has participated in the Academic Quiz Bowl, Marching Band and
Pep Band. He was the Greene-Sullivan
Quiz Bowl Tournament Champion in 2005 and 2007. Childress has been actively involved in his
church youth group for four years, and has also been a part of the church
worship band, Boy Scouts, and Special Olympics. When not busy with athletics, academics,
and community outreach, Childress works as a private tutor. He is the son of Ron Childress of
Bloomfield. |
|
North Central HS (Indianapolis) “Sportsmanship
allows the athlete to have pride in his or her team while simultaneously
respecting the opposing team.
Displaying sportsmanship on and off the court, field, or track allows
those who support the team to not only be proud of the team’s
achievements during the game, but also be proud of the athletes as
people.” Espada is a four-year
member of the Panthers volleyball team and was named captain her senior year.
She is a member of the National Honor Society, as well as both the French and
Spanish honor societies. Maya has earned a 5.2 GPA, was named Academic
All-Conference and All-State, AP Scholar with Distinction, and was the
recipient of the Service and Pride Award. She is the co-chair of the
International Baccalaureate Society and founder of Expand Your Buds Cultural
Club. Maya has spent time tutoring students learning English as a second
language and helping out with Habitat for Humanity. She was named to the
“Who’s Who Among High School Students” list, and assisted in
research for possible treatments for the rare autosomal disorder Fanconi
Anemia during the summer of 2006 at the Indiana University Cancer Research
Center. Maya is the daughter of Jose
and Angela Espada of Indianapolis. |
|
Carmel HS “Throughout my
high school career, I have become increasingly involved in my school and
community. I attribute much of this
productivity to my experiences with sports and the lessons and values learned
from my coaches. Sports have taught me
the value of hard work and working as part of a team, which have contributed
to my personal growth as a member of the community.” A four-year varsity
wrestler, Frascella has achieved a 4.4 GPA during his career at Carmel. The Student Body President is also a member
of the National Honor Society, the Indiana Association of Students of German,
Delta Epsilon Phi German Honor Society, and was named as a |
|
Covenant Christian HS (Indianapolis) “Although some
view a sport as ‘just a game’, my athletic participation has been
a key component in my development of certain skills that help me to be a
productive member of society.
Athletics have taught me the value of teamwork and the importance of
cooperating with others to achieve a goal, a skill that never ceases to be
essential in every aspect of a society.” Heuss has excelled in
basketball, soccer, and track and field at Covenant Christian. The National Honor Society President holds
a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the Student Council and Civics Club. She volunteers at the Central Indiana
Crisis Pregnancy Center and Mission Indy, and has been a part of youth group
activities at her church throughout her high school career. Elizabeth has also been a part of several
out-of-state mission trips. She is the
daughter of Matthew and Judy Heuss of Indianapolis. |
|
Muncie Burris HS “Because
athletics have been so prevalent in my life, I have never had the inclination
to resort to the destructive behaviors that afflict so many youth in
today’s society. Participation
in athletics has coincided with my personal desire to maintain academic
excellence and my reputation as a hard working, focused individual.” Kaminsky is a four-year
varsity letter winner in volleyball and track and field. In volleyball, she has been a part of a
state championship team in each of her four years and was named the winner of
the Mental Attitude Award by the IHSAA Executive Committee following this
year’s state finals. Kaminsky maintains a 4.0 GPA, is President of the
Student Council, and has been a member of the Fellowship of Christian
Athletes and Key Club during her time at Burris. She has also volunteered at
Ball Memorial Hospital, the Minnetrista Cultural Center, and the First
Presbyterian Church. She is the daughter of Mary and Lenny Kaminsky of
Muncie. |
|
South Bend Clay HS “Throughout my
athletic experiences, I have encountered numerous challenges. I’ve learned there are no shortcuts
in overcoming them; determination and perseverance are necessary to
succeed. Using determination and
perseverance to overcome challenges applies not only to athletics, but also
to my endeavors in school, family, and any future career I may choose to
pursue.” Kamman is a
four-year letter winner and captain in soccer and track and field. The 4.0 valedictorian is the Treasurer of
the National Honor Society, a member of the Academic Quiz Bowl and the Peer
Mentoring Activities Committee, and is the Class President. He is involved with his local youth group
at Clay United Methodist Church, and
has participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. He also has participated in Rotary
International and the Proclaimers Drama Outreach Group, which has performed
theatrically for a number of organizations, among them, Big Brothers and Big
Sisters of America. Kreigh is the son
of Kean and Jill Kamman of Granger. |
|
South Adams HS “In athletics,
I have been stretched socially. As I
leave high school, I will have a more open mind, and will be able to relate
to and work with others around me who may not have the same personality or
values. I am no longer limited to
working only with certain people; I am an adaptable person willing to team up
with others who are different than me.” Lehman has been a member
of the Starfires basketball, softball, and cross country teams. The National Honor Society Treasurer has a
4.0 GPA. She is a four-year member of the concert, jazz, marching, and pep
bands. Anne volunteers her time at the
First Mennonite Church Youth Group and works as a Sunday School helper for
children with special needs. Anne has
assisted with the South Adams Shooting Stars Basketball Program, and has been
employed by the Swiss Village Retirement Community for three years. She is the daughter of Scott and Greta
Lehman of Berne. |
|
Kankakee Valley HS “I know that my
future has been greatly impacted by my athletic experiences. I have learned how to cooperate with others
and stay patient through times of difficulty.
I have also learned to do things I do not want to do but that are
necessary for achievement and success of my future goals.” Raebel has participated in
baseball, basketball, soccer, and tennis for the Kankakee Valley
Kougars. The valedictorian of his
class carries a 4.63 GPA. He is the
President of the National Honor Society, Senior Class President, a member of
the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Kankakee Valley representative
for the IHSAA drug prevention program. Raebel has completed 100 hours of
community service through the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership group and
continues to add to that total through activities such as cleaning inner city
parks in Indianapolis and Washington D.C., Relay for Life, and numerous
events at Faith Lutheran Church. In
addition, Raebel works as a part-time organist for two churches in his
community. He is the son of Jared and
Cecilia Raebel of DeMotte. |
|
South Dearborn HS “Sportsmanship,
in a contest, is the respect given by a player to the opposing players,
officials, fans, coaches, and the game itself. The best rivalries are formed from two
schools that both respect each other and also want to show some form of
superiority over the other. That one
game can be victorious for the whole community, even if it only lasts a short
period of time. Sportsmanship has such
an impact on the way a game can be played; it is no wonder that a good game
always begins with respect for the other team and the environment surrounding
the game.” Schmahl has excelled in
basketball, soccer, and softball at South Dearborn. She is ranked first in
her senior class and carries a 4.10 GPA.
Abbey is Secretary of the Student Government, Treasurer of the
National Honor Society, and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian
Athletes, Science Club, and Knight Spirit Association. She has volunteered for the Aurora
Clearinghouse, Salvation Army, Ohio River Sweep, and Run-N-Gun, a basketball
tournament that raises money for scholarships. Abbey is the daughter of Kurt and April
Schmahl of Aurora. |
|
Pike HS “Athletics
have made me a less selfish person and made me realize that there are other
people in the world counting on me.
This has been shown to me through the efforts as a team. I am able to realize when I need to step
aside and let someone else take over, or adversely when I need to step up as
a leader and take charge. Playing for
a reason other than to win for myself is what puts my heart into the game and
allows me to play the best that I can.” Stropes is a four year
varsity tennis player for the Pike Red Devils. The salutatorian of his class
owns a 4.54 GPA. He is a member of the
National Honor Society, Hispanic National Honor Society, Key Club, and Sierra
Club. He has volunteered at food drives, the local soup kitchen, and at many
activities sponsored by the Key and Sierra Clubs. Patrick is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael
Stropes of Indianapolis. |
|
Indianapolis Cathedral HS “Ultimately, I
have discovered that the most important gains from athletics are not records,
medals, playing time or even the win-loss record…the biggest impact
athletics has had on me is learning how to integrate leadership qualities I
admire in my coaches into myself and how to interact with peers who are
working towards a common goal. Winning is a common goal but winning with
character and honor is certainly the pinnacle of success.” Zupancic is a four-year
soccer player and also competed in track and field as a freshman and
sophomore. After helping her school win the state championship in girls
soccer last fall, she was named the Mental Attitude Award recipient by
members of the IHSAA Executive Committee. She maintains a 4.4 GPA, is a
Presidential Scholar and was honored as the Top Scholar in Spanish I, Spanish
II and Theology. She has served as Class President as a sophomore and junior,
was a class officer her other two years and also has taken part in the Hugh
O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference the last two years. Zupancic has
volunteered her time in numerous fundraiser events both inside and outside
the school and is a co-founder of Geriaoke, an Indianapolis Colts event at
area nursing homes. She is the daughter of Tom and Carrie Zupancic of
Indianapolis. |
NEWS & NOTES FROM AROUND THE STATE
Have an interesting note?
A conference or school record, coaching milestone or something else of
interest? Please e-mail IHSAA Sports Information Director Jason Wille at jwille@ihsaa.org
for consideration.
Jennings County High School announced the retirement
of Athletic Director Steve Arnholt
effective June 30. Steve has served as
the athletic director at Jennings County High School for 20 years. Previously,
he served as athletic director at Edinburgh High School for 14 years.
Vincennes Lincoln boys
basketball coach, Steve Combs, has
turned in his letter of resignation. Combs was head coach for 10 years
and accumulated a 146-86 record. Combs will remain in the Vincennes Community
School Corporation as an Assistant Principal at Clark Middle School.
Crawfordsville baseball
coach John Froedge won his 500th
baseball game on Saturday, March 29, by defeating Western Hills (KY), 1-0, in
eight innings. Froedge is in his 27th season of coaching, all with
Crawfordsville.
Brian
Harbin has been named the new head
football coach at Franklin Central High School. Harbin comes to the Flashes
from Center Grove High School where he served as Assistant Head Coach/Defensive
Coordinator the last six years. Harbin is a graduate of Richmond High School
and Franklin College and played football at the high school and collegiate
levels. He replaces Lance Scheib at Franklin Central, who recently accepted the
head coaching position at Noblesville High School.
One of the oldest former
IHSAA state champions passed away on March 11. Willie Hart, 96, of Gary, was a three-time state champ from Gary
Froebel in the 220 yard dash winning in 1930, 1931 and 1932. He also won the
100 yard dash in 1932. He went on to attend Michigan State University and was
inducted into the Indiana Association of Track and Cross Country Hall of Fame
in 1977.
Lewis Cass boys basketball
coach Basil Mawbey announced that
he’s leaving the school after eight seasons and varsity boys basketball
coaching after 38 years. The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame coach hasn’t
ruled out coaching again some day but is certain it won’t happen next
season. Mawbey has accumulated a 645-246 record (.723) winning the 1983 state
championship at Connersville and the 2003 2A title at Cass. He also guided
Kokomo to two state finals appearances, including a state runner-up finish in
1989. He is one of six coaches to win a state title at two different schools.
Laurie Rhoades has been named head volleyball coach at Concord High School. Rhoades is a graduate of Ball State
University and is currently employed as a physical education teacher at Concord
East Side and Ox Bow Elementary Schools.
She has been an assistant volleyball coach at Concord since 2000. She has also served as a junior varsity girls
basketball coach and a junior varsity softball coach at various points in her
career at Concord. Rhoades has been a member of the Indiana Coaches of Girls
Sports Association since 1985, and currently serves on its executive board. Rhoades takes over for Jim Routhier, who
retired from coaching following the 2007 season.
IHSAA
07-08/35