MEDIA
INFORMATION
April 10, 2009
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CENTENNIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
For the sixth
year, the Indiana High School Athletic Association, in partnership with
Methodist Sports Medicine – The Orthopedic Specialists and Taco Bell, is proud
to recognize 12 seniors to be honored with the 2009 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.
This year’s honorees, listed in alphabetical order, include: Tamara
Barrett, Marion; Bridget Callahan, Pike; Travis Carlile, Evansville North; Griffin Corn,
Daleville; Thomas Dunn III, Jay County; Erin Gavelek, Lowell; Andrew Miller, South Ripley; Erica Ridderman,
Warsaw; Andrew Ritter, Evansville Mater Dei; Darius Sawyers, Indianapolis Manual; Erin Wilson, North Daviess and; Eric Zeltwanger,
Bremen.
The recipients will be honored during the Thomas A. Brady Sports
Achievement Awards Dinner on Tuesday, April 14, at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in
Indianapolis.
Each student had to meet certain
criteria to qualify including: 1) be enrolled and participating in
interscholastic athletics at an IHSAA member school during the 2008-09 school
year; 2) be a senior at an IHSAA member school who will graduate during the
2008-09 school year; 3) win a varsity letter as an athlete in at least one of
the 20 IHSAA sanctioned athletic programs; 4) be nominated by the school’s
principal; 5) carry a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00
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/she has made a commitment to
remain substance free throughout high school.
A panel of
four individuals, through much time and effort, decided upon the deserving
students. That panel consisted of: Dr. Mark DeCarlo,
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 and; Blake Ress, Commissioner, Indiana
High School Athletic Association.
The program originated in 2004 as part of the Association’s 100th
year of service to its member schools. To date, the IHSAA has recognized 65
outstanding student-athletes with scholarships totaling $162,500.
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Marion “Sportsmanship entails having the
ability to merit your opponents for their successes even at times when you
have not yet recovered from your own defeat.
Losing is difficult, but I always admire my opponents and congratulate
them regardless of the game’s outcome.” Tamara Barrett of Marion is a four year letter
winner in both soccer and tennis and served as captain of the tennis team her
final two seasons. She carries a 4.5 GPA
and holds office positions in many school organizations, among them, Senior
Officer of Student Ambassadors, school representative in the Mayor’s Youth
Council, and Committee Leader of the Student Senate. She is a member of the National Honor
Society as well as the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, and the National
Art Society. She has used her artistic
talent in her community by participating in the Marion Public Library mural
painting for two years. She is the
daughter of Robyn Barrett Seavers. |
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Pike “Cheating, boasting, and pouting
takes away from the excitement that causes community interest in high school
sports. Though everyone enjoys watching a spirited competition, the spirit of
the game should never be compromised. The spirit of the game is, above all,
for everyone to work hard and have fun.” Scholar
athlete Bridget Callahan has
excelled in both soccer and tennis during her career at Pike. The National Honor Society member has
earned a 4.4 GPA and has participated in Model United Nations Indianapolis, Business
Professionals of America, and Ambassadors for Children to name a few. She is an active member in Red Cross Youth
Initiatives and Educational Outreach program, and is a youth board member for
Red Cross. Bridget is the daughter of
Christopher and Tamara Callahan. |
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Evansville North “I feel that my athletic
experiences will have a tremendous impact on my future. I have learned how to fight through the
pain of injuries and still perform my duties, how to positively interact with
many diverse ethnic groups, and how to creatively deal with the fact that you
might not always be the person placed into the leadership role.” Evansville
North’s Travis Carlile
is a four year varsity letter winner in football and wrestling and has also
earned three varsity letters in track and field. The 4.0 valedictorian and class president
is a member of the National Honor Society, Class council, and Health Occupations
Students of America (HOSA) with which he holds numerous leadership positions
including chapter president. In his
community, Travis volunteers as the chairperson of Autism Speaks golf
fundraiser, and Young Life as a Wyld Life leader
mentoring young adults. Travis is the
son of Steve Carlile. |
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Daleville “Through my participation in
athletics I have come to appreciate the talents and abilities of others and
the work they have done to attain those skills. Just as importantly, I have learned how I
can work to acquire those same abilities and how capable I am of
accomplishing anything. Athletic
participation has erased my limitations.” A four time
letter winner in baseball, cross country, and wrestling, Daleville’s Griffin Corn excels in the classroom
and in his community. The National
Honor Society member carries a 4.0 GPA and is valedictorian of his
class. He is captain of the Academic
Super Bowl English team and placed fourth in the state his junior year. He also participated in the Academic Math
and Spell Bowl. Griffin is a member of
the Indiana State SADD Student Leadership Council, Governor’s Youth Advisory
Council, and regularly volunteers with the Muncie Community YMCA. He is the son of Andrew and Kip Corn. |
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Jay County “Graciousness in winning and
losing conveys courage, inner strength, and pride. It is a positive reflection of one’s self,
family, school, and community. Good
sportsmanship in interschool athletics demonstrates victory gained through
integrity, no matter the final score.” Thomas Dunn III (Trey) has excelled in soccer, baseball,
and basketball at Jay County. The three
sport team captain and valedictorian has earned a
4.05 GPA. He is a member of the
Student Government and Drama Club Productions at Jay County and is also a
member of the IHSAA Student Advisory Board. Trey has completed over 450 hours
of community service and continues to add to that total through volunteering
with the Helping Hand Food Bank, United Way and several community youth
sports leagues. He is also the Founder
and coordinator of the community “Trick or Treat for the Food Bank”
program. He is the son of Dr. Thomas
II and Rita Dunn. |
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Lowell “I want my success in the future
to reflect, and surpass, the success I have had with athletics. Without my athletic background, I know that
I would not have the tenacity and confidence that I have now. These attributes are the reason I know that
I will accomplish my goals in the future.” Erin Gavelek of Lowell has participated in
basketball, track and field, and is a four time letter winner in soccer. She is ranked fifth in her class and holds
a 4.15 GPA. Erin is treasurer of the
Lettermen’s Club, National Honor Society President, and recipient of the
Award of Excellence from the Indiana University Honors Foreign Language
program. She has volunteered for the
Angel Tree Program and as a youth soccer coach for four years. She has also
been a volunteer youth basketball camp assistant and captain of her club
soccer team. Erin is the daughter of
Frank and Kim Gavalek. |
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South Ripley “Playing sports has taught me if
you work hard you will succeed. It has
also taught me responsibility, discipline, team work, and how to be a
leader. All of these skills are ones
that I will put in use in my future endeavors.” Andrew Miller has shined in baseball,
basketball, cross country, and track and field at South Ripley. He is ranked number one in his class and
carries a 4.15 GPA. Andrew is a member
of the National Honor Society, treasurer of the FFA Chapter, Hoosier Boy’s
State Delegate and cross country team captain to name a few. He was also chosen as a
IHSAA & Tobacco Cessation Athlete Role Model. Andrew is very active in his community and
his parish. He helps out regularly at
St. John’s Catholic Church as an alter server, greeter, and collection
receiver. He also partakes in the St.
John’s Youth Group community outreach activities. Andrew is the son of Ron and Lana Miller. |
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Warsaw “If I give my best efforts and
display my best attitude I will be happy, no matter the results, but I won’t
let previous accomplishments get in the way of improvement. The same is true for my life in the
future. I know that competitive
athletics will come to an end and that I will eventually become a
contributing member of society as an adult, but I will never lose the
determination that cross country taught me.
Once I stop striving to get better, life will lose much of its
meaning.” Warsaw’s Erica Ridderman
is a four-year varsity letter winner in cross country and track and
field. Erica was this year’s IHSAA
Mental Attitude Award winner in the sport of cross country as well as a four
year MVP. She is valedictorian of her
class and has a 13.57 GPA on a 12.0 scale.
Erica scored third at Nationals for Business Professional of America,
is a member of SADD, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She regularly takes mission trips with her
church, and volunteers year round. She
also plays guitar in the Youth Praise Band.
Erica is the daughter of Rich and Karen Ridderman. |
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Evansville Mater Dei “Through my participation in
athletics, I have also learned how to lead others. While participating in athletics, I met
great leaders who led through serving others.
They worked not only to help themselves; they served others to further
everyone. By witnessing this example,
I have learned how to lead within society.
From athletics, I have learned to serve others to improve society for
everyone.” Four year
varsity swimmer Andrew Ritter has
achieved a 4.0 GPA during his career at Evansville Mater Dei. The valedictorian and National Honor Society
president also participated in tennis and track and field. He is a four year member and senior captain
of the Supermileage team where he has earned
several honors and awards including; three year SAE National Champion and
IMSTEA State Champion, Eco-Marathon America’s champion, and North American
Fuel Efficiency record holder. Andrew
is an active Boy Scout and currently serves as Junior Assistant Scout
Master. He is a member of the Youth
Resources Teen Advisory Council, volunteers with United Way and his parish,
St. Philip. Andrew is the son of Mary
Ritter. |
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Indianapolis Manual “Sportsmanship matters not only in
sports, but also in everyday existence.
In any competition, whether a job interview, a school science fair, or
even a friendly game of cards with some friends, sportsmanship teaches you to
win humbly and lose gracefully.” Darius Sawyers of Indianapolis Manual is a four
year varsity letter winner in football, track and field, and wrestling. He earned all conference honors in
wrestling two years and was also named Circle City Classic student athlete.
The salutatorian of his class and president of the Leadership Club carries a
3.9 GPA. He is a member of Willing 2
Wait and AmeriCorps. In his community,
Darius volunteers with Kids with a Mission, Hope Today Ministries, and
Brother 2 Brother. Darius is the son
of David Sawyers. |
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North Daviess “Participation in sports has
helped me to understand that even though there are times that you would like
to put yourself first, you must display altruistic behavior and help the
group as a whole. A group that helps
each other reach their team goals is more likely to succeed than a group with
individual driven goals.” North
Daviess’ Erin Wilson is a four-year
varsity letter winner of the Cougars basketball, cross country, and softball teams. With a 3.99 GPA, the valedictorian is the
president of the Science Club, BETA Club secretary, member of the Student Council,
Spanish Club, and Science Olympiad.
Erin was also named an IHSAA Role Model for her school. Erin is involved with her community as
President of her 4-H Club and President of Junior Leaders. She has earned the 4-H Community Service
Award and the 4-H Achievement Award through her service. She also volunteers her time as a
basketball coach at Simon J. Graber Complex.
Erin is the daughter of John and Kathy Wilson. |
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Bremen “The experiences that I have
encountered through high school athletics will stay with me forever. However; there is a movement beyond the
immediate memories created. The people
I have met, the lessons I have learned, and the work ethic, dedication, and
desire I have developed all will be key to my future.” Eric Zeltwanger has excelled in baseball, basketball,
and football during his career at Bremen and was named team captain in all
three sports. The valedictorian holds
an 11.72 GPA on a 12.0 scale. He is
National Honor Society President, DECA National qualifier, and member of the
Lion’s choir and swing choir. He is
the school coordinator of the Marshall County teen court and HOBY Leadership
representative. He gives back to his
community through charity work by volunteering with Hope Rescue, Project
Help, and Adopt-A-Friend. He has also
taken mission trips to the Dominican Republic. Eric is the son of Ron and Lana Zeltwanger. |
IHSAA
08-09/32