On Thursday May 9 the Athletic Scholarship Award Ceremony occurred. To lead off Jim Ballou, a SMN Sports Scholarship Foundation Board member, welcomed everybody to the ceremony.

MC Brad Fanning then took over with a speech of his own.

“By the way you will not all be bald like some people in this room,” Fanning joked with the group of about 100 people gathered in the Little Theatre.

Fanning then introduced the guest speaker, seminar speaker for Visionary Impact Ron Freeman.

“Yes, you will be bald like some people in this room,” Freeman said after the introduction.

Freeman then gave a motivational speech about the coaches and the award finalists.

“Your coaches prepared you for the future,” Freeman said. “You just have to dare to dream to do what you want to do.”

Freeman then went into the conclusion of his speech.

“There are three D’s that I follow,” Freeman explained. “They are desire, discipline and dedication.”

After Freeman finished, Fanning called up the award recipients with Balllou finishing off the ceremony.

“The Bernadette Wagner and Merlin Gish Scholar Athlete of the Year Scholarship goes to Jason Foster,” Fanning announced near the conclusion of the ceremony.

Recipients of the scholarships ($500 or $1,000 scholarship)

Bill Cornwell Basketball Scholarship: Nick Finazzo

Bob Stauffer Track Scholarship: Nick White

Don Alpaugh Wrestling Scholarship: Armando Contreras

Tom Coker Tennis Scholarship: Gretchen Burnett

Jim Hanson Baseball Scholarship: Joel Steelman

Larry Taylor Football Scholarship: Will Carter

Athletic Director George Sallas described the real meaning of the ceremony.

“The money given to these deserving student athletes was donated by former student athletes that want these coaches honored and remembered,” Sallas said.