14 girls receive scholarships at Softball Showcase
Salina, Kansas – Sunflower Bank and the American Fastpitch Association (AFA) awarded college scholarships to 14 senior girls at the Sunflower Bank Softball Showcase Kick-Off Banquet on Friday, August 4.
Based on an essay contest in conjunction with the showcase, Alex Bertone of Osawatamie, Kan., and Savannah Hall of Salina, Kan., each received a grand-prize $500 scholarship to the eventual college of their choice.
In addition to the two $500 recipients, AFA also awarded 10 $200 scholarships to runners-up in the essay contest: Adelaide Quaney (Hayden, Kan.), Chelsey Raines (Leavenworth, Kan.), Amber Dasher (Topeka, Kan.), Jaclyn Johnson (Shell Knob, Mo.), Tori Nuzum (Ingalls, Kan.), Heather Fritz (Salina, Kan.), Lauren Rorebeck (Goddard, Kan.), Courtney Simanowitz (Leavenworth, Kan.), Jessica Arpin (Salina , Kan.), and Kim Campbell (Salina, Kan.). All tolled, AFA awarded $3000 in total scholarship monies at the eighth annual Softball Showcase.
“These scholarships are a testament to the work ethic and talent of the players,” said Ed Kimminau, director of the Kansas AFA. “It’s a treat to meet and work with all of these players, and we’re extremely proud of not only the winners, but all players in attendance.”
AFA and Sunflower Bank selected two grand-prize scholarship winners and runners-up from a pool of 75 essay entries, submitted by choice upon entry into the Showcase in July. Each girl was given the opportunity to explain what role softball plays in their current life and in their future goals.
Nearly 170 girls attended Sunflower Bank’s Softball Showcase, sanctioned by the Kansas AFA. The showcase continues to be a one-of-a-kind event – a chance for players to perform in front of nearly 30 college coaches in hopes of earning a scholarship. After a busy summer of traveling tournaments, the Showcase exists as a chance for players to test themselves against incoming seniors from all over the state – with teaching and improving as the focus, not simply competing against other teams.
“Sunflower Bank is focused on bringing out the best in others,” said Phyllis Pickel, Sunflower Bank’s EVP-marketing. “The Sunflower Showcase certainly fulfills this mission for these young athletes and assists each of them as they pursue the possibility of playing collegiate softball.”
