Speakers at Sunday's Fayette County Student/Athlete Scholarship Program banquet quoted legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi, and Roman philosopher and politician Seneca in saluting the achievements of 14 of the county's top student/athletes.
Jim Davis, of Davis and Davis, Attorneys at Law, didn't attempt to wax as poetic as Lombardi or Seneca often did, but his simple message wound up just as profound.
"I don't have any great words of wisdom to offer you other than to keep doing what you're doing," Davis told a banquet room full of outstanding student/athletes at the Historic Summit Inn.
Sunday's gathering marked the 14th consecutive year the top male and female student/athletes from each of Fayette County's seven high schools were honored.
The program, sponsored by Davis and Davis, in conjunction with the Herald-Standard, is a showcase of the best and brightest graduating seniors, who for the past four years have achieved success in the classroom and on the playing field.
"To honor an athlete is important," said attorney Samuel Davis. "To honor a student is more important. To honor a combination of both is the ultimate for us."
Each of the honorees was awarded a $500 scholarship, to be used toward their college education. They were:
Albert Gallatin - Marquis Demniak, daughter of Mark and Cindy Demniak; Eugene Franks IV, son of Gene and Carla Franks.
Brownsville - Lisa Fraley, daughter of Robin and Karen Fraley; Patrick Onesko, son of George and Kimberly Onesko.
Connellsville - Mary Beth Giles, daughter of Corey and Elizabeth Giles; Jonathan Luczka, son of Phillip and Deborah Luczka.
Frazier - Marissa Pasquale, daughter of Mark and Bonnie Pasquale; James Traynor, son of James and Mary Traynor.
Geibel Catholic - Chelsey Kreinbrook, daughter of Douglas and Kathy Kreinbrook; Robert Orange, son of John and Lori Orange.
Laurel Highlands - Jackie Gaddis, daughter of John and Nancy Gaddis; Ryan Thorn, son of Mary Ellen Thorn of Uniontown and Bob Thorn of Brownsville.
Uniontown - Devan Grote, daughter of Gilbert and Donna Grote; William DelSignore III, son of William and Brenda DelSignore.
Samuel Davis borrowed from a Seneca quote when he addressed the room full of scholarship recipients, who were surrounded by their families and friends.
"There is no such thing as luck," Davis said. "Luck happens when opportunity meets preparation."
Each of the honorees took advantage of their opportunities throughout high school, both on the playing field and in the classroom. On Sunday, they were presented with their scholarship before thanking family, friends and coaches who have helped shape their lives.
Various coaches then took turns honoring the awardees.
Benjamin Onesko did the honor for his younger brother, Patrick.
"I can't put into words how proud I am of him," Benjamin Onesko said. "I knew early on how special of a kid he was."
Benjamin Onesko then offered the other scholarship winners a piece of advice.
"You hall have the potential to do great things. Don't let anything stand in your way."
Uniontown football coach John Fortugna spoke about DelSignore after he was presented with his scholarship, and perhaps paid him the ultimate compliment.
"Over the years, I've coached a lot of people," Fortugna said. "I've never been around a kid like him. He's a fantastic young man. I don't say this very often, but if I ever had a son, I'd want him to be just like this young man."
Geibel soccer coach Rich Askin honored Orange, but not before talking about times have changed.
"Student/athletes today are unique," Askin said. "Some of us, when we were in high school, just hoped to finish in the upper half of our class. Hoped!"Labels: career training.news, education online, financial aid, high school, scholarship, study abroad |
