CALLING ALL COMMUNICATIONS STUDENTS!

IBMA Now Accepting Applications for the 2013 Chuck Pezzano Scholarship

ARLINGTON, Texas - The International Bowling Media Association Chuck Pezzano Scholarship is awarded annually to worthy students who are high school seniors, vocational school seniors or current college students.

 Up to three (3) scholarships per year may be awarded based on the applicant's credentials. Any or all of the funds may or may not be distributed at the discretion of the committee. Individual awards may not exceed $1,500.00 and combined scholarships may not exceed $3,000.00 per year. In the event of ties, scholarship awards will be split. Winners will also receive a one-year complimentary student membership in IBMA.

 To be eligible, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Involved in the study of communications (any student who communicates with words or images). For example; writers, journalists, television, radio, web broadcasters and designers, public relations or publicity directors, graphic artists, copy writers, as well as photo journalists, illustrators and cartoonists
• Maintain a minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA or equivalent
• Participate in the sport of bowling, although bowling skills are NOT a requisite
• May not have exceeded their 25th birthday during the calendar year of the award
• Write a short, titled essay about the sport of bowling not to exceed 500 words
• Include at least one reference letter; no more than three
• Include a copy of your school transcript with the application

Applicants are encouraged to submit copies of any published work however, should NOT include stories, articles or press clippings that may have been written about them.

 Applications are available on the IBMA website at www.bowlingmedia.org.  Click on the Scholarships tab and download the application. Applicants should complete the form and return it, with all supporting documents, postmarked no later than May 15th, 2013. 

Applications may be emailed or Post mailed to:

Mary Lynly

403 Larkstone Court

Roseville, CA 95661

(916) 782-1321

lynlymary@surewest.net

The award is named in honor of Chuck Pezzano, Clifton, N.J. who is a member of the International Bowling Media Association, (formerly Bowling Writers Association of America), United States Bowling Congress and Professional Bowlers Association Halls of Fame.

Winners will be announced at the IBMA Annual Meeting & Convention during International Bowl Expo on June 25, 2013, at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev.

Click here for 2013 Pezzano Scholarship Application

PEZZANO SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED

 ARLINGTON, Texas - The Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) has awarded college scholarships to three great student bowlers.  Stephanie Sims, Garland, Texas was named first place winner and will receive $1,500; Blair Blumensheid, Columbus, Ohio, second place and $1,000; and Samantha Chong, San Jose, California will get $500 for third place.  The award is named in honor of BWAA, United States Bowling Congress and Professional Bowlers Association Hall of Fame journalist Chuck Pezzano of Clifton, NJ. In addition to the scholarships, each winner receives a one-year complimentary membership in the BWAA.
Sims graduated from Fair Hills School this year, number 2 in her graduating class, and is headed for Stephen F. Austin University in the fall where she will study Hospitality Administration, and be a member of the Lumberjack’s Varsity Bowling Team. Her goal is to be an event planner after college.
Sims credits bowling and other sports for bringing her back from her father’s passing while she was in middle school. “I just stopped caring for almost two years and just went through the motions; but finally, I decided that I was going to have to pick myself up and start moving on. In high school, I made friends, got involved in sports, and completely surprised myself when I ended up 3^rd in my class my freshman year. Who knew I was brilliant?!” she said. “I learned that through determination and a strong heart, you can come back from anything.”
Blumensheid says that a losing experience taught her a valuable lesson in 2009. After a losing effort in a sectional tournament where she was favored to advance, she was consoled by her coach. “I realized at that moment that anything that hurt that badly meant something to me,” she said. “Every failure is a learning opportunity. That day made my life what it is today and I’m eternally thankful. Learning from failure and discovering your passion are two lessons I try to teach every girl I coach.”
Blair is a senior at Ohio State University majoring in Strategic Communications. She is planning a career in Public Relations. She volunteers as a coach at Westerville High School.
Chong, at 4’-11” tall, realized early on that she would have to match physical strength with hard work, practice and determination; and her confidence soared when she finished second in an international event at age 14. “It proved to me I could hold my own against older and bigger girls with practice and self-confidence,” she said. Samantha also has confidence in the classroom, where her grade point average is 4.4. She also excels at tennis and volunteers at her church. In the fall, she will attend New York University majoring in Psychology, with minors in Linguistics and Economics.
“The Pezzano committee is thrilled with this year’s winners, as we believe the winning trio is a prime example of the quality and character of today’s young bowlers, writers and students,” said BWAA Pezzano Scholarship Committee Chair Joan Romeo, adding, “a special thank you goes out to Mary Lynly, Maggie Christina and Tyrone Rodriquez.”