HERE THEY ARE…THE GRAND SLAMMERS OF 2005!

I am dedicating this message to our ten outstanding Babe Ruth League graduates who have been selected as Babe Ruth scholarship winners for 2005.

The 2005 Babe Ruth scholarship winners have already achieved great success in their young lives. They are truly goal getters. They have learned that success comes in small acts as well as bold strokes. They possess the push and desire to achieve their goals and I have every confidence that they will do just that. Babe Ruth League, Inc. is proud to recognize the achievements attained by our graduates striving for academic excellence.

ABBIE DOLCI, from Hamilton, New Jersey, graduated from Hamilton High School West with a GPA of 4.40. Her interests include softball, marching band, soccer, the church youth group, tap, ballet and jazz dancing. Her honors and achievements include the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Varsity Letter for Academics, All American Scholar, and Student of the Month. Abbie is currently attending Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey.

JUSTIN HARRIS, from Statesville, North Carolina, graduated from Statesville Sr. High School with a GPA of 4.14. His interests include baseball, cross county, and jazz. His honors and achievements include serving as President of the National Honor Society, National Honor Roll, varsity starter in baseball, and the Greyhound Award in baseball. Justin is currently attending UNC-Charlotte College of Engineering.

MATTHEW HOLIDAY, from Syracuse, New York, graduated from Bishop Ludden High School with a GPA of 4.0. His interests include baseball, poetry and community service work for his church. His honors and achievements include the National Honor Society, High Honors each year and the Scholar Athlete Award. Matthew is currently attending Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York.

GREGORY JACKSON, from Boonville, Missouri, graduated from Boonville High School with a GPA of 3.87. His interests include baseball, bowling, golf, basketball, serving on the school newspaper and community involvement. His honors and achievements include the National Honor Society, Quill and Scroll Society, Hi-Tech Club, Academic Bowl All Conference and All District Teams. Gregory is currently attending the University of Missouri-Columbia.

JAMES LOCKE, from Dumas, Arkansas, graduated from Dumas High School with a GPA of 4.02. His interests are baseball, football, golf, science, swimming and community projects. His honors and achievements include the National Honor Society, National Leadership Merit Award, National Science Merit Award, National Society of High School Scholars, Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, and varsity-lettered in football, baseball and golf. James is currently attending the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

JOSEPH REPUBLICANO, from Alameda, California, graduated from St. Joseph Notre Dame High School with a GPA of 4.03. His interests are baseball, soccer, and community projects. His honors and achievements include the National Honor Society, Outstanding Performance Awards in A.P. Government, Physics and Psychology, Honors in Geometry, President’s Education Award for Academic Excellence, Alameda Babe Ruth Scholarship, James Moreland Scholar Athlete Award, Alumni Family Scholarship, the Bannan Family Scholarship, and Joseph lettered in varsity baseball. Joseph is currently attending Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California.

MATTHEW SICKLER, from Yardville, New Jersey, graduated from Hamilton High School West with a GPA of 3.47. His interests are baseball, soccer and community projects. His honors and achievements include the National Honor Society, Academic Scholar Award, St. Raphael’s Church Peer Leader, and honors in algebra and precalculus. Matthew is currently attending the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey in Pomona, New Jersey.

TAYLOR TRAHAN, from Maurice, Louisiana, graduated from Vermilion Catholic High School with a GPA of 4.0. Her interests are softball, cheerleading, science and church projects. Her honors and achievements include the Beta Club National Honor Society, Who’s Who Among American High School Students Sports Edition, National Honor Roll, Science Award for Biology, and Academic All-State in Softball. Taylor is currently attending Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

TYSON TRAVELLER, from Twin Falls, Idaho, graduated from Twin Falls High School with a GPA of 3.77. His interests are baseball, bowling, Boy Scouts, and politics. His honors and achievements include the National Honor Society, Idaho Gem Boys State Delegate, National English Merit Award, Wendy’s High School Heisman Award Winner and the Eagle Scout Award. Tyson is currently attending Utah State University in Logan, Utah.

MICHAEL WILGUS, from Centreville, Virginia, graduated from Westfield High School with a GPA of 3.5. His interests are baseball, track, playing the guitar, umpiring, science, writing and being a member of the Future Business Leaders of America. His honors and achievements include Academic Letter as a freshman, Science Fair Award, National Merit PST Qualifier, DECA Marketing Award, Iron Man Award and numerous awards for academic excellence. Michael is currently attending James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

These young people are our scholarship winners for 2005. Hats off to them for their hard work and the success they have achieved. They have demonstrated that no matter what, we have the power within ourselves to excel in life. Through the guidance and principles instilled in these young people by their parents, families, teachers, friends, and, yes, the Babe Ruth “family”, they have learned to expand their potential and to realize their ambitions.