April 10, 2010
PACERS ANNOUNCE WINNERS OF LARRY BIRD CHARACTER AWARD
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers, in conjunction with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA), Dick’s Sporting Goods, and The Indianapolis Star have selected the Larry Bird Character Award finalists and scholarship winners.
The Larry Bird Character Award serves as one of the community outreach programs of the Pacers, and is determined by criteria that are representative of the qualities of NBA Legend Larry Bird, including academic excellence, character, sportsmanship and community service. Nominees must be a senior in high school and a member of their boys or girls high school varsity basketball team.
Winners were chosen by a selection committee made up of representatives from the Pacers, the NFHS, the IHSAA, Dick’s Sporting Goods and The Indianapolis Star. These winners are the best of the eligible nominations submitted, based upon the nominee’s academic achievement and community service. A complete set of rules can be obtained by logging on to Pacers.com. As part of the Larry Bird Character Award, The Indianapolis Star published select nominees each week from December 2009 – March 2010.
The finalists and winners were recognized at halftime of the Pacers’ game against New Jersey on April 10. The ten finalists receive a commemorative photo and finalist plaque. The two overall winners receive a trophy and a $1000 college scholarship courtesy of Dick’s Sporting Goods.
The five Female finalists are as follows:
Shanlynn Bias – Griffith High School
Victoria Brocksmith – Rivet High School
Renee Frantz – Fremont High School
Casey Hueni – Bremen High School
Whitney Malin – Wood Memorial High School
The five Male finalists are as follows:
Landon Harner – Springs Valley High School
Nathan Hendershot – Pendleton Heights High School
Brayden Merrell – Northwestern High School
Tyler Wampler – West Vigo High School
Daniel Wodicka – West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School
The Scholarship Winners are as follows:
Female – Casey Hueni – Bremen High School
Male – Brayden Merrell – Northwestern High School