News

The Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc. is proud to announce this year’s group of 12 senior student-athletes who will be honored this week with the 2013 C. Eugene Cato Memorial Scholarship Awards.

To reward the efforts of Indiana’s complete student-athletes, the IHSAA, Methodist Sports Medicine – The Orthopedic Specialists, the Indianapolis Colts and Sport Graphics, Inc. have once again partnered in sponsoring the program.  These well-rounded, positive role models have demonstrated excellence in academics, school and community involvement, character, sportsmanship and citizenship.

Each individual will receive a $2,500 scholarship for their prep accomplishments and be recognized on Thursday, April 11, 2013 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis as part of the Brady Sports Achievement Awards established by Methodist Sports Medicine.

This year’s recipients are:

Each student completed and submitted a formal application and had to meet certain criteria to qualify including: 1) be enrolled and participating in interscholastic athletics at an IHSAA member school during the 2012-13 school year; 2) be a senior at an IHSAA member school who will graduate during the 2012-13 school year; 3) win a varsity letter as an athlete in at least one of the 20 IHSAA-sanctioned athletic programs; 4) be nominated by the school’s principal; 5) carry a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale or the equivalent; 6) have no violations of the school’s athletic code of conduct; 7) must not have been ejected from any IHSAA contest due to unsportsmanlike behavior and; 8) verify that he/she has made a commitment to remain substance-free throughout high school.

More than 100 applications were received from across the state and a blue ribbon panel of five individuals decided upon the final recipients. They are: Joe Fonderoli, Director of Special Events, Indianapolis Colts; Bob Gardner, Executive Director, National Federation of State High School Associations; Melissa Mann, Manager of Advertising and Brand Strategy, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance; Dick Rea, Director of Communications, Methodist Sports Medicine and; Bobby Cox, Commissioner, Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.

The scholarship pro­gram is named in tribute to the late former Commissioner C. Eugene Cato who led the IHSAA from 1983 to 1995 and also served as assistant commissioner from 1976 to 1983. “Gene’s” passion for athletics and his belief in the intrinsic value of athletic competition on the forma­tion of a child’s character enabled Gene to positively impact generations of young men and women with his well-known “Firm, Fair, and Friendly” approach to caring for others. He passed away in 2008.

Since 2003-04, the IHSAA has recognized 113 outstanding student-athletes with scholarships totaling $282,500.

Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, who captured the hearts of sports fans while battling leukemia during a three-month absence last fall, will serve as the keynote speaker for Thursday’s awards dinner. The Methodist Sports Medicine Research and Education Foundation also will honor four Indiana high school and college student-athletes that have overcome injury or hardship with Comeback Awards including Shanna Kelly of Alexandria Monroe High School and Noah James of Boonville High School.

Kelly, a high school basketball player, did not allow melanoma diagnosis and treatment to interrupt her academics or her dedication to her team. James is a double lung transplant survivor who returned to competition as a member of his high school swim team.

For additional information on the awards dinner, Methodist Sports Medicine issued this news release and this invitation.

Biographies

Avon’s Aaron Bode is ranked first in his graduating class of 2013 with a 4.9 GPA. In his tenure at Avon, Aaron has earned six varsity letters while participating on the tennis and basketball teams. He stays active in his school by serving as a member of the student government, and has also been a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, Key Club, and Power of Physics Show. Aaron assisted in raising over $20,000 for Riley Children’s Hospital over the past two years through events such as the Riley Dance Marathon, Trunk or Treat, and percentage nights at local businesses. He has also served as the head of several committees for Riley events. Aaron is the son of Michael and Stephanie Bode.

Crown Point’s Christopher Dietrich is ranked second in his class and carries a GPA of 4.6. Christopher has earned two varsity letters in baseball and three letters in tennis. As Christopher keeps busy academically and athletically, he is also active in his community. He is the secretary of the Athletic Council, has represented Crown Point High School at Hoosier Boys State, and is involved in the National Honor Society and the Indiana Academic Super Bowl. Christopher volunteers as a worship assistant at his church, supports service projects to raise money for Juvenile Diabetes research, is involved with the exchange program for teachers, and tutors students in math and science. Christopher is the son of Michael and Karen Dietrich.

Anthony Douglas II of South Bend Washington has excelled academically, athletically, and in his community.  This spring Anthony will graduate as valedictorian of his class with a 4.0 GPA.  Beyond the classroom, Anthony has earned varsity letters all four years of his career in both cross country and track and field.  He has served as class president each year, and is active in the Air Force ROTC and National Honor Society.  Anthony is vice-president of the IHSAA Student Advisory Committee, a committee of 18 leaders chosen to represent the 160,000 student-athletes throughout the state. Within his community, Anthony volunteers with Building Leaders for Tomorrow, Inc. and the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.  Anthony is the son of Anthony and Rachel Douglas.

Erin Duncan of Providence High School will graduate at the top of her class this spring with a perfect 4.0 GPA.  Erin led the Pioneer soccer squad to a state title in 2011 and a runner-up finish at the 2012 Class A Girls Soccer State Finals, where she was named winner of the mental attitude award.  Erin is a student ambassador, president of the Spanish Club, a member of the National Honor Society and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). Erin is a Eucharistic Minister at her church, Our Lady of Perpetual Health, where she is also involved in the youth ministry program. She has spent significant time volunteering at animal shelters and soup kitchens in her area. She is the daughter of Gerald and Elaine Duncan.

A two-sport athlete, Anna Marie Farlow is ranked first in her graduating class at Southwood High School. While earning a 4.0 GPA, Anna Marie received eight varsity letters career in basketball and golf and captained the Knights basketball team her junior and senior years.  The AP Scholar is a National Merit Scholar Commended Student, coordinator of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and member of the Student Congress and National Honor Society.  Anna Marie is a company member of Wabash Valley Dance Theater, a ten-year member of 4-H Club, and was named the 2012 Wabash County Fair Queen. She also contributes as a columnist for The Wabash Plain Dealer. Anna is the daughter of Brad and Tammy Farlow.

Perry Central’s Levi Hilgenhold is president of both his class and the National Honor Society, and a member of Students Taking Action Not Drugs (STAND), Key Club, and Future Farmers of America.  Levi is captain of the interdisciplinary academic team and is ranked first in his graduating class with a GPA of 4.0.  He has earned a total of six varsity letters, two in football and four in track and field.  Highly involved in his community, Levi is an Eagle Scout, president of the 4-H Club, co-chairman of Perry County Power of Youth, active with Big Brothers, and an elementary flag football coach.  Levi is the son of John and Pamela Hilgenhold.

Barbara (Barbie) Kimmel has earned ten varsity letters in gymnastics, swimming, and track and field during her time at Tippecanoe Valley High School. Top-ranked academically, Barbara is a member of the Key Club and National Honor Society.  She has served as a student council class representative and peer tutor during each of her four years at Tippecanoe Valley.  Barbara has volunteered as a youth gymnastics coach, served as a student assistant for her church youth group, attended  summer church youth mission trips to Jamaica, and contributed as a committee volunteer for the Red Cross Blood Drive. She is the daughter of Joseph and Cinda Kimmel.

Kaitlyn O’Rourke of Lebanon High School will graduate among the top of her class this spring with a 4.5 GPA. During her career at Lebanon, Kaitlyn has earned nine varsity letters in basketball, track and field, cross country, and volleyball. She has been a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) for four years, two of which she served as part of the leadership team.  Kaitlyn has been a member of the Key Club, Student Council, National Honor Society, and is a reporter and editor for her school newspaper.  She is a student representative on the YMCA Board of Directors, has been a St. Joseph’s Church LifeTeen member for four years, and has served as a basketball camp counselor. Kaitlyn is the daughter of Kevin and Wendy O’Rourke.

Lapel High School’s Stephanie Pritchett has earned eleven varsity letters throughout her high school career. She was the team captain in all three sports in which she participated in: basketball, volleyball, and tennis. An outstanding student ranked third in her class, Stephanie has held numerous leadership positions within her school community.  She is an active member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, has participated in the Youth Leadership Academy of Madison County, and is a volunteer for St. John’s Hospital, Upward Basketball, and Optimist Club Volleyball. Stephanie is the daughter of Bruce and Ruth Pritchett.

Taylor Shake has participated in tennis and volleyball at Sullivan High School. Top-ranked in the 2013 graduating class with a 4.0 GPA, Taylor is highly involved at Sullivan.  She has held leadership positions within the National BETA Club, Spanish Club, Student Council, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. A community leader, she has volunteered with Toys for Tots, her community soup kitchen, Sullivan County Community Hospital, and the Sullivan Fitness Center. Taylor is the daughter of Ron and Paige Shake.

Valedictorian of his class, Evansville Memorial’s Alec Sievern has excelled well beyond the classroom. He has received eight varsity letters in cross country and track, in which he holds several records and was a state finalist.  He is president of his senior class and the German Club, and is a member of the National Honor Society. The Kiwanis Leadership Award winner contributed many hours to his community through his own conceptions.  Alec created two programs during his high school career: the Get on Track program and Recycled Shoe Drive.  Alec is an Eagle Scout, a chairman for the Teen Advisory Council, and volunteers regularly throughout his community.  Alec is the son of William and Luann Sievern.

Trent Tatlock is a nine-time varsity letter winner in football, baseball, and basketball at Edinburgh High School.  Voted as football captain his junior and senior years, Trent has and received numerous awards in recognition of his athletic achievements, among them, Honorable Mention All-State and All-County in both football and baseball.  Trent will graduate at the top of his class this spring with a 4.4 GPA. He is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, captain of his school’s Academic Team, a class officer for his student council, participates in the Spanish club and is an editor for his school yearbook.  Trent is the son of Todd and Julie Tatlock.

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About the Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc. (IHSAA)
Founded in 1903, the purpose of the Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc. (IHSAA) is to encourage, regulate and give direction to wholesome amateur interschool athletic competition between its 410 member schools. The Association provides state championship tournament series in 20 sports, 10 for girls and 10 for boys. Approximately 160,000 student athletes participate in IHSAA sports on an annual basis.