NEWS RELEASE NATIONAL INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATORS ASSOCIATION 9100 Keystone Crossing, Suite 650 Indianapolis, IN 46240 317-587-1450, FAX 317-587-1451 www.niaaa.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mike Blackburn INDIANAPOLIS, IN (December 18, 2019) - The winners of the 2019 NIAAA Student/Essay Scholarship were announced at the December 14, 2019, Opening General Session of the National Athletic Directors Conference. The conference, conducted from December 13 through 17 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, in National Harbor, Maryland, was a joint production of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and the National Federation of State High School Associations. 2019 marked the 13th year for the NIAAA Student Scholarship/Essay presentations. Students from 50 state athletic administrator associations, plus the District of Columbia, were able to submit a nomination form and essay. The male and female state winners were then screened within one of eight Sections in which the state athletic administrator associations reside, which then created eight male and eight female Section winners. The NIAAA Board of Directors evaluated the finalist's scholastic record, athletic participation accomplishments, citizenship and leadership credentials on its way to selecting one male and one female national recipient. Both recipients were on hand in National Harbor to receive their national scholarship of $2500, a personal trophy, a plaque for their high school and to read their winning essay entitled: How High School Athletics Have Impacted My Life. The total scholarship earned by the two national recipients was $4000. Following are the two 2019 recipients:
Natayla's parents are, Brooke, and John Newsome. Natalya graduated from Rogers High School with a grade point average of 3.8. She is attending Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene Texas, majoring in Biology and Pre-Physical Therapy. The Director of Athletics at Rogers High School is James Cawley, CAA. Natalya earned 12 varsity letters in her high school career, competing all seasons while participating in the sports of soccer, track & field and softball. She served as captain of her track & field and softball teams during her senior season. Natalya was active in her school serving as a member of student council and National Honor Society. She also was active as vice-president of the International Club and a vital member of Students Against Destructive Decisions". Natalya speaks fluently three languages, English, Russian and Ukrainian. In her community and church, Natalya was a volunteer in events such as Light the Night and The Tim Tebow Foundation, while serving as a camp counselor for Ukrainian refugee children in Poland, as a group translator. Athletic administrator, James Cawley says of Natalya, "...she has had to tackle a great deal of adversity and she does not shy away from it. She is fierce in her pursuits but never without her trademark smile!
Max's parents are Jill and Jeffery Friedman. Max graduated from Gerstell Academy with a 4.0 grade point average. He is now attending Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, with plans to major in Pre-medicine. The athletic administrator at Gerstell Academy is Christine Hryzak, CMAA. Christine shared this insight, "Max is constantly listening, observing, learning and molding his opinions based on his high level of critical thinking. He understands the commitment and high standards student athletes face on a daily basis." Max earned 10 varsity letters participating in soccer, basketball, baseball and lacrosse, while serving as captain for his soccer team. Max was recognized by his team and coaches as a Gerstell Falcon Leadership Award winner for his leadership contributions during his senior seasons. Academically, he ranked number one in his class, while involving himself in seven different honor societies, besides being a National Honor society member, Max also had involvement in Art, English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Spanish. He also received the Spanish Honor Society Joseph Adams Senior Scholarship award. Leadership roles held include 4 years as Class Vice-President, Honor Council, editor of the Roaring Run Review and a member of the Chess Club, Community Action Group, Japanese, Physics and Theater Clubs. Max's community activities included volunteering at Our Daily Bread Hot Meal Program in Baltimore, and Frist Fruits Farm. He also served as a counselor at The All skills camp, and basketball camp at Gerstell Academy. MEDIA CONTACT: Mike Blackburn - 317-587-1450, mblackburn@niaaa.org About the NIAAA: The NIAAA is based in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is the national leadership organization for high school and middle school athletic administrators. With current individual membership of over 12,000 the NIAAA consists of athletic administrators from associations in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Internationally. The NIAAA leads in providing professional development for athletic administrators, and serving as a resource and provider of safe and plentiful participation opportunities for the nation's 7.9 million student-athletes. With conducting education- based athletic programs as the focus, NIAAA membership provides opportunity for professional development, education, certification, national award recognition and exchange of ideas with athletic administrators throughout the nation and world. NIAAA champions the profession of athletic administration through education opportunities, advocating ethics, developing leaders and fostering community. |
2019 Scholarship National Recipients Announcement [NIAAA]
Natalya Blair Newsome - Rogers High School, Newport, Rhode Island
Max David Friedman - Gerstell Academy, Reisterstown, Maryland
