
MiLB Honors Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Rising Star Students
May 17, 2018 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -Minor League Baseball (MiLB) and MiLB Charities today announced that 20 high school students nationwide will receive a $500 college stipend as part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Rising Star Students program. The award honors high-achieving students involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America mentorship program who are preparing for their "call-up" to college.
The Big Brothers Big Sisters Rising Star Students program further reinforces MiLB's commitment to its communities and its charitable partners. In the third year of the program, MiLB is expanding its reach to even more deserving students and paving the way for future expansion. The 20 winners include high school seniors from 18 Big Brothers Big Sisters of America affiliates across 14 states.
Each honoree will receive a check and Minor League Baseball-themed prizes, and each participating Minor League Baseball team will honor its local winners during on-field ceremonies. This year's winners, their nominating Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies and the local MiLB teams that will recognize them, are as follows:
- Alexander Marcano, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, Clearwater Threshers
- Alexandra Capps, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma, Tulsa Drillers
- Amaya Williams, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana, Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Benjamin Schmiesing, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Miami Valley, Dayton Dragons
- Briana Renee Alvarez, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas, Round Rock Express
- Coby Bernharthorton, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Blair County, Altoona Curve
- Daniel Rosenbloom, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah, Salt Lake Bees
- Danielle Polion, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana, Louisville Bats
- Ivan Alexis Rodriguez Holguin, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central New Mexico, Albuquerque Isotopes
- Jamir Jones, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio, Columbus Clippers
- Katie Parks, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee, Nashville Sounds
- Kionnie Byrd, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina, Asheville Tourists
- Maria Stephany De Leon, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana, Indianapolis Indians
- Marquavis Little, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Great Lakes Bay Region, Great Lakes Loons
- Maya Le-Pedroza, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County, Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino
- Nathan Scott Trovinger, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region, Harrisburg Senators
- Romeo Gabrielson, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mahoning Valley, Mahoning Valley Scrappers
- Sophia Heying-Sullivan, Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest, Hillsboro Hops
- Tyler Wetherell, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Great Lakes Bay Region, Great Lakes Loons
- Yohanna Vasquez, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah, Salt Lake Bees
Nominees were required to provide submissions describing their academic and personal achievements, college and career goals, and how their involvement in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program has impacted them. To be eligible, nominees were required to be "Bigs" or "Littles" in Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs.
"This group of driven, hard-working students has demonstrated what it means to be a 'Rising Star' in their respective communities, and Minor League Baseball is honored to provide this stipend as they embark on the next level of their academic careers," said Pat O'Conner, Minor League Baseball President & CEO.
"Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is so proud of these outstanding young people, and we are honored to partner with Minor League Baseball to celebrate their achievements in high school and help start them on the path to success in college," said Big Brothers Big Sisters of America President and CEO Pam Iorio.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has been an MiLB Charity Partner since the program's inception in 2004. The mission of the Minor League Baseball Charity Partners Program is to provide national exposure for participating charities, expand current relationships between clubs and local chapters and to foster new relationships where none exist. In 2017, charitable giving by Minor League Baseball teams and MiLB Charities totaled nearly $40 million.
Images from this story
![]() MiLB Honors Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Rising Star Students |
![]() MiLB Honors Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Rising Star Students |
Midwest League Stories from May 17, 2018
- TinCaps Offense Erupts in Series Finale - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- LumberKings avoid sweep with 7-2 win - Clinton LumberKings
- Julks' Home Run Propels Bandits to 2-1 Win over Kernels - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Five-Run Fifth Dooms 'Caps - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Chiefs Winning Streak Snapped at Seven - Peoria Chiefs
- Bandits Win Rubber Game over Kernels - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Heredia's 4 RBI Not Enough - Great Lakes Loons
- Rondon, Hot Rods Beat Loons 5-4 - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Nine Feels Fine: Lugs Sweep Dayton Again - Lansing Lugnuts
- Lugnuts Top Dragons 4-1 to Complete Series Sweep - Dayton Dragons
- Sotillo Returns to Lugnuts, Hernandez Placed on DL - Lansing Lugnuts
- Zach Davies to Start for Timber Rattlers on Saturday - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Dragons Homestand Preview for May 18-24 - Dayton Dragons
- MiLB Honors Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Rising Star Students - Great Lakes Loons
- Kettering Health Network Presents the "Strike out Stroke" Event - Dayton Dragons
- Snappers Return for Seven-Game Homestand May 18th - Beloit Sky Carp
- TinCaps Game Notes: May 17 vs. West Michigan (Game 39) - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic Is Presenting Sponsor of Green & Gold Charity Softball Game - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Captains Shutout Cubs 7-0 in Series Finale - South Bend Cubs
- Perez Deals, Captains Explode for Three Homers in Win - Lake County Captains
- Dragons Notes for Thursday - Dayton Dragons
- Communication Error Cost Bees in Extra Innings - Burlington Bees
- Bees Use Big Sixth Inning to Take Down Cougars 9-3 - Burlington Bees
- Game Information: Beloit Snappers at Wisconsin Timber Rattlers - Beloit Sky Carp
- South Bend Cubs Announce Upcoming Game/Promotion Schedule - South Bend Cubs
- Captains and Cubs Split Marathon Doubleheader - Lake County Captains
- Cubs Split Doubleheader with Captains for Second Time this Series - South Bend Cubs
- Cougars Top Bees in Extras - Kane County Cougars
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Great Lakes Loons Stories
- White' Washes out Pontooners, Snaps Seven-Game Winning Streak
- Hope Homers as Pontooners Sink Sky Carp 7-2, Great Lakes Win Seventh Straight
- Crowell Cruises to Eight K's, Pontooners Sail to 5-1 Win and Sixth Straight Victory
- Pontooners Boat Race Sky Carp 9-2 with Six-Run Sixth, Earn Fifth-Straight Win
- Wagner Walk-Off Double Finishes Six Unanswered in Comeback 6-5 10-Inning Win

