Dolen Helwagen of Pataskala, Ohio, was named the 20^th winner of the Volney Meece Scholarship on Monday.

The scholarship is awarded annually by the Football Writers Association of America and named for the late Volney Meece. Meece served 22 years as the FWAA’s executive director and was the organization’s president in 1971.

The scholarship is a $1,000 annual grant for four years. It is awarded to a deserving son or daughter of an FWAA member.

The 17-year-old Helwagen is the daughter of long-time FWAA member Steve Helwagen.

Dolen has compiled an impressive list of academic and extracurricular achievements in her four years at Watkins Memorial High School. She maintained a 4.182 weighted GPA while taking a strenuous load of advanced placement and honors classes. She also scored 30-plus on the ACT.

A member of the National Honor Society and on the student council four years, Dolen was a two-time co-captain of the varsity tennis team. She’s in the Watkins Memorial concert choir, was a Buckeye Girls State delegate and a Rotary International ambassador.

Kathleen Berry, a member of the Watkins Memorial faculty, wrote in her letter of recommendation: “Dolen’s impressive GPA and ACT score speaks volumes about her inherent intelligence and work ethic. Her contagious enthusiasm and commitment to excellence both in the classroom and on the tennis court make her one of the most emulated leaders in our school.”

Previous winners of the Volney Meece Scholarship: