Category Archives: Volney Meece Scholarsip

Applications Accepted for FWAA’s Volney Meece Scholarship

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The application window for the Volney Meece Scholarship is now open, and the Football Writers Association of America has expanded the groups of college students who are eligible to win it.

The $1,000 multi-year scholarship is given annually by the FWAA to help a deserving college student defray the cost of a higher education.

This year marks an important transition year for the award. The FWAA is expanding the eligibility qualifications beyond the ones that were in place for the first 26 years of it. Starting this year, the FWAA will accept applications from:

  • FWAA members’ sons and daughters who are in college now, who may not have applied before or who want to re-apply.
  • FWAA student members (not the sons or daughters of FWAA members) who are in college and still are working on degrees, such as a freshman or sophomore who has more years left in college and may even be considering graduate school.
  • Children of College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) who are entering college or are in early in their college years. The CSC members do not have to be current FWAA members.

The FWAA awards the scholarship annually to a deserving student. It is a multi-year scholarship. For someone to win the award in their senior year of high school, the scholarship is worth up to $4,000.

Since the scholarship’s creation in 1997, the FWAA has distributed more than $100,000 to deserving students.

The scholarship is named for the late Volney Meece, who was the FWAA’s President in 1971 and served as its executive director for 22 years. He was a well-known and highly regarded sportswriter and columnist at the Oklahoma City Times and at The Oklahoman. He retired in 1991 and passed away in 1995 at age 70.

For a link to an application, please email Alan Schmadtke at schmad09@gmail.com. The application deadline is Dec. 15, 2023. The winner will be announced in January 2024 at the FWAA’s annual meeting.

Please note that part of the application process is gathering updated high school or college transcripts, and that process can take a few weeks, depending on the school’s records policies.

In addition, the FWAA asks that the student applying for the scholarship complete the application. We feel this shows an important level of inspiration and commitment to gain the scholarship.

—

The FWAA is a collection of journalists, broadcasters, publicists of college football and key executives involved in all aspects of the sport. It was founded in 1941 and consists largely of members across North America who cover college football for a living.

A 501-c-6 nonprofit organization, the FWAA works to help govern areas that include game-day operations and postseason awards. In addition to the Volney Meece Scholarship, the FWAA also sponsors an All-America team, an All-Freshman team, and an annual writing contest. Through its website, the FWAA works to improve communication among all those who work within the game. Membership in the FWAA is open to accredited members of the media and other organizations affiliated with college football. All applications are subject to the approval of the association’s board of directors. If you have a question regarding membership, please contact FWAA Executive Director Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com.

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Georgia Student receives Volney Meece Scholarship

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Indianapolis — Jacob Weiszer, a senior at Cedar Shoals High School in Athens, Ga., was named the 25th 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.

Jacob Weiszer

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 Weiszer is the son of FWAA member Marc Weiszer. 

Jacob has compiled an impressive list of academic and extracurricular achievements. Accepted at the University of Georgia, where he is already taking classes, Jacob has also applied to several more universities. If he selects Georgia, he will be considered a sophomore when he enters next fall because of the college credits he’s earning as part of the of dual-enrolling program with the university.

At Cedar Shoals, Jacob has maintained a weighted 4.32 GPA while taking several advanced placement courses. A member of the National Honor Society, he ranks third academically in his senior class of 280 students and has been awarded the school’s Phi Beta Kappa Book Award, for exemplifying the highest level of academic, ethical and social commitment.

Jacob is a four-year member of his school’s soccer team, plays Alto saxophone in the marching band, is sports editor of the school magazine and a reporter for Cedar Shoals’  WJAG-TV station. He also volunteered as a youth summer camp counselor and is a religious school volunteer, helping mentor first-grade students in Judaic studies and the basics of Hebrew.

Jacob has attained many additional honors while also working part-time at a neighborhood restaurant. He intends to pursue a business degree with a goal of working in the accounting, financial or international business fields.

Past winners of the Volney Meece Scholarship

1997 Brett Goering Topeka, Kan.
1998 Kelly Brooks Denver, Colo.
1999 James Butz Schaumberg, Ill.
2000 Sara Barnhart Atlanta, Ga.
2001 Patrick Davis Coventry, Conn.
2002 Jacqueline O’Toole Gaithersburg, Md.
2003 Garrett Holtz Denver, Colo.
2004 Katie Hersom Oklahoma City, Okla.
2005 Katie Wieberg Lawson, Mo.
2006 Kaylynn Monroe Winter Park, Fla.
2007 Nate Kerkhoff Overland Park, Kan.
2008 Jack Caywood Lawrence, Kan.
2009 Haley Dodd Overland Park, Kan.
2010 Donald Hunt Philadelphia, Pa.
2011 Alaina Martens Papillion, Neb.
2012 Emily Alford Tupelo, Miss.
2013 Sarah Helsley Edmond, Okla.
2014Robert AbramsonPalos Verde, Calif.
2015Danielle HooverTulsa, Okla.
2016Dolen HelwagenPataskala, Ohio
2017Elizabeth SchroederNorman, Okla.
2018Mallory RosettaBaton Rouge, La.
2019Alexandra HaleyHamilton, N.J.
2020Sarah ShatelOmaha, Neb.

Members: Nominate your son or daughter for the Volney Meece Scholarship

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The FWAA is now accepting applications for the 25th annual Volney Meece Scholarship.

For an application please email Dave Sittler at davesitt@aol.com.

Applications must be received by Dec. 15, 2021.

The scholarship is awarded annually by the FWAA and named for the late Volney Meece, who served 22 years as the FWAA’s Executive Director and was the organization’s President in 1971.

The $1,000 annual grant for four years is awarded to a deserving son or daughter of an FWAA member. High school seniors and current college students are eligible. Since the program started in 1997, the FWAA has distributed more than $90,000 in scholarship money to deserving children of FWAA members.

The winner will be announced in January.

Past winners of the Volney Meece Scholarship

1997 Brett Goering Topeka, Kan.
1998 Kelly Brooks Denver, Colo.
1999 James Butz Schaumberg, Ill.
2000 Sara Barnhart Atlanta, Ga.
2001 Patrick Davis Coventry, Conn.
2002 Jacqueline O’Toole Gaithersburg, Md.
2003 Garrett Holtz Denver, Colo.
2004 Katie Hersom Oklahoma City, Okla.
2005 Katie Wieberg Lawson, Mo.
2006 Kaylynn Monroe Winter Park, Fla.
2007 Nate Kerkhoff Overland Park, Kan.
2008 Jack Caywood Lawrence, Kan.
2009 Haley Dodd Overland Park, Kan.
2010 Donald Hunt Philadelphia, Pa.
2011 Alaina Martens Papillion, Neb.
2012 Emily Alford Tupelo, Miss.
2013 Sarah Helsley Edmond, Okla.
2014Robert AbramsonPalos Verde, Calif.
2015Danielle HooverTulsa, Okla.
2016Dolen HelwagenPataskala, Ohio
2017Elizabeth SchroederNorman, Okla.
2018Mallory RosettaBaton Rouge, La.
2019Alexandra HaleyHamilton, N.J.
2020Sarah ShatelOmaha, Neb.

Sarah Shatel named recipient of Volney Meece Scholarship

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Sarah Shatel, winner of the 2020 Volney Meece Scholarship

Sarah Shatel, a freshman at the University of Missouri, was named the 24th 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 19-year-old Shatel is the daughter of long-time FWAA member Tom Shatel, Omaha World-Herald sports columnist and 2000 FWAA President. 

 

Sarah compiled an impressive list of academic and extracurricular achievements as a student at Elkhorn (NE) South High School. She has continued along that path at Mizzou.

 

At Elkhorn South, Sarah maintained a weighted 4.105 GPA while taking several advanced placement and honors courses. A member of the National Honor Society, she was cited for outstanding academic excellence by the President’s Education Awards Program.

 

She helped organize a church mission to Costa Rica, served as a peer tutor through the National Honor Society, was involved in SADD (Student Against Destructive Decisions), was web editor and writer for the student newspaper, and volunteered for extracurricular activities while working several part-time jobs. 

 

Sarah is majoring in mathematics at Mizzou with a minor in Spanish.

 

Past winners of the Volney Meece Scholarship  

  •   1997 Brett Goering Topeka, Kan.  
  •   1998 Kelly Brooks Denver, Colo.  
  •   1999 James Butz Schaumberg, Ill.  
  •   2000 Sara Barnhart Atlanta, Ga.  
  •   2001 Patrick Davis Coventry, Conn.  
  •   2002 Jacqueline O’Toole Gaithersburg, Md.  
  •   2003 Garrett Holtz Denver, Colo.  
  •   2004 Katie Hersom Oklahoma City, Okla.  
  •   2005 Katie Wieberg Lawson, Mo.  
  •   2006 Kaylynn Monroe Winter Park, Fla.  
  •   2007 Nate Kerkhoff Overland Park, Kan.  
  •   2008 Jack Caywood Lawrence, Kan.  
  •   2009 Haley Dodd Overland Park, Kan.  
  •   2010 Donald Hunt Philadelphia, Pa.  
  •   2011 Alaina Martens Papillion, Neb.  
  •   2012 Emily Alford Tupelo, Miss.  
  •   2013 Sarah Helsley Edmond, Okla.  
  •   2014 Robert Abramson Palos Verde, Calif.  
  •   2015 Danielle Hoover Tulsa, Okla.  
  •   2016 Dolen Helwagen Pataskala, Ohio  
  •   2017 Elizabeth Schroeder Norman, Okla.  
  •   2018 Mallory Rosetta Baton Rouge, La.  
  •   2019 Alexandra Haley Hamilton, N.J. 

New Jersey student receives Volney Meece Scholarship

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Alexandra Haley, a senior at Steinert High in Hamilton, N.J., was named the 23rd winner of the Volney Meece Scholarship on Monday.

Alexandra Haley

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 Haley is the daughter of long-time FWAA member Craig Haley.

Alexandra has compiled an impressive list of academic and extracurricular achievements. She’s maintained a weighted 4.6 GPA and ranks 14th out of 333 students in her senior class while taking several advanced placement courses and also being involved in various extra extracurricular activities, including a standout athletic career.

At Steinert High School, Alexandra is a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, President’s Education Awards and Scholar Athlete Award. She is a member of Student Government, Spanish Club and has volunteered for school charity drives and served as mentor for younger athletes.

A starter on the softball and basketball teams, Haley played catcher on Steinert’s state championship softball team. She plans to continue her academic and athletic careers at Susquehanna University.

Past winners of the Volney Meece Scholarship
1997  Brett Goering  Topeka, Kan.
1998  Kelly Brooks  Denver, Colo.
1999  James Butz  Schaumberg, Ill.
2000  Sara Barnhart  Atlanta, Ga.
2001  Patrick Davis  Coventry, Conn.
2002  Jacqueline O’Toole  Gaithersburg, Md.
2003  Garrett Holtz  Denver, Colo.
2004  Katie Hersom  Oklahoma City, Okla.
2005  Katie Wieberg  Lawson, Mo.
2006  Kaylynn Monroe  Winter Park, Fla.
2007  Nate Kerkhoff  Overland Park, Kan.
2008  Jack Caywood  Lawrence, Kan.
2009  Haley Dodd  Overland Park, Kan.
2010  Donald Hunt  Philadelphia, Pa.
2011  Alaina Martens  Papillion, Neb.
2012  Emily Alford  Tupelo, Miss.
2013  Sarah Helsley  Edmond, Okla.
2014 Robert Abramson Palos Verde, Calif.
2015 Danielle Hoover Tulsa, Okla.
2016 Dolen Helwagen Pataskala, Ohio
2017 Elizabeth Schroeder Norman, Okla.
2018 Mallory Rosetta Baton Rouge, La.

Members: Nominate your daughter or son for the Volney Meece Scholarship

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The FWAA is now accepting applications for the 23nd annual Volney Meece Scholarship.

For an application please contact Dave Sittler, 8314 S. Jamestown Ave, Tulsa, OK 74137. His email is davesitt@aol.com and his cell phone is 918-629-3851 (text).

Applications must be received by Dec. 15, 2019.

The scholarship is awarded annually by the FWAA and named for the late Volney Meece, who served 22 years as the FWAA’s Executive Director and was the organization’s President in 1971.

The $1,000 annual grant for four years is awarded to a deserving son or daughter of an FWAA member. Since the program started in 1997, the FWAA has distributed more than $90,000 in scholarship money to deserving children of FWAA members.

The winner will be announced at the FWAA’s Annual Awards Breakfast at the media hotel in conjunction with the College Football Playoff  National Championship Game.

Past winners of the Volney Meece Scholarship
1997  Brett Goering  Topeka, Kan.
1998  Kelly Brooks  Denver, Colo.
1999  James Butz  Schaumberg, Ill.
2000  Sara Barnhart  Atlanta, Ga.
2001  Patrick Davis  Coventry, Conn.
2002  Jacqueline O’Toole  Gaithersburg, Md.
2003  Garrett Holtz  Denver, Colo.
2004  Katie Hersom  Oklahoma City, Okla.
2005  Katie Wieberg  Lawson, Mo.
2006  Kaylynn Monroe  Winter Park, Fla.
2007  Nate Kerkhoff  Overland Park, Kan.
2008  Jack Caywood  Lawrence, Kan.
2009  Haley Dodd  Overland Park, Kan.
2010  Donald Hunt  Philadelphia, Pa.
2011  Alaina Martens  Papillion, Neb.
2012  Emily Alford  Tupelo, Miss.
2013  Sarah Helsley  Edmond, Okla.
2014 Robert Abramson Palos Verde, Calif.
2015 Danielle Hoover Tulsa, Okla.
2016 Dolen Helwagen Pataskala, Ohio
2017 Elizabeth Schroeder Norman, Okla.
2018 Mallory Rosetta Baton Rouge, La.

Texas Tech student Mallory Rosetta receives Meece Scholarship

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Mallory Rosetta, a freshman at Texas Tech University, was named the 22tst winner of the Volney Meece Scholarship on Monday.

Mallory Rosetta

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 19-year-old Rosetta is the daughter of long-time FWAA member Randy Rosetta.

Mallory compiled an impressive list of academic and extracurricular achievements during high school at the Parkview Baptist School in Baton Rouge, LA. She maintained a 3.918 GPA while also being involved in various school and church activities.

She has continued that success during her first semester at Texas Tech. Majoring in public relations, she compiled a 3.6 GPA and was named a features writer for the student newspaper.

At Parkview Baptist, she was president of the honor society and drama club, secretary of the student council and a member of the Louisiana all-state choir three years. Mallory served as a ministry mentor for middle school students at Istrouma Baptist Church and volunteered at the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and American Heart Association.

Past winners of the Volney Meece Scholarship
1997  Brett Goering  Topeka, Kan.
1998  Kelly Brooks  Denver, Colo.
1999  James Butz  Schaumberg, Ill.
2000  Sara Barnhart  Atlanta, Ga.
2001  Patrick Davis  Coventry, Conn.
2002  Jacqueline O’Toole  Gaithersburg, Md.
2003  Garrett Holtz  Denver, Colo.
2004  Katie Hersom  Oklahoma City, Okla.
2005  Katie Wieberg  Lawson, Mo.
2006  Kaylynn Monroe  Winter Park, Fla.
2007  Nate Kerkhoff  Overland Park, Kan.
2008  Jack Caywood  Lawrence, Kan.
2009  Haley Dodd  Overland Park, Kan.
2010  Donald Hunt  Philadelphia, Pa.
2011  Alaina Martens  Papillion, Neb.
2012  Emily Alford  Tupelo, Miss.
2013  Sarah Helsley  Edmond, Okla.
2014 Robert Abramson Palos Verde, Calif.
2015 Danielle Hoover Tulsa, Okla.
2016 Dolen Helwagen Pataskala, Ohio
2017 Elizabeth Schroeder Norman, Okla.

Members: Nominate your daughter or son for the Volney Meece Scholarship

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The FWAA is now accepting applications for the 22nd annual Volney Meece Scholarship.

For an application please contact Dave Sittler, 8314 S. Jamestown Ave, Tulsa, OK 74137. His email is davesitt@aol.com and his cell phone is 918-629-3851 (text).

Applications must be received by Dec. 15, 2018.

The scholarship is awarded annually by the FWAA and named for the late Volney Meece, who served 22 years as the FWAA’s Executive Director and was the organization’s President in 1971.

The $1,000 annual grant for four years is awarded to a deserving son or daughter of an FWAA member. Since the program started in 1997, the FWAA has distributed $83,000 in scholarship money to deserving children of FWAA members.

The winner will be announced at the FWAA’s Annual Awards Breakfast at the media hotel in conjunction with the College Football Playoff  National Championship Game on Jan. 7, 2019, in San Jose.

Past winners of the Volney Meece Scholarship
1997  Brett Goering  Topeka, Kan.
1998  Kelly Brooks  Denver, Colo.
1999  James Butz  Schaumberg, Ill.
2000  Sara Barnhart  Atlanta, Ga.
2001  Patrick Davis  Coventry, Conn.
2002  Jacqueline O’Toole  Gaithersburg, Md.
2003  Garrett Holtz  Denver, Colo.
2004  Katie Hersom  Oklahoma City, Okla.
2005  Katie Wieberg  Lawson, Mo.
2006  Kaylynn Monroe  Winter Park, Fla.
2007  Nate Kerkhoff  Overland Park, Kan.
2008  Jack Caywood  Lawrence, Kan.
2009  Haley Dodd  Overland Park, Kan.
2010  Donald Hunt  Philadelphia, Pa.
2011  Alaina Martens  Papillion, Neb.
2012  Emily Alford  Tupelo, Miss.
2013  Sarah Helsley  Edmond, Okla.
2014 Robert Abramson Palos Verde, Calif.
2015 Danielle Hoover Tulsa, Okla.
2016 Dolen Helwagen Pataskala, Ohio
2017 Elizabeth Schroeder Norman, Okla.

Elizabeth Schroeder to receive Volley Meece Scholarship

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Elizabeth Schroeder of Norman, OK., has been named the 21tst winner of the Volney Meece Scholarship.

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 Schroeder is the daughter of long-time FWAA member George Schroeder.

Elizabeth has compiled an impressive list of academic and extracurricular achievements in her four years at Community Christian School and in her church. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school and ranks first academically in her class.

A member of the National Honor Society, student council and class treasurer, she has made the Principal’s Honor Roll her entire high school career. Elizabeth has also spent three summers working with children while on missions to Guatemala, which inspired her to pursue a degree in elementary education at the University of Oklahoma.

CCS faculty member Lee Ann Wimer wrote in her letter of recommendation: “Elizabeth is one of those extremely gifted students who cross a teacher’s classroom only a few times in their career. She is working towards top honors at graduation as Valedictorian.”

Past winners of the Volney Meece Scholarship
1997  Brett Goering  Topeka, Kan.
1998  Kelly Brooks  Denver, Colo.
1999  James Butz  Schaumberg, Ill.
2000  Sara Barnhart  Atlanta, Ga.
2001  Patrick Davis  Coventry, Conn.
2002  Jacqueline O’Toole  Gaithersburg, Md.
2003  Garrett Holtz  Denver, Colo.
2004  Katie Hersom  Oklahoma City, Okla.
2005  Katie Wieberg  Lawson, Mo.
2006  Kaylynn Monroe  Winter Park, Fla.
2007  Nate Kerkhoff  Overland Park, Kan.
2008  Jack Caywood  Lawrence, Kan.
2009  Haley Dodd  Overland Park, Kan.
2010  Donald Hunt  Philadelphia, Pa.
2011  Alaina Martens  Papillion, Neb.
2012  Emily Alford  Tupelo, Miss.
2013  Sarah Helsley  Edmond, Okla.
2014 Robert Abramson Palos Verde, Calif.
2015 Danielle Hoover Tulsa, Okla.
2016 Dolen Helwagen Pataskala, Ohio

 

Ohio youth named Meece Scholarship winner

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Dolen Helwagen of Pataskala, Ohio, was named the 20th 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:

1997  Brett Goering  Topeka, Kan.
1998  Kelly Brooks  Denver, Colo.
1999  James Butz  Schaumberg, Ill.
2000  Sara Barnhart  Atlanta, Ga.
2001  Patrick Davis  Coventry, Conn.
2002  Jacqueline O’Toole  Gaithersburg, Md.
2003  Garrett Holtz  Denver, Colo.
2004  Katie Hersom  Oklahoma City, Okla.
2005  Katie Wieberg  Lawson, Mo.
2006  Kaylynn Monroe  Winter Park, Fla.
2007  Nate Kerkhoff  Overland Park, Kan.
2008  Jack Caywood  Lawrence, Kan.
2009  Haley Dodd  Overland Park, Kan.
2010  Donald Hunt  Philadelphia, Pa.
2011  Alaina Martens  Papillion, Neb.
2012  Emily Alford  Tupelo, Miss.
2013  Sarah Helsley  Edmond, Okla.
2014 Robert Abramson Palos Verde, Calif.
2015 Danielle Hoover Tulsa, Okla.