For immediate release
April 24, 2017
Contact info: Derek Sieg 309-530-0196 or scholarship@theclassic.org
Bloomington, IL – The Classic Tournament, Inc., which organizes one of the largest, coed high school holiday basketball tournaments in the nation called the State Farm Holiday Classic, has selected four winners as recipients of the 2017 Holiday Classic Scholarship award. Each of the winners will receive a $1,000 scholarship to go directly to their college of choice for tuition costs.
Established to recognize and award scholarships to eligible high school seniors who participated in this past year’s tournament, a selection committee of former educators and scholarship recipients chose the winners based on leadership skills and academic performance. Applicants were also asked to demonstrate their experiences in student activities and community service, and required to submit an essay titled “How my high school sports experience helped prepare me for success in higher education.”
The 2017 Holiday Classic Scholarship awards go to (in alphabetical order):
Andie Bolton, High School of (Champaign) St. Thomas More – Andie participated in four sports over her Sabre career, playing basketball, softball, soccer and volleyball. She served as Treasurer of the Student Council, and participated in several school plays/musicals. Andie also took part on the Math team, Science club, Spanish club and was on the High Honors roll all four years. She plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison and major in Biology/Pre-Med.
Daniel “Will” Costigan, Bloomington Central Catholic High School – Daniel was a three-sport athlete for the Saints, playing basketball, tennis and football. He was named Vita Christi president and Student Council president, and was a member of the National Honors Society and Student Ambassadors. Daniel plans to attend the University of Missouri this fall and major in Biochemistry.
Jacob Gillum, Metamora High School – Jacob is a three-sport student-athlete for the Redbirds, participating in basketball, track & field and cross-country. He is a co-leader for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and has been a member of the National Honors Society and Math team. Academically, Jacob ranks second in his senior class of 232 students, and plans to attend Illinois State University and major in Exercise Science.
Jasmyne Lawrence, Normal University High School – Jasmyne has participated in five different sports at U-High, playing basketball, softball, volleyball, track & field and cross-country over her four year career. She participated in chorus, art club, student-senate and was named Class Secretary during her freshman and senior years in addition to numerous volunteer work. Jasmyne plans to attend Tuskegee University in Alabama and major in Nursing.
“We have honored many fine student-athletes in the past, and this year’s group of recipients is no exception,” said tournament Manager of Student-Athlete Recognition, Derek Sieg. “Each year is a tough process for our selection committee due to the many outstanding applicants, but these four student-athletes stood above the rest based on their involvement in school, athletics and their communities.”
The Holiday Classic Scholarship fund is administered through the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation in Bloomington, IL, and scholarship payments are made directly to the attending college/university of the winning students. One winner from each of the four tournament brackets (Small School Boys, Small School Girls, Large School Boys and Large School Girls) is awarded a scholarship each year.
This is the 12th consecutive year the tournament has offered the Holiday Classic Scholarship program which has now awarded a grand total of $48,000 in scholarships. For more information about the State Farm Holiday Classic, visit the official tournament Web site at www.theclassic.org.
UPDATED: Largest Holiday Tournament in Illinois Announces 2017 Field