August 26, 2021 jlaufer

 

First-Ever Scholarship to Support BIPOC Youth Bowlers Selects 22 Winners

 

New York, NY – The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) in partnership with professional bowler, Gazmine “GG” Mason are excited to announce the PBA Jr. and Gazmine Mason Foundation Scholarship recipients.

In its first year, 22 exceptional youth bowlers ranging in ages from 13-18, representing 15 states across the United States, have been selected based on their academics, creativity, and commitment to the sport of bowling.

The PBA and Gazmine Mason launched the PBA Jr. and Gazmine Mason Foundation Scholarship together in an effort to advocate for more representation in the sport.

“The inaugural PBA Jr. and Gazmine Mason Foundation class is an inspiring group of diverse youth bowlers with bright futures ahead,” said Colie Edison, CEO of the PBA. “Each and every one is deserving of this opportunity and I look forward to seeing these talented bowlers compete at an elite level.”

The 22 recipients have earned guaranteed entry into the PBA Jr. National Championship Regional Qualifier events, the first part of the PBA Jr. National Championship, which will take place at five locations across the country September 3-5. The East Region Qualifier/22nd Parker Bohn III Scholarship Tournament will begin on September 2.

"I’m so proud to see the positive response and number of applications we received for the first-ever PBA Jr. and Gazmine Mason Foundation Scholarship, “said Gazmine Mason. “The majority of these youth bowlers haven’t competed in a PBA Jr. tournament and to give them an opportunity is just amazing. I wish them lots of luck!”

Join us in congratulating the 2021 PBA Jr. and Gazmine Mason Foundation Scholarship recipients:

Kendall Battles (18) – Philadelphia
Daveon Bickcom (15) – Chicago
Essence Collins (15) – Aurora, Colo.
Nila Dulcio (16) – Sugar Hill, Ga.
Aaliyah Friend (16) – Winston-Salem, N.C.
Tyler Galbreath (15) – San Antonio, Texas
Diamond Gist (15) – Hammond, Ind.
Jasmine Hall (15) - Huntsville, Ala.
Daniel Hong (17) – Fullerton, Calif.
Stephanie Hong (15) – Fullerton, Calif.
Jewel Johnson (15) – Harrisburg, Pa.
Michael Jones (15) – Laurel, Md.
Kieryn Knox (17) – West Orange, N.J.
Walther Lents (17) – Daytona Beach, Fla.
Caroline Lewis (16) – Kenosaha, Wis.
Brianna McCall (13) – Houston
Bryan McCall (13) – Houston
Emmanuel McPherson (17) – Green Bay, Wis.
Tori Richardson (12) – Waterloo, Iowa
King Simmons (15) – Chicago
Kai Strothers (13) – Plainfield, N.J.
Allie Williams (17) – Philadelphia, Miss.

The PBA Jr. National Championship Regional Qualifiers are the first part in the PBA Jr. National Championship open to youth bowlers, who have not yet reached the age of 18 by August 1, 2021.

Each Regional Qualifier will guarantee a first place $2,000 SMART Scholarship with scholarships being awarded to one out of every six (1:6) entries in each division.

For additional information, eligibility, and to register please visit pba.com/junior.

About the PBA
The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) is the world’s preeminent organization dedicated to the sport of bowling and its professional competition, with thousands of members and millions of fans throughout the world. The PBA plays host to bowling’s biggest tournaments from the PBA Tour, PBA Regional Tour, and PBA50 Tour. In 2020, the PBA launched PBA Jr., a club for elite youth bowlers under the age of 17 and the PBA Pinsiders, a membership for fans of the sport. For more information, please visit PBA.com.

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