July 29, 2022 Professional Bowlers Association

Twenty BIPOC youth bowlers represent the second class of scholarship winners.

Richmond, VA - The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) in partnership with Gazmine “GG” Mason are excited to announce the second class of PBA Jr. and Gazmine Mason Foundation Scholarship recipients.

In 2021, the PBA and Gazmine Mason came together to launch the PBA Jr. and Gazmine Mason Foundation Scholarship. The scholarship aims to advocate for more representation in the sport of bowling.

"I sincerely thank everyone who applied for the scholarship this year," Mason said. "I also thank the PBA and the Gazmine Mason Foundation for their efforts to provide an opportunity for kids of color. Growing up as a Black girl in the inner city and winning a free entry into a PBA Jr. event that offers a significant amount of SMART funds, would have meant the world to me when I was a youth bowler. So, I'm a little jealous of everyone who received a scholarship (smiles)."

This year, 20 bowlers representing 14 states are recognized based on their achievements in academics, creativity, and commitment to the sport of bowling.

These recipients have earned an entry into the PBA Jr. National Championship Regional Qualifier event of their choosing. Those tournaments will take place on the weekends of August 12-14 and August 19-21 in five locations across the country.

"To everyone who applied this year, whether you have bowled a PBA Jr. event or not, I wish you much success in the upcoming PBA Jr. National Regional Qualifier events and all of your future tournaments," Mason said. "No matter how your tournament goes, please keep showing up. Don't ever feel rushed by the world around you. You are exactly where you're supposed to be. You are all amazing. I am sending you lots of love and strikes. Good luck!"

PBA Jr. and Gazmine Mason Foundation Scholarship 2022 Recipients

  • Amari Thompson, SC
  • Arden Han-Wei, CA
  • Ashley Adams, GA
  • Braylen Thomas, MO
  • Cesar Padilla, AZ
  • Clyde Johnson, GA
  • Donald Holt III, GA
  • Gio Fleurimond, TX
  • Guyshon Moore, IL
  • Isaiah Armstrong, WI
  • Jedric Uganiza, CA
  • Jordan Peareara, RI
  • Kalee Stockstill, KS
  • Larielle Tharps, FL
  • MaKayla Hampton, IN
  • Maia Struble, AK
  • Neriah Ali, GA
  • Olivia Cameron, IL
  • Tyler Williams, IL
  • William Cunningham III, NJ

​​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.

Information regarding PBA Jr. National Championship Regional Qualifiers can be found here.

To register for PBA Jr. or learn more about the program, visit PBA.com/junior.

About the Professional Bowlers Association

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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