Scholarships Strike Big: NYS Youth Bowlers Honored With $15,400 In Awards
Date Posted: June 25th, 2025
The New York State USBC is proud to announce the awarding of $15,400 in scholarships to outstanding youth bowlers for their achievements both on and off the lanes during the 2024–2025 season. These awards recognize not only athletic talent, but also academic excellence, leadership, and community engagement, highlighting the amazing youth bowlers across New York State.
In partnership with the New York State Bowling Proprietors Association (NYSBPA), this year's scholarship program reflects a shared commitment to supporting the next generation of bowlers and their educational aspirations. Scholarships were awarded through an inclusive and accessible online application process, which invited youth bowlers to respond to essay prompts, share their educational and community accomplishments, or simply submit a selfie that expresses their love for the sport.
“We are immensely proud of the dedication and passion demonstrated by our youth bowlers,” said Frank Wilkinson, NYS USBC Vice President and Chair of the NYS USBC Youth Education Services (YES) Committee. “Through their applications, these young athletes shared incredible stories of how bowling has influenced their lives, helping them grow as students, teammates, and leaders. Our continued partnership with the NYSBPA and the support of the NYS USBC Youth Leaders make this program possible and impactful.”
Bill Cornell, President of the New York State Bowling Proprietors Association, echoed this sentiment: “This program shows what is possible when organizations come together with a common purpose, to elevate our youth. We’re proud to support these deserving youth bowlers and help them achieve success beyond the lanes. Congratulations to all the winners.”
This year’s top honor, the Pat Zonneville Scholarship Award, was presented to Natalie Yale of Johnson City, NY. A standout student and athlete, Natalie ranks in the top 5% of her graduating class while taking college, honors, and AP-level coursework. She has made history as the first girl in Maine-Endwell High School history to bowl a perfect 300 game and is ranked the #1 girl’s bowler in New York State for 2024. Among her many accolades are Bowler of the Year (2024), multiple Youth Bowlers Tour podium finishes, and leadership roles on championship high school teams. Natalie will attend Hobart and William Smith Colleges this fall, where she will major in pre-medicine and continue competing at the collegiate level.
Here is the complete list of scholarship award recipients:
Graduating High School Senior Awards
- Natalie Yale, Johnson City - $4,000
- Isaac Rothman, Staatsburg - $3,000
- Jenna Kurtz, Newark Valley - $2,000
- Alexis Dievendorf, Delmar - $1,000
- Anna Kanakos, Taberg - $1,000
- Arabella Wood, Elmira - $1,000
- Eliana Occhino,Fulton - $1,000
Youth Spirit Awards - Grades 9 to 11
- Andrez Smith-Vasquez, Marlboro - $500
- Sky Corradino, Brewster - $250
- Paige Brooks, Newburgh - $150
- Lillian Robinson, Cohoes - $100
- Brooke Andresen, Delmar - $100
Youth Spirit Awards - Grades 5 to 8
- Avery Keller, Kingston - $300
- Gianna Pizzimenti, Staten Island - $150
- Bram Safer, Larchmont - $100
- Alexis Shaffer, Endicott - $100
Future Star Awards - Grades K to 4
- Xavier Agosto, Staten Island - $300
- Jaxson Sickler, Kingston - $150
- Domenico Pizzimenti, Staten Island - $100
- Hunter Benjamin, Cicero - $100
For more information about the scholarship program, please visit the New York State USBC website at bowlny.com/youth-scholarships.
