A pair of outstanding athletes received a boost to their educations last week after being chosen as recipients of the Dan Snyder Memorial Scholarships.
Elmira Sugar Kings player Brent Freeman and Elmira District Secondary School graduate Melissa Blake were this year’s recipients of the $1,000 scholarships.
The awards go to students enrolled in accredited post-secondary institutions who demonstrate determination, desire, good sportsmanship and community involvement. The funds are deposited directly to the school they’re attending.
Freeman was the Sugar Kings’ star forward last season, scoring 30 goals and notching 46 assists in 50 games. Freeman has now graduated out of the Junior hockey system and is focusing on his studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, where he’s going into his third year of kinesiology.
Freeman was presented with his plaque Aug. 28 by Graham and LuAnn Snyder in the new Dan Snyder Memorial Arena.
Blake wasn’t on hand to receive her award; she’s currently at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, where she’s studying biology on a javelin scholarship. Blake was a five-sport athlete at EDSS – basketball, volleyball, slo-pitch, javelin and badminton – and received the school’s senior female athlete of the year award, as well as an award recognizing an outstanding contribution to Lancer athletics over five years.
The scholarships were created in memory of Dan Snyder, the Atlanta Thrashers forward and local hockey hero who was killed in a car accident in October 2003. The awards have been presented annually since 2004.
The scholarships are awarded to athletes from Woolwich Township in three categories: the Elmira Sugar Kings, Woolwich Minor Hockey and Woolwich community open. Freeman was the Sugar Kings recipient, while Blake received the community open award. There were no applications in the Woolwich Minor Hockey category this year.
