PCA Updates
Scholarship winners and their families joined PCA staff, Sagicor executives, PCA Board members, trainers, mentors, and County Athletic Directors: Lanness Robinson (Hillsborough County Public Schools), Matt Wicks (Pasco County Schools), and Jason Montgomery (School District of Manatee County), in suites donated by the Rays for an evening of student recognition, food and game watching…because BASEBALL IS FUN (and, Brett Phillips hit a home run!)
The night began with scholarship winners being treated to an on-field experience while joining Sagicor’s Bart Catmull, Chief Risk Officer, and Katie Owens, Assistant Vice President, for photo opportunities. An added bonus was watching Matt Wicks throw out the first pitch!
Following time on the field, scholarship winners rejoined guests in the suites to watch the start of the game by Detroit’s pitcher Alex Faedo, a former student-athlete from Hillsborough County Public Schools. In addition, winners spent time and took photos with Matt Silverman, President of The Tampa Bay Rays and PCA - Tampa Bay Board Chair.
And then the fun really began! Between innings, a total of $50,000 was awarded to 25 local student athletes with each receiving $2,000 towards college expenses. These students have shown a positive impact through sport on three levels: by making themselves, their teammates, and their sports better. Students participated in the year-long program that focuses on mentoring and networking opportunities as they transition from high school into college.
“The PCA Triple-Impact Competitor Scholarship is more than just a scholarship, it is a journey,” said Ashton Kitchiner, scholarship winner from Newsome High School. “The people you meet, experiences you have, and things you learn along the way make this scholarship second to none!”
PCA’s scholarship program is solely underwritten by Sagicor whose support of the program over the past six years has provided $300,000 in scholarships to Tampa Bay student-athletes.
To conclude the recognition event, PCA and scholarship winners received a ‘shout out’ on the Jumbotron during the bottom of the third inning from game announcers and film crew videoing students in the Left Field Terrace Suite.
FUN was had and PCA loved hosting this event to recognize deserving student athletes!
Check out some of our favorite photos!
Photos taken by Allan Mestel, Mestel Media, LLC
