By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

BILL AND EDDYE WHITE SCHOLARSHIP

It is time to start applying for college scholarships if you are a senior and your goal is to continue your education following high school.

The Portage Foundation manages many scholarships in Portage County, including accepting applications.

The application process is open Jan. 1 to March 1.

One of the scholarships managed by the Foundation is the Bill and Eddye White Bowling Endowed Scholarship. White was the longtime owner of Spins Bowl, the former Twin Star Lanes, in Kent. His commitment to youth and high-school bowling was unwavering.

The scholarship was first awarded in 2010.

It was created for seniors who have been members of their high school varsity bowling teams.

Seniors at Rootstown, Crestwood, Garfield, Ravenna, Southeast, Streetsboro and Kent Roosevelt high schools are invited to apply for one of the four scholarships awarded. The approximate annual high school award is $500.

To be considered, the student must be a high-school senior currently on a high-school bowling team at one of the aforementioned schools and hold a 2.5 cummulative G.P.A. based on a 4.0 scale. The applicant should provide a copy of their high-school transcript, submit two letters of recommendation, with one letter from the bowling coach one letter from a teacher, submit an essay not to exceed 500 words describing how competitive bowling made an impact on the applicant’s life.

The scholarship applicant must enroll in a two-year technical school or four-year undergraduate college program.

Log one PortageFoundation.com for scholarship application information.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

Bill White was always supportive of youths in bowling and other endeavors.

When he started the scholarship, it was originally for youths in Ravenna, Kent and Rootstown, schools that he had a personal connection with since he lived in Rootstown, graduated from Kent Roosevelt and had many bowlers supporting the then named Twin Star Lanes in Kent from Ravenna.

The scholarship has now expanded to include the Portage County schools already named.

I was very fortunate to help him with the very first scholarships awarded prior to the Bill and Eddye White Scholarships falling under the Portage Foundation umbrella.

It was rewarding to see the first ones presented and the continuation of scholarships throughout the years as he encouraged both outstanding competition in high-school bowling and the possibility of continued education for athletes.

ROOTSTOWN WIN BY 28 PINS

The Lady Rovers toppled Boardman 2,239 to 2,211 at Spins Bowl and now are 9-2 for the season.

The 28-pin victory was a total team effort led by Olivia Davies 385 series, including a 210 high game and Valerie Derteen’s 177-344.

Anna Drago rolled the high-individual game a 203, but it was the consistency of the Rovers that earned the victory as they finished the three Bakers with a 193 game.

OHSAA SECTIONAL TOURNAMENTS

The Division I and Division II OHSAA Sectional Tournaments are the first stop for teams seeking a berth in the state tournament at Columbus.

Portage County teams in Division II will start their journey at Spins Bowl in Kent with boys teams competing on Feb. 6 and girls on Feb. 9.

Teams included in the Spins Bowl, Kent sectional include: Crestwood, Field, Garfield, Ravenna, Rootstown, Southeast and Akron Springfield.

Both the boys and the girls tournaments start at 10 a.m.

Division I teams begin their efforts to land at the state tournament the following weekend as Ravenna, Kent Roosevelt and Streetsboro boys and girls teams travel to Roseland Lanes in Oakwood to compete on Feb. 15.

Ticket information will be available on the link for OHSAA Tournament Tickets prior to the tournament.