More than 80 years ago, Carl E. Stotz founded the Little League® program, which has since grown into the world’s largest and most trusted youth sports organization. To honor Stotz and the game that has turned Little Leaguers® into big-league role models in communities around the world, the Little League International Board of Directors established the Carl E. Stotz Little League Baseball® Scholarship in 1994 to reward academic excellence of high school seniors within the Lycoming County community.   

Since it was first established, the scholarship program has provided nearly 300 local high school students with more than $270,000 in financial assistance towards higher education. Each year, scholarships are awarded to male and female graduates from high schools throughout Lycoming County to honor the memory of Little League’s founder and recognize his commitment to the development of the young people in the community.   

All graduating seniors in the top 25% of their class who have demonstrated good citizenship and whose spirit exemplifies effort, determination, and persistence in attaining the goal of higher education, are eligible to apply.   

Receiving the $750 are:  

• Isabelle Engel (Jersey Shore) 

• Lucy Tripp and Zachariah Blackwell (Loyalsock) 

• Emily Geiger and Jackson Springman (Montgomery) 

• Sophia Reid (St. John Newman)  

• Taylor Shannon and Kenneth Hampe (Muncy) 

• Kendall Cardone and Carter Sullivan (South Williamsport) 

• Jayden Ulmer and Robert Leiter (Williamsport) 

• Alaina Hicks and Trent Wetzel (Hughesville) 

Below are the 14 recipients of the 2025 Carl E. Stotz Little League Baseball Scholarships, along with an excerpt from their application essay on “The importance of Little League Baseball to me.” 

Isabelle Engel – Jersey Shore Area Senior High School   

Isabelle Engel worked hard both in and out of the classroom during her high school career. Academically, her resume is full of accomplishments, including being the elected president of the National English Honors Society, a member of the National Honor Society, and a member of Mu Alpha Theta (a National Honor Society for those interested in mathematics). Outside of the classroom, Engel competed on the varsity softball team, hosted softball lessons for youth athletes in her community, and volunteered at the Love Center, where she packs holiday meal boxes. In the fall, Isabelle will be attending Lycoming College where she will be playing collegiate softball.   

“I have learned many life lessons through my time in Little League, including sportsmanship, the importance of family, the inclusion of fun to the game, etc. It is vital for young children to know that failure is okay, and practice makes improvement, not perfection.”   

Lucy Tripp – Loyalsock Township High School  

When Lucy Tripp was not in the classroom, she could be found on the volleyball court, playing with the Loyalsock’s symphonic band, participating in one of the many clubs she is in, including Key Club, Interact Club, and the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), or adding to her more than 200 hours of community service. Highlights of Tripp’s high school career include two years in the National Honor Society and National Business Honor Society, placing sixth at the FBLA State Leadership Conference and being named FBLA Chapter President, and serving as her Class Treasurer for all four years. In the fall, Tripp will attend the University of Pittsburgh to study nursing.   

“Little League is essential to the childhood experience because it goes beyond learning the game of baseball or softball. Little League is rooted in resilience, teamwork, and most importantly, building a community. When parents sign their child up for Little League, they know they are giving their kids a place to be able to grow and be themselves while also teaching them core values for life.  

Emily Geiger – Montgomery Junior/Senior High School   

Throughout her four years in high school, Emily excelled both in her academics and in her extracurriculars. Ranked in the top 10 of her class, Geiger is a member of the National Honor Society and has been listed on the Distinguished Honor Roll every quarter. She competed as a varsity soccer player and cheerleader all four years and performed in both concert and marching band. Driven by her desire to give back to the community, outside of the classroom, Geiger has volunteered at youth cheer camps, has placed flags on veterans’ grave sites with the American Legion, worked as a Red Cross blood drive volunteer, and has created Christmas boxes for children in need. In the fall, Emily will attend Marywood University.   

“Little League is fundamental to the childhood experience today and in the future for kids all around the world. Little League serves communities by bringing together children, parents, and volunteers from all over. This environment fosters ideals of community and collaboration between young athletes as they not only learn to play baseball but also how to work with others.”  

Sophia Reid – St. John Newman Regional Academy  

Not only is Sophia Reid a three-sports athlete – playing basketball, soccer, and softball for at least three years of her high school career – but she was also an active member of multiple academic clubs including Key Club (Vice President), National Honors Society (Secretary), National Art Honors Society (Vice President), Students Against Destructive Decisions, or SADD, and Force for Good. In the community, Reid has given her time as a vacation bible school volunteer at St. Boniface church, a volunteer at sauerkraut and spaghetti dinners at St. Luke Church, and as a tutor. In the fall, Reid will attend the Pennsylvania College of Technology.   

“The Little League program is so important to me because it gave me so many memories and friendships that mean a lot to me. I have personally made friends with some of the players from previous years and still keep in touch with them, which goes to show how impactful this experience is.”  

Taylor Shannon – Muncy Junior/Senior High School   

During her four years at Muncy High School, Taylor Shannon has been active as a three-sport athlete, club member, and volunteer in the community. For at least three seasons, Shannon competed on the varsity tennis, softball, and basketball teams, served as a volunteer coach for the junior high girls’ basketball team, participated in the weightlifting club, and worked as the student athletic trainer. Shannon was also a member of the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), the Student Advisory Council, the prom committee, and the National Honor Society. In the community, Shannon volunteers at the Lycoming County SPCA and as a Little League Softball® umpire. Shannon will continue her education at Lock Haven University in the fall.   

“Playing on a Little League team allows a child to see how a community will show up to support them and give back, as adults and old students assist players on these teams to further the growth of baseball and softball. It helps a child develop emotionally as they learn to step out of their comfort zone and try to learn new skills while embracing the thrill of victory and the mental toughness of defeat.”   

Kendall Cardone – South Williamsport High School  

In addition to being a leader on the softball field, where she served as captain, Kendall Cardone was an active member of the varsity volleyball team, select and district choir, theater, and the Kindness Rocks club. In her role as a food service host at UPMC, Cardone is consistently recognized by patients for her kindness and ability to provide comfort during hard times. In the fall, Cardone will continue her education at Lycoming College.  

“The game of Little League is ambitious and fun, whether winning or losing, players are taught the beauty of sportsmanship. It is one of the most important aspects of the game and life. Learning the ability to accept losing, respecting the other competitors and players, being proud of others, and overall representing a good attitude even through personal struggle.”   

Jayden Ulmer – Williamsport Area High School   

Sitting in the top 5% of her class, Jayden Ulmer was inducted into the National Honor Society at the end of her junior year. In addition to academic accomplishments, Ulmer excelled musically, as well, playing the violin for the school orchestra and the Strolling Strings, a local youth orchestra modeled after the United States Army’s Strolling Strings. Ulmer will continue her education at Penn State University’s Altoona campus in the fall.   

“The game of Little League is ambitious and fun, whether winning or losing, players are taught the beauty of sportsmanship. It is one of the most important aspects of the game and life. Learning the ability to accept losing, respecting other competitors and players, being proud of others, and overall representing a good attitude even through personal struggle.”  

Alaina Hicks – Hughesville Junior/Senior High School 

When Alaina Hicks was not playing varsity soccer or winning a girls’ wrestling match, she filled her schedule with Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), serving as secretary for the National Honors Society and for her graduating class, and volunteering with the Big Brother Big Sister program. Hicks is also the co-founder of the Community Service Club, which created opportunities for students to volunteer within their community at events like the local easter egg hunt, cemetery clean-up days, Hughesville alumni banquets, and the Nurse Family Partnership Picnic. In the fall, Hicks will attend Swarthmore College.   

“Looking ahead into the future filled with computer screens all around, Little League will serve as a way to get kids outside, active, and have fun with their friends. At the end of the day, Little League isn’t just about baseball, but being prepared to step up to the plate in their own lives.”   

Zachariah Blackwell – Loyalsock Township High School   

Zachariah Blackwell moved to the area just three years ago, and ever since, he has gone above and beyond both in the classroom and on the field. Whether he is solving high-level calculus problems in AP Calculus BC or working at Johnson’s Cafe, Blackwell’s work ethic shines through it all. Blackwell also committed to serving his community, whether that is on the court as a helping coach for Jersey Shore Basketball or simply helping out his neighbor with yard work, showcasing his ability to balance the demands of rigorous academics, extracurriculars, and two part-time jobs. Additionally, Blackwell was a dedicated member of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), where he was awarded the opportunity to attend the state competition in his first year as a member of the club. Blackwell will attend Penn State University in the fall to pursue chemical engineering.   

“As Little League keeps growing all over the world, its lessons remain invaluable. It provides kids with a wholesome, safe environment in which to learn skills, make friends, and build character while preparing them for success both on and off the diamond.”   

Jackson Springman – Montgomery Junior/Senior High School 

Over the past four years, Jackson Springman has been a dedicated and dependable leader both in the classroom and on the golf course. Springman has displayed numerous leadership skills as an asset to leading the golf team to winning the Mid-Penn Conference Championship two years in a row and serving as the treasurer for his school’s Future Farmers of America program. Outside of school, Springman is a dedicated member of his church and community. Springman can be found helping at vacation bible school, volunteering as an usher for theatrical plays, and helping retrieve supplies for church events. In addition, Springman volunteers at his local Little League as an umpire. Springman finds joy in helping because he knows that his help makes things easier for others. Springman will be attending Bloomsburg University in the fall to continue his education.   

“The experience that this place gives is something that kids will never forget. From playing on the fields that the players dream of every single day to playing kids from all around the world, Little League gives kids the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than themselves.”   

Kenneth Hampe – Muncy Junior/Senior High School   

Kenneth Hampe is a standout player on the football field, leading his team as captain for two seasons and being named an all-state player twice. His excellence is also showcased in academics, as well as being a member of the National Honor Society, and he has been named to the Pennsylvania Football News Academic Gold Team four times. According to his teacher, Hampe has never been one to shy away from challenging material, rather, he doubles his efforts to overcome the challenges that come with AP Computer Science Principles and AP Calculus AB. Hampe has proven himself to be a strong leader in his community and leading by example, whether that is helping younger players develop or encouraging older ones to reach their full potential. When Hampe is not in the classroom, one can find him officiating youth Muncy basketball games for the Muncy Basketball Association or helping organize a youth football lineman camp over the summer. Hampe will continue his academic and athletic career at Lock Haven University to study accounting and play football.   

“The value that Little League offers are in its ability to teach teamwork, discipline, and resilience, which are stepping stones to personal growth. As children work together towards a common goal, they learn how to collaborate with others, building their social skills and problem-solving.”  

Carter Sullivan – South Williamsport Junior/Senior High School 

As a four-year member of the varsity soccer team and Key Club, Carter Sullivan has found his place on and off the field. Sullivan served as a member of the Mini-Thon Club and Cinema Club during his high school career. Furthermore, Sullivan has represented South Williamsport as a member of the Track and Field team and wrestling team. According to his teacher, Sullivan refuses to settle for mediocrity and strives to produce quality work through his efforts and dedication. He will continue his education at Misericordia University in the fall.   

“Not only does it bring kids in our community together, but it brings people from all over the world together at the Little League World Series. Kids from around the world come here, to South Williamsport, to come together as a team and win it all. Not just for themselves, but for each other.” 

Robert Leiter – Williamsport Area High School   

Not only has Robert Leiter found success as a member of the Wind Ensemble, Millionaire Big Band, and Marching Millionaires, but he’s also a standout student. Ranking in the top five of his class at Williamsport High School, Leiter is a leader in the classroom and on the practice field. Leiter has tallied a number of music accomplishments, including multiple first-chair roles and first-place division finishes at the Cavalcade of Bands Championships in 2022 and 2024. Outside of his music career, Leiter is a four-year member of the Model UN Club, where he was awarded the best delegation at the 2024 PCT Mock Constitutional Convention and runner-up chair delegate at the Bloomsburg Model UN competition. In his community, Leiter has served in multiple volunteer roles at his church as a Sunday School teacher and vacation bible school leader. Leiter will continue his studies at Lafayette College this fall.   

“The Little League experience is so important to anyone involved because it embodies what a childhood experience should be. More than anything, it creates a community for kids to be a part of something that makes them into respectful, cooperative, and dedicated human beings.”   

Trent Wetzel – Hughesville Junior/Senior High School  

Ranked in the top 20 in his class, Trent Wetzel was a member of the National Honor Society, AP Biology Club, Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA), and the concert and marching bands. A two-sport athlete, Wetzel, has been instrumental on the Hughesville varsity football and baseball teams, leading them to playoffs and a baseball district title in the 2022-2023 season. Outside of the classroom, Wetzel is a dedicated member of Lycoming Valley Baptist Church, teaching the three- and four-year-old class on Sundays. He is described as a compassionate leader who has a servant’s heart. In the fall, Trent will attend Gettysburg College.   

“When I was a kid, playing baseball at the Little League fields was the best part of my spring and summer. It is where I found some of my best friends and where I made some of my best memories. It taught me how to be a good sport, even when things did not go my way. It taught me how to always give my best.”   

About the Carl E. Stotz Little League Baseball® Scholarship 

The scholarships perpetuate the memory of Little League’s founder, Carl E. Stotz, recognizing his commitment to the development of youth in Lycoming County. The year following his passing, in 1993, the Little League International Board of Directors established this scholarship program to recognize Mr. Stotz’s commitment to the local, Lycoming County community, and commemorate his vision in creating a community-based organization to provide a competitive, healthy outlet for children to learn the values of teamwork, dedication, and sportsmanship. The Stotz Scholarship recognizes high school seniors from Lycoming County school districts who excel in academics and citizenship. In order to be considered, a graduating senior must be in the top 25% of their class at one of the nine Lycoming County high schools. In addition to academics, the applications are reviewed on merits of good citizenship and whose spirit exemplifies effort, determination, and persistence in attaining the goal of higher education. Each interested senior submits two letters of recommendation and an essay on why Little League Baseball and Softball become so valued in communities around the world. Applications for the scholarship are generally accepted between December and March and are awarded based on the applications received. 

“One thing is for sure: he can score goals. That is a massive talent you cannot give to people — right foot, left foot, this guy is an unbelievable finisher, inside and outside the box.” — Arsene Wenger, Arsenal manager, 2010.

As the judge imposed a four-year prison sentence, the former footballer standing in the dock bowed his head. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas stood impassively, hands behind his back, flanked by two security officials.

He had once been a brilliant prospect for Arsenal and went on to become an accomplished centre-forward representing other clubs in England, Scotland and around the world.

Now, though, he was led away as an international drug smuggler who had tried to bring 60 kilograms (132lb) of cannabis, with a street value of £600,000 ($815,000) into England, duping his girlfriend into being one of his couriers.

His playing career is finished, aged 34, and that was described by his barrister, Alex Rose, as an “absolutely seismic shock” for a man who had “succumbed to temptation in a catastrophic error of judgment”.

But what led Emmanuel-Thomas to criminality? And how did a man with a 16-year career as a professional footballer — described in court as having led an “utterly law-abiding life” — find himself in this position?

Temptation, mainly — but also “stupidity”, by his own admission, and a level of financial hardship that demonstrates, perhaps, how the life of a footballer below Premier League level is not always as lucrative as many people believe.

Emmanuel-Thomas had blown his career earnings, the court was told, and was no longer attracting the big contracts that came earlier in his life. At the time of his arrest, he was earning £600 a week, plus bonuses, at Greenock Morton in the Scottish Championship, the second division of the game in Scotland.

“It is clear this (crime) was about money, despite you being in a position where you had the privilege of playing football as a living,” the judge, Alexander Mills, told him.

“It is through your own actions that you will no longer be known for being a professional footballer. You will be known as a criminal — a professional footballer who threw it all away, and put others at risk of imprisonment, in pursuit of money.”

It is 16 years since Emmanuel-Thomas captained Arsenal to a 6-2 aggregate win against Liverpool in the FA Youth Cup final.

Arsenal’s team for that two-leg contest included Jack Wilshere, Francis Coquelin and Henri Lansbury, all future Premier League players. Yet it was the boy known as “JET”, after his initials, who stood out — tall, imposing and broad-shouldered, scoring in each round and seemingly destined for stardom. Some of the Liverpool players refused to believe he was only 18.

Emmanuel-Thomas had got his first call-up to Arsenal’s first-team squad at age 17, and there were almost two years when the teenager trained under manager Arsene Wenger’s watchful eye.

Perhaps the truth, however, is that Emmanuel-Thomas, in pure sporting terms, has always been something of a puzzle. He was too good for Arsenal’s reserves, yet not quite good enough for their first team. Then, having moved away from the north London club, there were times when various managers with other teams saw him as an elegant frustration — likeable, talented and brilliant on his day, but falling short, ultimately, of being the player he was expected to be.

At Arsenal, he played in every outfield position bar right-back for the youth and reserve teams. Steve Bould, a first-team coach and a legendary figure at the club from his own playing days, had wanted to turn the lad into a centre-half. Wenger, however, made it clear he saw Emmanuel-Thomas as a striker, just as the player did himself.

Emmanuel-Thomas, centre left, captained an Arsenal team including Jack Wilshere, left, to 2008-09 FA Youth Cup final success (Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

It was never going to be easy, though, for any player to break into that first team while Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie were on the scene. Even after Henry moved on to Spanish side Barcelona in summer 2007, the competition was fierce.

“It was a tough period because, at the time, the attacking players at Arsenal were immense,” Emmanuel-Thomas told The Athletic in 2021. “We still had Van Persie, Andrey Arshavin, Theo Walcott, Carlos Vela, Nicklas Bendtner. After those guys, I was the next choice. I’d already bypassed all the players from my year, and two years above me, in the academy but it was difficult to get (first-team) game time.”

In court, his legal team talked about his criminal record being “something he will have to live with, and the feeling of shame, for the rest of his life”.

What can also be said with certainty, however, is that — even ignoring, for one moment, the events that brought him to Chelmsford crown court in Essex, east of London — this is a story of what might have been.

“Arsene Wenger thought he could go to the very top with Arsenal,” says Steve Cotterill, who managed Emmanuel-Thomas at Bristol City in the English third tier from 2013-15. “So, no, he didn’t achieve his full potential. But there are so many players who I’ve seen over the years like that, so he wouldn’t be different to a lot of them.”

After deciding to leave Arsenal in 2011 following a series of loans to clubs in the second-tier Championship, Emmanuel-Thomas had two seasons in that division with Ipswich Town, and was rewarded for his gamble by playing 42 of their 46 league games in his first season. The 2013 move to Bristol City came next, and it was there that he played arguably the best football of his career.

“I knew straight away that he had great ability,” says Cotterill. “He could go on some of the best 70-yard runs you’ve ever seen in your life. He could beat five players on those runs. He was a really powerful boy, he had a great left foot and a great understanding of the game for someone so young.”

Was he a popular member of the dressing room? All the evidence says that, yes, he was liked and respected by his team-mates at all his clubs.

“JET was always a big character, always smiling,” says Aaron Wilbraham, another City striker from that time. “He was good with the older lads, the younger lads — it didn’t matter to him. He was a friend to everyone, including me, which he didn’t have to be, considering I was his competition.”

Emmanuel-Thomas played some of his best football at Bristol City (Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

Staff at Arsenal took pride in seeing one of their academy graduates making a decent career for himself in the lower divisions of the game. Yet the player was held back at times because of weight and other fitness issues and that, perhaps, was the first indication he was not taking his football as seriously as he should have been.

“Because I was nearly 35, I was brought in to push JET on,” says Wilbraham, who joined from the Premier League’s Crystal Palace. “I remember Steve (Cotterill) pulling me in on my first day and saying, ‘Jay has got unbelievable ability, but he needs a bit more of a professional attitude, like you — I think you’ll be a good marker for him, but push him.’

“I think Jay struggled because he was one of those lads that carried a bit (of weight) anyway. He probably never bought into the diet side of things or tried to have a summer where he properly went for it and was like, ‘Right, I’m going to train all summer, strip down and go back in pre-season an absolute monster.’

“If he had done that, I think he would have been playing in the Premier League, because that was how good he was.

“He could have been unbelievable because of the ability he had — miles more ability than me, in his feet and his vision. Some of the stuff he used to do… even his penalties, when he used to walk up really slowly and look at the goalkeeper. He used to have the goalkeepers out after training for ages, trying just to save one.”

Emmanuel-Thomas moved on to Queens Park Rangers in the Championship as a free agent in summer 2015, shortly after helping Bristol City win the League One title. During three years with QPR, he also had loan spells with fellow EFL sides Milton Keynes Dons and Gillingham without ever replicating the form that brought 21 goals in his first season at Bristol City.

Although it was not mentioned in court, he also had 15 months out of the game when a proposed transfer to a Chinese club had to be abandoned in 2020 because of the outbreak of Covid.

Then, in the past five years, he has played briefly in Thailand for PTT Rayong and then in Scotland with Livingston, Aberdeen (both in the top-flight Premiership) and Greenock Morton, either side of a brief stint in India with Jamshedpur and nine games for Kidderminster in England’s fifth-tier National League.

One finish, in particular, for Livingston against Hamilton Academical in March 2021, is a reminder of his eye for the spectacular: flicking the ball up, with his back to goal, then firing a swivelling volley into the roof of the net.

‘That’s magnificent from the man they call Jet’

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas scored an audacious volley in Livingston’s 2-1 win against Hamilton Academical pic.twitter.com/fZoXJig60Z

— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) March 15, 2021

It was voted Livingston’s goal-of-the-season award and was likened to his former team-mate Henry’s famous volley for Arsenal against Manchester United in 2000. “Proud of this one,” Emmanuel-Thomas wrote on his Twitter page — an account that, noticeably, introduced him as an “entrepreneur” rather than a footballer. 

One of the more shocking parts of this court case concerns the way Emmanuel-Thomas tricked his girlfriend into being a part of his criminal operation.

Raised in south London, by Caribbean parents, Emmanuel-Thomas was on a six-month contract at Greenock Morton when the police arrived outside his house on September 18 last year.

As he ran out for a game away to Queen’s Park four days earlier, the former England Under-19 international must have known the law was about to catch up with him. His final match as a professional footballer — Morton announced his sacking on September 19 — ended in a 1-0 defeat. Emmanuel-Thomas was substituted after 65 minutes.

On September 2, Border Force officers had stopped two women at London Stansted Airport. One was the player’s 33-year-old partner, Yasmin Piotrowska, a fitness trainer from Kensal Green, north-west London. The other was her friend, Rosie Rowland, 29, from Chelmsford.

Detectives discovered via WhatsApp messages and voicenotes that Emmanuel-Thomas had persuaded them to travel to Thailand and act as couriers in return for £2,500 in cash and an all-expenses-paid trip, flying in business class via Dubai.

The women had been told it was gold they were bringing back. Unknown to them, it was actually cannabis, a class-B drug under UK law, vacuum-packed inside four suitcases. Each case had Apple AirTags to make sure the drugs weren’t lost.

Emmanuel-Thomas was arrested and, on his way to custody, he told officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA): “I just feel sorry for the girls.”

Yet he continued lying to Piotrowska after she had been arrested, sending her a WhatsApp message with instructions to “delete everything from our chats if you can … this is impossible, I’ve never been involved in anything like this in my life. You know it should be only gold and cash.”

The player deleted his own messages, disposed of his phone and bought a replacement to cover his tracks. After being arrested, he refused to answer questions from the police. Then, in his first series of court appearances, he denied any wrongdoing, insisting he was innocent and would fight the charges.

In reality, he had carried out “extensive research” to set up the operation and had even arranged a dummy-run two months earlier to make sure everything went smoothly. Detectives believe his connections with the criminal underworld in Thailand may have begun during his 2019 spell there playing for PTT Rayong.

“Organised criminals like Emmanuel-Thomas can be very persuasive and offer payment to couriers,” says David Philips, the NCA’s senior investigating officer. “But the risk of getting caught is very high and it simply isn’t worth it.”

The two women had the criminal charges against them dropped at a court hearing last month, in which the prosecution accepted they had been duped and Emmanuel-Thomas changed his plea to guilty. Piotrowska dabbed her eyes with tissues. Rowland could be seen shaking her head in apparent disbelief. A month on, a tearful Piotrowska was back in court on Thursday to see Emmanuel-Thomas sentenced.

“Most of the boys (at Bristol City) would be amazed at what’s happened,” says Cotterill. “If you’d asked me, ‘Do I think he would have got involved in anything like what’s gone on?’, no, I wouldn’t. He was an easy-going, laid-back character. That’s why I think this comes as a shock to probably everybody.”

Cotterill and Emmanuel-Thomas after Bristol City won the EFL Trophy final in 2015 (John Walton – EMPICS, via Getty Images)

Will Emmanuel-Thomas have to spend the full four years behind bars? No. He has been on remand in prison since he was arrested and the judge told him he would have to serve 19 months in total before being released on licence, depending on good behaviour. The court was told he had already established himself as a mentor to younger inmates inside Chelmsford prison.

In a letter to the judge, the footballer described his arrest, and everything that had happened since, as “the most painful and eye-opening experience of my life”.

It was the hardest letter he had ever had to write, he stated, explaining how he had let down his family and friends, as well as everyone he knew in football, including the supporters of the clubs where he had played.

He went on to talk about his deep shame, as a dad-of-two, bearing in mind he had looked upon his own father as a role model who led him away from temptation. His daughter had visited him in prison and the former Arsenal rising-star explained how “that broke me — I never wanted her to see me in that light”.

(Top photos: Getty Images; design: Dan Goldfarb)

As time moves on, youth sports continue to get more and more expensive.

The effect has been felt in the youth tumbling, acrobatics, cheer and gymnastics scenes, with many families being priced out by soaring costs.

Now, children in Cabazon can take tumbling, acrobatics and cheer classes at an affordable price, thanks to the Southern California Association.

The Southern California Association’s tumbling and acrobatics, and tumbling and cheer classes are hosted every Wednesday at the James A. Venable Community Center in Cabazon. For just $10 a month, or a slightly higher fee for a la carte classes, local youth can participate.

The association is a member of American Youth Cheer and the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU).

Toddlers ages 2 and 3 learn pre-tumbling and movement, children ages 4 to 6 begin practicing basic tumbling and movement, and kids ages 7 and older can take rhythmic gymnastics, baton twirling, cheer, acrobatic gymnastics and team gym.

To help keep the costs low, the Southern California Association periodically receives grant funding to be able to purchase uniforms, give discounted rates and pay to enter competitions.

Ariel Armstrong, program coordinator and head of management for the Southern California Association, said the low costs are maintained to help the community.

“We want to do something for the community, so that’s what we’re doing,” Armstrong said. “We aren’t jacking our rates up like people are doing everywhere, and a lot of families just can’t afford to spend $500 a month. We’re hearing horror stories from parents.”

All of the coaches who run the classes are vetted, CPR and safety certified professionals. As with any sport, the goal of the classes is to help children improve, but at the Southern California Association’s classes, coaches put an emphasis on creating good teammates.

“Our coaches actually ask the children, ‘Who’s the best here?’” Armstrong said. “They point to the one that maybe can do the no hand cartwheel or some fancy trick, and we say ‘Nope. Who’s the best here?’ And then they’re like, oh, the one that’s the best is the one who uses their manners and cares about their teammates.”

Armstrong said no children are excluded from the classes if they want to participate, including boys. She said many gymnastics coaches tend to pick favorites based on looks and skill level.

“What we do is we take everyone they don’t,” Armstrong said. “We teach the kids that everyone’s important…and that you guys are all special. We teach them a motto that says, ‘My goal is not to be better than anyone else, but to be better than I used to be.’”

For more information about the Southern California Association’s tumbling, acrobatics and cheer classes, call 951-777-8326.

Over 250 participants laced up for 5K through Tin City, raising funds in support of local parks and recreation

TEMPLETON — Over 250 community members laced up their running shoes for the 9th Annual Templeton Beer Run on Saturday, May 31. Hosted in collaboration by the Templeton Recreation Foundation (TRF) and the Templeton Community Services District’s Recreation Department (TCSD), the lively event started and ended at BarrelHouse Brewing Company in Paso Robles’ Tin City.

Participants ranged in age from 5 to 76 and included everyone from competitive runners to stroller-pushing parents and proud dog owners. Adults over 21 enjoyed a .5 oz beer taster at the start line and a refreshing pint at the finish. Live music and an opportunity drawing at BarrelHouse Brewing Co. Amphitheater kept the celebration going long after the race ended.

“It was just 250 people and probably 20 plus volunteers just enjoying themselves and being happy to be out there and enjoying the day,” said Mel Johnson, Recreation Supervisor for TCSD.

Johnson, who has served with the department for over 20 years, noted that the event not only supports local recreation but also brings the community together in a powerful way.

“The department will use [the funds] to offset costs for future events and youth sports programs and help put money into the parks and updating those,” Johnson shared. “The [TRF] will use [the funds] for whatever they see fit that promotes recreation programs and facilities in Templeton, which typically come indirectly right back to the Templeton department.”

“[The funds] also help with scholarships. A lot of the fundraising [TRF] goes towards scholarships and making sure that every child in Templeton who wants to participate in any youth sport activity gets to do so regardless of their ability to pay,” Johnson added.

The Templeton Recreation Foundation, a nonprofit organization, and the Templeton Community Services District split the proceeds from the event evenly. While final figures were still being tallied, last year’s similar turnout raised about $10,000.

“I and many others thought that it was a very successful event,” shared Honorary TRF Director Geoff English. “The Templeton Beer Run is a cooperative effort between the Templeton Community Services District, Recreation Department and the Templeton Recreation Foundation (TRF). TRF is a nonprofit organization, according to our website, our mission is: To focus public attention on parks and recreation programs, facilities and services and stimulate gifts, endowments, and bequests to develop and maintain parks, sports fields.”

The TCSD is currently in the permitting process for some park improvements at Everest Sports Park.

Johnson shares, “We’ll be hopefully widening the entrance into Everest, which is our primary sports park … allowing for an ADA accessible walking pass into the park and then a pass around the park and hopefully putting in a small playground.”

All registrants were entered into the Runner’s Opportunity Drawing, which offered prizes such as local restaurant gift cards, disc golf passes, and camping adventures. Participants also received commemorative medals and, for those who registered early, race T-shirts.

Race day registration opened at 7 a.m., with the official start at 8 a.m. The 5K course wound through the scenic streets of Tin City and culminated in a community party fueled by cheers, live music, and shared celebration.

Johnson was thankful that the entire community came together to make the run successful. “Big kudos to the REC Foundation and all the volunteers. Kudos to Laurie Ion for securing all of those raffle items … and BarrelHouse for, you know, just continued support and all their donations. It’s amazing to me when a community of people come together to create an event like this.”

For more information about upcoming events or to support the Templeton Recreation Foundation, visit templetonrecfoundation.org

Related

The 11th Annual Doug Fodrey Memorial Youth Fishing Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at the youth pond at Beaver Creek State Park, 12013 Echo Dell Road, East Liverpool. The event, sponsored by the Friends of Beaver Creek State Park (FBCSP), is for young people 15 and under. Fishing rods and bait are provided by FBCSP and Kevin Fodrey. Fodrey and friends will be on hand to assist young fishermen and offer information on fishing. Adults are welcome to attend to assist children who are fishing, but they are not permitted to fish in the youth pond. There will be door prize drawings at 2 p.m. for participants. Winners must be present to accept their prize. The fishing event coincides with the monthly Village Comes Alive in Pioneer Village. The FBCSP will be on hand to man the historic buildings, demonstrate pioneer arts and crafts and grind grain in Gaston’s Mill. The Trading Post will also be open.