E.J. Herrmann Scholarships Awarded

The East Utica Optimist Club announced today that Joseph Johnson, Samantha Stedman and Brian Reis were the 2007 recipients of the E. J. Herrmann Invitational Scholarships. The scholarships are each valued at $500, and are provided by the second oldest Cross-Country Invitational in New York State.

Johnson, who has lettered at Thomas R. Proctor High School all four years he has been there, has been a captain on the team since he was a sophomore. A volunteer with the Falling Leaves road race, Johnson has helped out with the Elementary School Cross-Country race during his senior year. Johnson is a Young Scholar at Thomas R. Proctor High School and is a member of the National Honor Society. He has been a volunteer at his church and throughout the community. His high school coaches are Dan Oliver and Jim Lasher.

Stedman, a senior at Sauquoit Valley High School, has participated in Cross-Country racing since she was a seventh grader. Stedman finished in third place in E.J. Herrmann Invitational in the Varsity B race in 2003, and won first place in 2004 and 2005. In 2005, Stedman set a personal record at the E.J. Herrmann Invitational with a time of 18.38. She also has two Section III Class C titles, one each in 2004 and 2005. In 2004, Stedman earned an individual Class C State Championship. A volunteer in numerous community events and for a number of community organizations, Stedman has been a part of the Run for the Rescue, Turkey Trot, Nutcracker Ballet, the Sauquoit Valley Arts and Crafts fair and the Relay for Life. Her high school coach is Steven Philpotts.

Reis, a senior at Cooperstown Central School, has been involved in Cross-Country racing since he was in seventh grade. A perennial member of the honor roll, Reis epitomizes the phrase Student Athlete. He excels in his academics while at the same time performing exceptionally on the track. A four-year letter winner, Reis was a member of the Section III Class D Championship team and the New York State Class D Championship team. He was named captain for his senior season. Reis is coached by Larry Smith and Jessie Ravage.

Past E. J. Herrmann Scholarship Winners

Ambruso, Amara
Arthur, Joshua
Chaple, Richard
Crossman, Eric
DeRocco, Patrick
DeRocco, Vincent
Drescher, Matthew
Fanelli, Kristi
Jackson, Jonathan
Marcellus, Adriane
Morris, Ryan
Newman, Kelli
Nicotera, John
Okanovic, Najda
Powell, John
Roth, David
Roth, Jim
Soblosky, Nicole
Syrotynski, John
Syrotynski, Russell
Vandewater, Lindsay
Washington, Reginald
Wetzel, Jonathan