Their futures look as bright as the spotlight on a victory podium.
Four of the area’s most accomplished student-athletes were recent recipients of the Bucks County Roadrunners Club’s Great Strides Scholarship awards.
Central Bucks West High School’s George Dinka and Araceli Eason, along with Harry S Truman High School’s Iain Godbold and Villa Joseph Marie High School’s Madeline Heine each received a check for $2,500.
Tim Bulat of BCRR said each of these outstanding individuals was worthy of the club’s annual honors.
“The Great Strides Scholarship is one of the biggest ways in which the Bucks County Roadrunners is able to give back to the community,” Bulat said. “We, again, had a record number of applicants this year and it was great to read so many runners’ reflections on how they’ve connected running with facing challenges and helping their communities.”
Dinka, who will begin studies at Muhlenberg College in the fall, will be competing on the cross country and track teams.
In their letters of recommendation, Dinka’s middle school and high school coaches described how, as a student with autism, he grew into an inspirational leader on the team and developed confidence that extended beyond running.
Examples of that leadership were evident when Dinka went back to his middle school and gave an inspiring pep talk. In his application for the scholarship award, he wrote how confidence from running success contributed to “a sense of community and membership in the greater high school community.”
Eason is headed to North Carolina State University to study industrial engineering. An accomplished hurdler, Eason wrote on her letter of application that running has taught her that “obstacles are not meant to be avoided. They are meant to be faced with resilience and determinations.” At CB West, she was active in Campus Captains and Class Council.
Moravian University’s cross country team will find the talented Godbold on its roster this fall. Although he started out as a “shy” freshman at Truman, he developed into one of the team leaders. Coach Micah Wright says Godbold is a team leader who “notices when a teammate is struggling and offers encouragement without being asked.” Godbold will major in health sciences with plans to become a physical therapist.
“It really means a lot to me that my efforts have had a ripple effect,” Godbold said. “I’ve always been shy, so coming out of my shell for track and cross country was always a huge step. It was already enough to see everyone on my team look up to me, but this award is an added bonus. Hopefully, it inspires my teammates to know that there is always someone out there who can see your efforts.”
Heine, who was captain of VJM’s track team her senior year, will be studying neuroscience at the University of Michigan.
A coach for the Jems cited Heine for her “positivity and charm that has created such a wonderful culture and chemistry on the teams.”
BCRR created the Great Strides Scholarship program back in 2017-18. This is the first year that four winners were recognized for their accomplishments.
“These four winners especially stood out to the selection committee,” Bulat said. “We’re proud to recognize their accomplishments and are sure they’ll do great things in college and beyond, in some part because of their dedication to this sport.”
Race calendar
Saturday, July 4
44th annual Revolutionary Run 5K/10K, 7:30 a.m., Washington Crossing. Contact www.runsignup.com.
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