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Vandy Bowler Named USBC Stars of Tomorrow 1/17/2006 By Joyce Jocham Two high school seniors, Josie Earnest of Vandalia, Ill., and Eric Helmrich of Saint Leonard, Md., have been selected by the United States Bowling Congress as its 2006 Stars of Tomorrow.
The awards recognize their distinguished bowling performance, academic achievement, extracurricular activities and community involvement. In addition to their honorary titles, Earnest and Helmrich each receive $1,500 scholarships, renewable up to three years. Winner of USBC’s Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow award, the 17-year-old Earnest holds a 216 average and has two 300 games to her credit. As a member of Junior Team USA in 2005, she earned eight gold medals and one silver medal representing the United States in international competition. Earnest also is a two-time Illinois state amateur champion and three-time state winner in what is now known as the Pepsi USBC Youth Championships. “Academics mean just as much to me as bowling,” Earnest said. “My dad always told me that bowling could take me anywhere I wanted to go, and it has. As long as you have the heart and desire and put in the time, you can achieve great things.” A member of the National Honor Society at Vandalia Community High School, Earnest will attend Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., this fall to study chemical engineering and accounting and bowl on its NCAA varsity team.
Helmrich, winner of USBC’s Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow award, holds a 226 average, 299 high game and 800 series as well as high finishes in local, state and national tournaments. A USBC Junior Gold member, the 18-year-old has competed in what is now known as the USBC Junior Gold Championships each year since 2002 and with his teammates won the 2004 Dyno-Thane Team Championships, another Junior Gold national event. “My coach, James Janoff, has always been there for me,” Helmrich said. “He deserves a lot of the credit for my success in bowling and in life lessons.” Helmrich followed in his coach’s footsteps and earned certification as a USBC Level I coach. He also is an Advanced Placement scholar at Patuxent High School and plans to study engineering or computer technology at either the University of Maryland’s Baltimore County or College Park campus. “I believe the sport will continue to teach me new things about myself and others as I coach, participate and compete in college,” Helmrich added. The Alberta E. Crowe and Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow awards are named after two leaders who worked to increase opportunities for youth bowlers. As the president of the Women’s International Bowling Congress from 1960-81, Crowe was instrumental in the administration of the American Junior Bowling Congress. Hall was the executive director of youth bowling from 1962-85, first for the AJBC and later for the Young American Bowling Alliance. Applications for the 2007 Star of Tomorrow awards are available. Click here to view all of USBC’s national scholarship opportunities and download application forms. For more information, contact USBC’s SMART Scholarships department at (800) 514-BOWL, ext. 3168. |
