Carla M. Champagne Memorial Scholarship

Volunteering and having the opportunity to help others has been, and will continue to be, an endeavor that I work towards. As a baseball player, I know all about the importance of community and giving back to the people who value our efforts. At 16 years old, I worked as a camp counselor for an initiative known as “Summer Up”, a summer program funded by Mount Wachusett Community College in my home city of Gardner, MA. Alongside my younger brother, Danny, we worked with troubled youth providing them with food and keeping them engaged with an array of activities. I hosted various whiffle ball and kickball tournaments that were “hits” with the kids while my brother played basketball. On hotter days, we showed the kids how to play Uno and Yahtzee. It was a humbling experience that made me grateful for what I have in my life. Before I graduated high school, my best friend Jake assisted me in running a showcase for a local little league organization. The head coach adored us and the parents were amazed at how we worked with their kids. They were asking us questions about how to get better at baseball, what it takes to get to our level, and if we were ever going to the MLB. As an avid gym goer at 18, I told the kids that if they work hard in the classroom, the weight room, and become the best versions of themselves every day, anything is possible. I even had a 12 year old girl ask me if she’ll ever get a chance to play high school baseball. I told her, “outwork the boys who don’t want it as much as you, and you’ll be surprised at what you can achieve.” Her parents loved that. I’ll be graduating from Northern Vermont University Lyndon in 2024 with a bachelors in Sports Management, and I aspire to get my masters in Athletic Leadership. After my playing days are up, I want to coach baseball full time. I’m passionate about the game, and the impact is has on everyone who takes the field. I want to help young men and women by showing them that they can achieve greatness through hard work as well living a healthy and happy life. This is my mission, and it’s bigger than the game I love. Thank you for your time and consideration. Receiving this scholarship would be an honor.