Amanda Adams, Atlantic High School, receives $5,000 Sam Budnyk Student-Athlete of the Year Scholarship

From left to right; David McIntosh, Chair of the Sam Budnyk Committee; Amanda Adams, winner of the 2008 Sam Budnyk Scholarship;
Gerry Baron, Palm Beach County Sports Institute Executive Director and Sam Budnyk, recently retired Athletic Director from Cardinal Newman.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – Last night, at the Governors Club, the Sam Budnyk Scholarship Committee and the Palm Beach County Sports Institute held an intimate dinner to honor and recognize Amanda Adams of Atlantic Community High School as this year’s winner of the Sam Budnyk Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award.

Committee Chair Dave McIntosh hosted the elegant dinner and gave praise to her exceptionally talented competitors. Noting that all finalists for the annual award presented through the Palm Beach County Sports Institute were “extremely talented and deserving of the award, but it was Amanda Adams who stood out above the rest. She truly exemplified what the Sam Budnyk Scholar-Athlete should be.” Amanda competed against 44 nominees and nine finalists.  McIntosh noted the Committee’s recognition that the extraordinary talents and accomplishments (in academics, community service and athletics) of this year’s nominees demonstrates that the youth of Palm Beach County will provide dedicated and competent local, national and international leadership for many years to come.

Adams has a 4.56 weighted GPA, is an International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate, and is very active in school clubs and activities. She is a National Honor Society Member for the past three years, President of the Spanish Honor Society and is a Student Government Member.  She has held positions as the Sophomore Class Representative, Junior Class Secretary, head of the Prom Committee, Safe School Ambassador, Debate Club member, Literary Club member and she has participated in many other school clubs and activities.

Amanda is an extremely talented and well rounded athlete as well. She is the captain of the varsity volleyball team, a member of the track team, a junior varsity soccer player and is on the wrestling team at Atlantic Community High School.  Amanda participates in out-of-school athletics too, playing on the Palm Beach Juniors Club 4-U Volleyball Team and is a Lake Worth Beach Volleyball player.

She is a member of the United States Equestrian Federation and has placed in several riding competitions, including dressage and show jumping.

If school activities and athletics weren’t enough, Amanda has donated hundreds of hours to the community. She has volunteered for organizations such as Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources, YMCA for “Healthy Kids Day”, John D. MacArthur State Park, International Coastal Cleanup, St. Jude’s Hospital, “Big Brothers, Big Sisters” and Locks of Love where she not only volunteered but also donated fifteen inches of her own hair to the cause.  

Amanda has also traveled to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico for Casa Hogar to help orphans with their daily chores and learn about their way of life and teach them about ours.  She is a Palm Beach Post Pathfinder Award finalist in the category of Foreign Language.

Amanda has high aspirations for the future. She plans to pursue a career in journalism, focusing on international affairs at the University of Florida.  Amanda also would like to coach High School Volleyball and share her knowledge and experience with others.

Sam Budnyk Student-Athlete of the Year Scholarship, established and first awarded in 2005, is presented annually to a high school senior in Palm Beach County. The student must have demonstrated outstanding achievement in academics, community service and athletics. The scholarship is administered and judged by a panel of diverse, competent and independent citizens and is named in recognition and celebration of the commitment, values and success of Sam Budnyk, Athletic Director at Cardinal Newman High School for nearly fifty years and Head Football Coach for forty-three of those years.

A college scholarship of $5,000 is presented annually to a graduating senior in a Palm Beach County public or private school who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in academics, community service and athletics.  $5,000 is awarded the first year and a subsequent $5,000 is available for three consecutive years for a total of $20,000 upon maintaining certain grade levels and other criteria subject to funds availability.

Funds for the award are generously donated by the Orange Bowl Foundation, by individual and business donors and with matching funds provided by the Joanie M. and Murray H. Goodman Charitable Foundation.