Deadline for 2013 Nominations is

4:00 Pm, Friday, April 19, 2013

Nominations cannot be accepted after this time.

Incomplete or late nominations will not be considered.

 

 For more information please call Kris Pursell at 561 233 3124

 

                                   

 

All nominations MUST be submitted on-Line

 

Recognizing the Outstanding Achievement of Palm Beach County Student Athletes

   Herman Castro, Seminole Ridge Community High School

Earns 2012 Sam Budnyk Student-Athlete of the Year Scholarship

  

 

(2012 Sam Budnyk Scholar Athlete Award Recipient  Herman Castro)

 WEST PALM BEACH, FL – The Sam Budnyk Scholarship Committee and The Orange Bowl Committee announced today that Herman Castro of Seminole Ridge Community High School is the 2012 winner of the Sam Budnyk Scholar-Athlete of the Year scholarship. He will be honored at a recognition dinner later this month.

Herman competed against 37 other nominees solicited from every public and private high school in Palm Beach County. Chair of the panel of judges, Dave McIntosh, said “Herman represents a highly qualified and very competitive group of nominees and finalists that excel in the combination of classroom excellence, in untiring and meaningful community service and in high-level athletic achievement. Palm Beach County takes great pride in our public and private schools, in their faculties and administrative leaders and, especially, in students like Herman Castro”.

 

In the academic realm, Herman ranks among the top of his peers. He received his high academic marks while undertaking a series of AP and Honors courses. His 3.56 GPA and 4.30 HPA place him in the top five percent of his class of more than 600 students. While most students find it time consuming to be involved in one National Honor Society, Herman has been active in five, serving as President in two of them Vice President in another. Appropriately, he earned the title of National Honor Society Member of the Year (2011-2012).

 

Herman’s resume is replete with accomplishments and involvement. He has been pivotal in his school’s Future Business Leaders of America chapter, serving as President and as Treasurer. In addition, Herman was elected as Treasurer of the Psychology Club for four years, Class Representative in Student Government (2010-2011) and Executive Board Parliamentarian (2011-2012) and more. He also served on the Varsity debate team.

 

Due to this extensive list of undertakings, Herman has been the recipient of several honors and awards. Some of these include receiving the Yale Book Award and being a nominee for one of the County’s Pathfinder Scholarships. Herman has established himself as a major contributor to our community. He has worked closely with Epona’s Path, a non-profit association dedicated to the prevention of inhumane treatment of horses. Herman has also coordinated several events, which include the following: Holiday Toy Drive, Acreage Fall Festival, Acreage Music and Chili Festival, Food for Mustangs, Army care package drive, Leukemia Society fundraisers and more.

 

Herman has also established himself in the athletic sphere. He was a member of Seminole Ridge Community High School’s varsity cross country team, as well as their track and field team. Herman was named Captain to both and currently holds the school record for the boy’s 4x800 relay. Additionally, he earned fourth place at a district track meet for the 4x800 relay.

 

In order to reach his goals of healing the sick and helping the poor, Herman will continue his academic career at the University of Florida. He will enroll in a pre-med curriculum with his sights set on graduate school. At that level he hopes to study biomedical engineering, neurosurgery, or oncology. Herman stated that his life’s work will be dedicated to helping those who cannot afford the medical attention they need and he will not give up until that goal is reached.

  

The Sam Budnyk Student-Athlete of the Year scholarship, established and first awarded in 2005, is presented annually to a graduating high school senior in a Palm Beach County public or private school, who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in academics, community service and athletics. An award of $5,000 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, other criteria and subject to funds availability.

 

 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.

 

Funds for the award are generously donated by the Presenting Sponsor of the Award, Orange Bowl Foundation and by individual and business donors. The Scholarship is administered by the Palm Beach County Sports Institute.

 

About the Palm Beach County Sports Institute

The Palm Beach County Sports Institute is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that provides local youth the opportunity to learn sportsmanship, teamwork and citizenship through sports. The Sports Institute also promotes character development through sporting activities, lifelong physical fitness, a drug-free lifestyle and safe and fun access to healthy activities. 

 

Qualifications

To be eligible for consideration, every nominee must:

• Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and superior SAT or ACT score.
• Be a graduating senior, nominated by his/her Principal and Athletic Director.
• Use the award at a college or university during the following academic year
• Exhibit proof of considerable commitment to the local community and Beyond 
• Compete successfully in one or more high school sports sanctioned by FHSAA .

Demonstrate that participation in athletics has been a positive influence on the nominee's personal and intellectual development.