Sam Budnyk Scholarship Award

Congratulations Amanda Adams

The Sam Budnyk Scholarship Committee announced today that Amanda Adams of Atlantic Community High School is the winner of this years’ scholarship as the Student-Athlete of the Year in Palm Beach County.

In making the announcement, Committee Chair Dave McIntosh noted 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 and 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.

2008 Top 9 Finalists

Amanda Adams, Atlantic Community High School

Joseph Borick, Boca Raton Community High School

Mylo Cheng, Suncoast Community High School

Marcus DiLallo, Wellington Community High School

Leah Dirkse, The Benjamin School

Marc Hendel, Atlantic Community High School

Caitlin Prichard, Cardinal Newman High School

Elizabeth Rogers, Suncoast Community High School

Megan Siefker, Park Vista High School

About the Scholarship
The Sam Budnyk Scholar-Athlete Award, 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 forty-six years and Head Football Coach for forty-three of those years.

A college scholarship of a truly-extraordinary $5,000 is presented to the winner as a highlight of the Palm Beach Student Athlete Award.  Renewal awards for continuing years of college study are available to previous year winners who demonstrate success in academics and community service in college. In 2008 and beyond we will be awarding $5,000 each to a freshman, a sophomore, a junior and a senior – for a total commitment of $20,000 per year. Funds for the award are kindly donated by the Orange Bowl Foundation and individuals, and matched by Murray H. and Joanie M. Goodman Charitable Foundation.

Qualifications
To be eligible for consideration, nominees shall:
• be a graduating senior
• use the award within the college system the following academic year
• report a superior grade point average score and SAT or ACT score
• exhibit considerable proof of commitment to community
• 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. Relative success in athletics is
important but not of overriding significance

Nominations
Each high school in Palm Beach County, public or private, may nominate a maximum of two candidates. Schools should include any materials that the judges may find helpful in evaluating the nominee, such as specific examples of the student’s work, extracurricular activities, references from teachers or other community leaders, sports accomplishments, other associated volunteer or community activities. Submissions must include the official nomination form, and be signed and submitted by the School Principal and Athletic Director.

All nomination packages must be received by Friday, March 14, 2008

Mail packages to:
The Sam Budnyk Scholar Athlete Award
c/o Palm Beach County Sports Institute
1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 1410
West Palm Beach, FL 33401.

To download a nomination form click here

Judging
The Palm Beach County Sports Institute selects an independent, diverse and highly qualified panel of judges for the award. Our judges review the nomination packets of each candidate and independently vote for the top 10 nominees who are then invited to a 15-minute interview with the judges. The judges evaluate and independently score each scholar athlete who has been interviewed.

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2007 Sam Budnyk Scholar Athlete Award Winner

Samantha Gutierrez, Palm Beach Central HS

 

 

2007 TOP 12 Sam Budnyk Finalists

Joel Aliancy, Boynton Beach Community HS

J. Robert Bell, Cardinal Newman HS

Kyle Friend, Spanish River HS

Samantha Gutierrez, Palm Beach Central HS

Corinna Lorelli, Suncoast Community HS

Jamie Ann Loud, Jupiter Christian School

Kendra McCormick, Spanish River High School

Brenna McNiff, The Benjamin School

Danielle Medellin, Berean Christian School

Kyle Parish, The Benjamin School

Daniel Rush, Jupiter High School

Amanda Sulicz, Lake Worth Senior High School
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WINNER OF THE 2006

SAM BUDNYK SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

Danielle Bradley

King's Academy

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