Anthony wins prestigious award
Thursday, June 23, 2005 2:13 PM PDT
John Braese Argus Observer
ONTARIO
For the second year in a row, a local student has won the prestigious "Sammy Award."
JJ Anthony, a 2005 Ontario high school graduate, leaves today for Disney World. While there, Anthony and his parents will attend an awards banquet, preside as hosts of the park parade and be guests of the theme park for the weekend. Anthony will also receive a $7,500 scholarship and be featured in Friday's edition of "US Today," national newspaper, a future issue of "Sports Illustrated" and "ESPN Magazine."
Last year, Nyssa graduate Trent Holcomb received the same honor.
Nationally, over 71,000 applicants applied for the award. A panel of judges, including Andy Roddick, Jason Kidd, Brad Johnson, Mia Hamm, Tony Hawk and Michelle Kwan, reviewed and chose the 25 final recipients.
Anthony graduated from Ontario High School as valedictorian, leaving with a 4.01 GPA. A student body president, Anthony was a three-year starter in football, four-year starter in wrestling and a four-year member in track, throwing both discus and shot put, earning ten varsity letters.
"We were looking for well-rounded youth," Amy Debrozi, a "Got Milk" representative said Wednesday. "We wanted youth who excelled in academics, sports and community service. We want to highlight kids that have an overall healthy lifestyle."
According to Debrozi, the scholarship is now in its eighth year and the finalists represent a number of different sports and athletes from across the United States.
"JJ was very impressive," Debrozi said. "He just stood out in every way."
Anthony will be presented the award during a dinner hosted by Olympic swimmer Janet Evans, NBA player Donald Foyle and NASA astronaut Richard Linnehan. Anthony will also be inducted into the SAMMY Hall of Fame at the Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.
"I was on a scholarship web site and saw this," Anthony said referring to the scholarship. "I applied and was contacted by the "Got Milk" people who informed me of the award."
Asked what he planned on doing with the scholarship, Anthony stated he plans on attending the University of Pennsylvania in the fall.
"I wanted to attend an Ivy League school," Anthony said. "The University of Pennsylvania has a good academic reputation which is the main reason I chose it. I also looked at Notre Dame, Cornell and Gonzaga before deciding."
Last year's recipient, Holcomb, currently attends Eastern Oregon University where he also plays baseball.
