Three South Bend area student-athletes recognized by IHSAA
Three South Bend-area athletes have received recognition from the Indiana High School Athletic Association this week for their academic and leadership abilities.
Saint Joseph senior Molly Bellia and Elkhart senior Ava Decker were two of 13 students in the state to receive the IHSAA/C. Eugene Cato Memorial Scholarship. Each student selected receives a $2,500 college scholarship through the IHSAA.
More: How a South Bend Adams student received a full-ride scholarship through golf caddying
"These well-rounded, positive role models have demonstrated excellence in academics, school and community involvement, character, sportsmanship, and citizenship," a press release from the IHSAA read.
Bellia is a standout tennis player for the Huskies, while Decker plays volleyball and track for the Lions. Bellia is committed to play tennis for the Naval Academy, while Decker is going to Saginaw Valley State University to play volleyball.
Congratulations to Molly Bellia on being named Valedictorian of the Class of 2024. Molly plans to study Chemistry at the United States Naval Academy and has aspirations of being a doctor.#WeAreSaintJoe pic.twitter.com/9V5lf1Y5lm
— Saint Joseph High School (@SaintJoeHigh) March 8, 2024
Also being recognized by the IHSAA is New Prairie sophomore Reed Robinson. The junior-to-be will be one of nine 11th graders on the IHSAA Student Advisory Committee in 2024-25, joining nine seniors-to-be who have been on the committee as juniors this year. Robinson is the first New Prairie student to be selected for this honor.
Robinson was nominated for the committee by his principal. More than 400 schools compete in the IHSAA; from there, 21 students are selected to interview to be on the committee. Ultimately, nine are selected for positions.
"With assistant commissioners Robert Faulkens and Kerrie Rosati administering, the SAC meets four times annually – twice each semester – and is responsible for hosting meetings with student peers at the Fall Area Principals Meetings; assisting with the awards ceremonies at IHSAA state championship events throughout the school year, planning and administering the annual IHSAA Student Leadership Conference and to engage in and support the activities of Special Olympics Indiana including the Unified Track & Field and Unified Flag Football State Tournaments," an IHSAA press release read.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Three South Bend area student-athletes recognized by IHSAA
