The Wetumpka Herald Online

Dixie Youth awards scholarships

Wetumpka Dixie Youth League officials stand with the league’s 2006 scholarship recipients, from left, deputy commissioner Curt Johnson, Greg Johnson, Brooke Ross, deputy commissioner H.R. Theriot and commissioner Ricky Luster. -- Herald Photo/Kyle Austin

By Kyle Austin-Sports Editor

Wetumpka Dixie Youth League held its closing ceremonies Saturday morning, but the league’s commissioners had one more surprise in store.

On Monday afternoon, WDYL presented a $1,000 scholarship each to Wetumpka High School’s Greg Johnson and Brooke Ross.

“This is the 40th anniversary of the league, and we wanted to do something special this year,” said league commissioner Ricky Luster.

In previous years, each scholarship was worth $500, but the league decided to up the ante to $1,000 each this year to promote more interest.

Johnson and Ross said they were excited to receive the scholarships for similar reasons.

“I’ve been playing (in Dixie Youth) since I was about 7 years old,” Johnson said. “It’s been a big influence on my life, just like Boy Scouts and everything else.”

“I’m just so glad I could get it,” Ross said. “I’ve been through All-Stars and all that through the years, and I’m really happy about getting this.”

Luster said he was happy to give out the scholarships, but he hopes to generate more interest in the future.

“Last year, one girl signed up and got it all,” he said. “We just want to help get some of these young people started.”

The only problem is that many students don’t know about the scholarship opportunities.

“The thing they have to know is the deadline for applications is April 1, so they have to get on the ball,” Luster said.

The only requirements for the scholarship are that the applicants must have played Dixie Youth baseball or softball at some point, and he or she must be a graduating senior who will attend college.

Johnson will enroll in the University of Mobile this summer, where he plans to major in religion.

“I really appreciate this,” he said. “Dixie Youth is part of what has made me the man I am.”

Ross, who will play softball at Gulf Coast Community College this year, shared the sentiment.

“It’s amazing when you do something you enjoy for so long, and one day you get something even more useful out of it,” she said. “It’s ironic how things like this can happen.”

Johnson’s father, Curt, and Ross’ mother, Linda, were hovering around the presentation and promptly confiscated the checks afterward.

“I won’t ever see that money, except to buy books or something,” Ross said with a laugh. “That’s going straight to college.”