Boardman Community Baseball awards scholarships

Boardman Community Baseball annually chooses two students to receive $2,500 scholarships toward tuition at the college of their choice. These awards are in memory of Chuck Schafer, who designed the Fields of Dreams complex.

2012 scholarship winner Alexandria DeFabio recently graduated from Boardman High School with a 3.94 GPA. She spent 13 years in BCB’s softball program while also playing varsity basketball for three years, varsity softball and varsity golf at BHS. She also served as a student-athlete representative for the Federal League Exchange program.

DeFabio was also a member of the Link Crew, National Honor Society, Latin Club, Spanish Club, Science Club, Interact Club and Key Club, and several others.

DeFabio is the daughter of Ron and Kim DeFabio and Tracie Cancel. She intends to pursue a degree in pre-medicine in the hopes of becoming a surgeon.

“I had the privilege of representing Boardman, Ohio and the Central United States in the softball World Series. That experience showed me that when a community comes together, the possibilities of what they can achieve are endless,” she said in her winning essay.

“Thanks to Boardman Community Baseball, I am service-oriented and very aware that in order to receive things in life, you have to give back to those who helped you along the way.”

Gianna Marinucci, who was also selected to receive a BCB scholarship, is the daughter of Marco and Janie Marinucci and recently graduated from Boardman with a 3.99 GPA. She will take her scholarship money to the Ohio State University to study biomedical engineering.

A 12-year player in BCB, Marinucci was a four-year member of student council and the Spartan marching band. She also belonged to the Humanities Club, National Honor Society, Italian National Honor Society and the Medical Careers Club. She was chosen as the Boardman representative to both the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership seminar and Youth Leadership Mahoning Valley.

Marinucci was a volunteer coach for the Little Lady Spartans fall ball program and was a server at the annual Boardman Rotary pancake breakfast.

In her application essay, Marinucci remarked, “Softball is like a company; there are people that specialize in certain areas and are really good at specific tasks, but every person is needed for the company to succeed... “Growing up playing softball and having to work together as a team, I saw first hand how to pick people up when they’re down, and work with people of different personalities. From the beginning, my experiences at BCB prepared me for the future.”

The Chuck Schafer Memorial Scholarship is named for the experienced architect who designed the Fields of Dreams on McClurg Road, home to Boardman Community Baseball. The league raises money for the annual scholarship by hosting a baseball and softball tournament.

Scholarship applications are accepted through the spring each year. Eligible students include high school seniors who has at least a 2.75 GPA and have participated in a BCB baseball or softball program for at least five years. Applications and information can be found at www.boardmanbaseball.com.