Citing lasting friendships and connecting with family and community in their days playing Little League softball, Madison Lester and Alayna Turillo have been awarded a 2022 Chuck Schafer Memorial Scholarship from Boardman Community Baseball.

“I began playing softball at age 4. I walked on the field for the first day of practice having no idea I would be making lifelong friends,” said Turillo. “I learned how to cooperate with peers as members of a team. Teamwork is something that never goes away and I would not have learned how to work as a unit without Boardman Community Baseball.”

Lester noted, “Playing softball also allowed me to build a connection with family. My passion for pitching actually started because of my Papa. My grandpa was the one who would taking me to pitching lessons and catch for me. He was as passionate as I was”.

Turillo noted that she learned the importance of community from BCB. “Realizing that I was competing to represent my home, I played with more passion to make my community proud. As I grew older, I found that I can honor my community by providing community service”.

Turillo who earned a 3.9 GPA at Boardman High School was a four-year member of the bowling team and member of the Spartan symphony and chamber orchestra. She was also active in other school activities including Italian Club and theater orchestra, while volunteering at the Inn at Glenellen nursing home. Alayna plans on majoring in Speech Pathology at University of Central Florida in the fall.

“I spent the last 12 years of my life on the softball diamond. Playing softball helped form my personality, made me mentally and physically stronger and led to many lifetime friendships,” said Lester.

Lester played softball earning All-American Conference 1st team and Honorable Mention All-Northeast Ohio honors, while attending Boardman High School. In addition to sports, she also was involved with Emerging Leader and Latin Club, as well as donating time to United Way and Salvation Army. Lester graduated with a 4.0 GPA and plans on majoring in Premed/Biology at California University of Pennsylvania

“I have faced many challenges with injuries and I worked harder than anyone to get back on the field. After all my injuries over the years, I want to continue my passion in sports and medicine after college as an ER or Sports Medicine doctor”.

Turillo noted, “Boardman Community Baseball is more than just a sports program; it is the foundation of all of my life’s successes. The skills gained in softball spread to all the aspect of your life. Remembering where I acquired my foundational skills, I know I will be successful in my future endeavors”.

Boardman Community Baseball honors its children who have shown that lessons learned on the ballfields can be carried to the classroom and throughout life, with the Chuck Schafer Scholarship. Chuck Schafer was a past coach, volunteer and league President who used his skills as a talented architect to design the Fields of Dreams Complex to cater to families who love Little League as he did. He believed in giving back to his community and paying it forward.

This year will mark the 18th year of providing scholarships. During this time, Boardman Community Baseball has awarded over $85,000 in scholarships to former BCB ball players.