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 Celina Tolson |
Both 18, they were named the 2007 Male and Female USBC Youth Ambassadors of the Year for their exemplary contributions in the sport of bowling, academic accomplishments and community involvement. Both received a $1,500 scholarship and were honored at the USBC Convention last March.
Erik, a native of North Palm Beach, Fla., first caught the national spotlight for his work with USBC's Junior Gold program. As the president of the Florida State USBC Youth Leaders, he organized the Junior Gold Prep Tournament last May to prepare bowlers for the 2006 USBC Junior Gold Championships. Both tournaments were held in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., with Erik's prep event mimicking the format that bowlers would face at the championships.
The USBC Level II coach also was tournament director for the 16th and 17th Annual Bill and Millie Landen Memorial Scholarship Tournaments and secured an additional $2,000 from the local tourist board to award as scholarships. He also serves as a Zone 5 director for the Florida State USBC Youth Association.
Working for the good of the sport
A student at Palm Beach Community College, Erik spoke at a state-wide meeting of bowling center proprietors last October to offer advice on how proprietors and youth leaders can work better together. His suggestions included better communication when planning tournaments, so all parties understand the cost per game and what center support and amenities would be included in the fee.
Erik's got big plans for this fall. He's organizing a Welcome Back Tournament for youth bowlers of all ages and averages. Featuring three handicap and two scratch divisions, the event will provide an opportunity to recruit new kids to join leagues and to become involved in the area's Youth Leader program. Learn more about how you can get involved in a local USBC Youth Leader program.
Celina is a senior at St. Ursula Academy in Toledo, Ohio, and captain of the school's varsity bowling team. Named the 2006 Star of Tomorrow by what is now known as the Greater Toledo USBC, Celina averages in the 170s. She's a member of the National Honor Society as well as her school's equestrian team, orchestra, fashion and German clubs and Junior Engineering Technology Society. She also is president of her local 4-H club.
Capitalizing on opportunities
Celina's got a head start on her college credits. While still in high school, she completed post-secondary classes at both Owens Community College and the University of Toledo. This fall she will attend the University of Cincinnati, where she plans to major in interior design and compete on UC's women's bowling team.
Celina's four years of experience competing on St. Ursula's high school bowling team gives her a great chance for success bowling at the collegiate level. Glad that high school bowling is well-established in her home state of Ohio, she looks forward to the day when all 50 states recognize bowling as a varsity sport. Get more information about high school bowling contacts in your area.
 Valerie Pittser |
 Frank Wilkinson |
 Shawn Wochner |
Representing youth bowlers
At the USBC Convention last March, a third USBC Youth member was singled out for a national honor.
Valerie Pittser of Huntersville, N.C., was selected to serve a three-year term as a member of the national USBC Youth Committee. She was the 2005 Female Youth Leader of the Year and joins Chris Dunbar (2005 Male Youth Leader of the Year) and Carol Erica Pitts (2006 Female Youth Leader of the Year) on the 2007-08 USBC Youth Committee, where they serve as youth representatives.
USBC Youth members who have received either the Youth Ambassador of the Year or Youth Leader of the Year distinction often continue their work to increase opportunities for USBC Youth bowlers, as the above five young adults demonstrate. Those honored but not yet tapped for service on the USBC Youth Committee are eligible to be named to the committee as youth representatives as long as they continue to be USBC Youth members.
Other former Youth Leaders of the Year may be too old to continue bowling in USBC Youth competition, but still devote time and energy to benefit kids who bowl. This fall, 2004 Male Youth Leader of the Year Frank Wilkinson of Staten Island, N.Y., and 1997 Male Youth Leader of the Year Shawn Wochner of Lake in the Hills, Ill., join the USBC Youth Committee. Both are heavily involved in organizing and providing youth bowling opportunities on behalf of bowling centers in their areas.
