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As family, teammates, friends, her coach, and other well-wishers happily watched April 28th, Newark High School senior Becca Spry proudly signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Roberts Wesleyan University on an athletic scholarship in the fall and bowl with the NCAA Division II Redhawk’s Women’s Bowling Team.
In addition, Spry is the first RWU incoming athlete to receive the $7,500 per year Millie Ignizio Bowling Merit Scholarship awarded to a female Section V high school graduate based on superior bowling achievement, academic excellence, a strong commitment to volunteer community service and admirable sportsmanship.
She is also receiving am academic scholarship. The Trustee Scholarship awards $22,000 per year to recipients who are admitted as first-year students starting in Fall 2023 and represent character consistent with the goals of RWU. The scholarship is renewed annually, provided the student maintains at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average.
The daughter of Robert and Peny Spry who hopes to become a physical education teacher, whose current GPA is 96.68 and who has been bowling since she was 7, Becca Spry is thrilled about the prospect of attending RWU and bowling with the Redhawks Women’s Bowling team under Head Coach Marion Sullivan.
“I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to continue my bowling and academic career at Roberts Wesleyan and I am so thankful for my parents, coaches, teachers, and of course my friends who have supported me from day one,” she said after the 5 p.m. signing event in the NHS library and the cupcake reception that followed.
NHS Varsity Girls Bowling Coach Mark Rowe praised Spry’s impressive accomplishments including:
• “Great teammate. She helped to keep the team focused. Great student who has maintained a 97 average.”
• She was a six-year starter on the Varsity team helping them to win six straight Finger Lakes titles; six straight Section V Class C Titles, that also included one year that they were overall Section V Champions when they beat Class A and B also.”
•”2017- 3rd place at States; 2018- 2nd place at States. They lost 2 years when COVID cancelled State Competition. They were 2022 and 2023 State Champions; 3 time, 1st team All Greater Rochester. Team record while she was on the team was 59-1 league and 24 -0 non- league.
• “Her individual high average was 202, individual high game of 287 and individual high series of 763.”
• “She is a WINNER!”
Spry has also been active in other sports while at NHS including JV softball in 2019; JV Volleyball in 2019-2021 and Varsity Volleyball 2021-2022; JV Basketball in 2021; and Varsity Softball 2021-22.
While at NHS, Spry was a Student Council representative in 2019-21; Vice President in 2021-22 and is Student Council President this school year.
She was a member of the Yearbook Committee 2021-2022; Interact Club 2021-2022; Varsity Club 2021-2023; Link Crew 2021-2023. She is Vice President of Spanish Honor Society and has been a member of National Honor Society since 2022.
Other sports and academic awards include Principal’s List average of 95 or above during all four years at NHS; Scholar Athlete 2017-2021; Bowling Sportsmanship Award in 2021; Defensive Award in Volleyball in 2021; Most Improved Bowling Award in 2021; and 1st Team Finger Lakes East Bowling 2019-2021 and Most Valuable Player Award for Varsity Girls Bowling 2023.
“Becca put in the work, there is no way around it. She has consistently been a high achiever in the classroom and on the lanes. It is great to see her dedication and hard work rewarded with this opportunity. Her achievements and individual accolades are tremendous but hearing Coach Rowe describe her as a great teammate is an incredibly proud moment for our athletic program. Congratulations to Becca and her family,” said Jonathan Mastin, Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics.
“I am thrilled for Becca to continue her education and her dedication to her sport at RWU. As a strong and committed student, natural leader and someone that finds joy in everything that she does, I have no doubt that she will thrive on that campus. Becca, best of luck and congratulations on such a wonderful accomplishment,” said NHS Principal Kelly A. Zielke.
“Becca's academic and athletic abilities have splendidly shined at NHS and I am certain her future endeavors at Roberts Wesleyan University, and beyond, will be equally bright,’’ said Superintendent Susan Hasenauer. “Congratulations Becca on your outstanding achievement."
Spry’s parents are very proud of their daughter’s accomplishments.
“We are extraordinarily proud of her every day. She’s always astounded me,” said Peny Spry.
“She’s incredible. Just outstanding. She’s just non-stop energy. She’s amazing,’’ Robert Spry said.