LSA scholars to be named

Mayor Tom Henry and City Council representatives were joined by participants and supporters of the Lifetime Sports Academy for the opening day for the 11th year of LSA today.

“Lifetime Sports Academy is such a great summer sports program '€“ it'€™s free and safe for youth participants and it is a priceless asset to the community,” said Mayor Henry. “Not only are children served by this seven-week program with talented coaches and instructors, but the whole community benefits from the healthy activities that come to McMillen Park each year.”

During the LSA session (June 9 '€“ July 25), boys and girls ages 8 '€“ 18 will receive free group lessons in golf, tennis and swimming instruction in a supervised environment. A pavilion program provides arts, crafts and organized games. Lunch is provided daily through Fort Wayne Community School summer lunch program.

“More than 14,000 kids have learned lifetime sports here,” said Al Moll, Director of Parks & Recreation. “Kids have the opportunity to earn golf and tennis equipment, and for the second year they can also qualify for an outstanding scholarship opportunity with the University of St. Francis.”

The Tom Jehl LSA Scholarships are available to students who have participated with the Lifetime Sports Academy, have been actively involved in volunteer activities and have a high school GPA of 2.7 or higher. This scholarship is available to new college students beginning in the fall of 2008. The new recipients will receive full-tuition scholarships, which are good for up to eight semesters as long as recipients maintain full-time enrollment and a 2.5 GPA. Named today at the opening day are scholarship recipients Robert Gallmeyer and Michelle Fox. For more information, see www.sf.edu/financialaid.

The scholarship fund at St. Francis was established in 2006 to honor Tom Jehl, a visionary and co-founder of LSA and a big supporter of USF.

Kids are welcome to register for Lifetime Sports Academy at any time during the seven weeks of activities. Call 427-6000 or visit www.fortwayneparks.org/programs for more information.

Participants have earned more than 700 sets of golf clubs and 900 tennis rackets in the past 10 years.