Gift for Life Scholarship recipients announced for 2026
March 04, 2026
ARLINGTON, Texas – The United States Bowling Congress has selected 12 USBC Youth members to receive a Gift for Life Scholarship in 2026.
The Gift for Life Scholarships are presented annually to youth bowlers who are in high school and can demonstrate financial need. Applicants are selected based on submitted applications, must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher (based on a 4.0 scale) and provide at least two letters of recommendation.
Each award winner receives a $1,000 scholarship, managed through USBC’s Scholarship Management and Account Reporting for Tenpins (SMART) program.
The Gift for Life Scholarship recipients for 2026 are as follows:
Garrett Arnold, Clay, New York – A senior at Cicero-North Syracuse High School, Arnold has earned a 3.9 GPA while taking on the challenges of AP U.S. History and AP Government. His academic excellence has been recognized with the Principal’s Award, and he is a member of both the National Junior Honor Society and Honor Society. Arnold consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic and commitment to learning, balancing a rigorous course load with involvement in varsity bowling and baseball. He has been an active member of the Boy Scouts of America since 2019 and plans to continue his education at Rochester Institute of Technology, where he will pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology.
Caden Bates, Athol, Idaho – As a senior at Timberlake High School, Bates has maintained a 3.7 GPA while pursuing a rigorous academic schedule that includes honors courses in Geometry, Algebra I and II and English along with an extensive list of dual-credit classes such as Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Trigonometry/Precalculus and English 101. His academic success has earned him recognition as a National Honor Society member, honor roll student, Top Scholar at North Idaho College and recipient of the Presidential Award. Bates balances his commitment to excellence in the classroom with involvement in student council and multiple varsity sports.
Jason Bennett, Freehold, New Jersey – A senior at Colts Neck High School, Bennett has earned a 3.2 GPA and achieved honor roll recognition during both his freshman and sophomore years. Committed to his academic growth, he balances his coursework with involvement in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club and participation in NJROTC, where he has developed leadership, discipline and teamwork skills. Bennett plans to continue his education at the collegiate level, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management as a first-generation college student.
Robert Bennett, Lancaster, Ohio – Throughout his time at William V. Fisher Catholic High School, Bennett has maintained a 3.2 GPA while completing a number of honors courses and earning honor roll recognition five times heading into his final year. He complements his academic commitment with strong leadership in athletics as a three-year varsity football starter and bowling team captain since 2023, also becoming a USBC Bronze coach during that time. Beyond school, Bennett is dedicated to serving his community, collecting blankets for the homeless in 2023 and organizing a boot drive in 2024 and 2025 to provide winter footwear for those in need. He also has volunteered at the local United Way Community Care Center since 2022 and has served his church as an altar server since the fifth grade.
Riley Blair, West Valley City, Utah – A senior at Dobbin Homeschool Academy, Blair has earned a 3.9 GPA while pursuing a well-rounded course of study that includes Spanish, Religion and competitive bowling for physical education. Blair complements academic achievement with meaningful community involvement, volunteering in elderly and youth service initiatives and assisting with youth bowling leagues. Through consistent dedication in both academics and service, Blair demonstrates a strong work ethic and commitment to personal growth while continuing to stay active in the sport of bowling.
Mason Chapman, Haltom City, Texas – A senior at Texas Connections Academy at Houston, Chapman has earned a 3.83 GPA while completing a rigorous course of study. Chapman complements his academic achievement with extensive extracurricular involvement, including four years on the high school bowling team, leadership roles in the Cowtown Bowling Youth League and as Texas State USBC Youth Leaders Director. He also has volunteered with military families, booster clubs, youth programs and local tournaments.
Nicholas Grabowski, Lockport, New York – A senior at Lockport High School, Grabowski has maintained a 3.8 GPA while completing an extensive and rigorous academic schedule that includes AP U.S. History and a wide range of college and AP coursework such as Marketing Management, College Accounting, Macroeconomics, English 12 Honors, Statistics and Probability, Spanish IV and V and a Career Exploration Internship. His dedication to academic excellence has earned him membership in the National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Social Studies Honor Society and Business & Marketing Honor Society along with honor roll recognition throughout high school. In addition to his work in the classroom, Grabowski competes on the boys’ varsity bowling team and serves his community through local volunteer events while also gaining professional experience as an intern at Cornerstone Ice Arena.
Yvaine Knight, Kailua, Hawaii – While at Kalaheo High School, Knight has achieved a 4.0 GPA heading into her senior year while completing a demanding slate of AP courses, including AP Biology, AP Language and Composition, AP Literature, AP Calculus, AP 2D Art and Design and AP Psychology. Her academic excellence has earned her National Honor Society membership and placement on the Principal’s List all four years of high school. A talented photographer, Knight has received three Silver Keys and three Honorable Mentions in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and was named Photography I and II Student of the Year. Beyond the classroom, she competes in bowling as a two-time East Side OIA Bowling All-Star (2024, 2025), serves as captain of the color guard and participates in track and field. Knight also is deeply involved in her community through church youth group and choir, school and church leadership roles and a variety of service projects, including elementary school volunteering, environmental cleanups and outreach efforts supporting children in need.
Olivia McDaniel, Shellsburg, Iowa – A junior at Vinton-Shellsburg High School, McDaniel has earned multiple academic recognitions, including Academic Excellence recognition in 2022, the 2022 President’s Education Award and Distinguished in Academic Achievement honors from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union for girls’ golf in 2024. She also received the 2023 Varsity Award as girls’ track manager. McDaniel remains active in school through bowling, wrestling, cheerleading, girls’ golf and serving as track manager and is the bowling team captain in 2025. Beyond school, she has volunteered for five years with the Shellsburg Library summer program, assisted the Lions Club with concession stands and bingo, coached youth bowlers and participated in Girl Scouts for four years.
Alec Ogorzolka, Manhattan, Kansas – A senior at Manhattan High School, Ogorzolka enters his final year of high school with a 4.0 GPA, earning honor roll recognition each year and membership in the National Honor Society. He complemented his academic success with involvement in SkillsUSA, FFA and Key Club while being deeply engaged in service. Ogorzolka volunteered for four years with the Saint Thomas More Youth Group and church activities, assisted with concessions for Eisenhower Booster Club and Manhattan High School events and dedicated years to community projects through scouting. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout, planning and leading a project to install a reflection garden at his former elementary school and serves as Youth Director for the Konza Prairie USBC Board and Association.
Easton Wedebrand, Estherville, Iowa – A senior at Estherville Lincoln Central, Wedebrand carries a 3.84 GPA, earning honor roll recognition for three years. He has contributed to the school yearbook, gaining experience in collaboration, organization and creative expression. Committed to service, Wedebrand has been actively involved in his church for 17 years and comes from a family with a strong tradition of public service, with a parent serving in fire, emergency rescue or police personnel.
Ta’Miyah Wilson, Maywood, Illinois – A senior at Proviso Math and Science Academy, Wilson carries a 3.97 GPA and has earned honor roll recognition throughout high school as well as membership in the National Honor Society. She has challenged herself with AP and honors courses in subjects ranging from Calculus and Biology to Psychology and Engineering. Wilson has been active in school life through Bible Club, Black Student Union, volleyball, track and dance while staying committed to her community. She has volunteered with the March of Dimes, Chicago Food Depository, Vital Bridges, youth programs at her church and local initiatives supporting children and the arts. She also was a Girl Scout from second through 10th grade.
Some of the Gift for Life Scholarships are reserved for the children of fire department, emergency rescue or police personnel with the families of Bates, Blair and Wedebrand serving in these areas.
CLICK HERE to view a list of past Gift for Life Scholarship winners.
Visit BOWL.com/ScholarshipsAwards to learn more about scholarship opportunities for youth bowlers.
The Gift for Life Scholarships are presented annually to youth bowlers who are in high school and can demonstrate financial need. Applicants are selected based on submitted applications, must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher (based on a 4.0 scale) and provide at least two letters of recommendation.
Each award winner receives a $1,000 scholarship, managed through USBC’s Scholarship Management and Account Reporting for Tenpins (SMART) program.
The Gift for Life Scholarship recipients for 2026 are as follows:
Garrett Arnold, Clay, New York – A senior at Cicero-North Syracuse High School, Arnold has earned a 3.9 GPA while taking on the challenges of AP U.S. History and AP Government. His academic excellence has been recognized with the Principal’s Award, and he is a member of both the National Junior Honor Society and Honor Society. Arnold consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic and commitment to learning, balancing a rigorous course load with involvement in varsity bowling and baseball. He has been an active member of the Boy Scouts of America since 2019 and plans to continue his education at Rochester Institute of Technology, where he will pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology.
Caden Bates, Athol, Idaho – As a senior at Timberlake High School, Bates has maintained a 3.7 GPA while pursuing a rigorous academic schedule that includes honors courses in Geometry, Algebra I and II and English along with an extensive list of dual-credit classes such as Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Trigonometry/Precalculus and English 101. His academic success has earned him recognition as a National Honor Society member, honor roll student, Top Scholar at North Idaho College and recipient of the Presidential Award. Bates balances his commitment to excellence in the classroom with involvement in student council and multiple varsity sports.
Jason Bennett, Freehold, New Jersey – A senior at Colts Neck High School, Bennett has earned a 3.2 GPA and achieved honor roll recognition during both his freshman and sophomore years. Committed to his academic growth, he balances his coursework with involvement in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club and participation in NJROTC, where he has developed leadership, discipline and teamwork skills. Bennett plans to continue his education at the collegiate level, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management as a first-generation college student.
Robert Bennett, Lancaster, Ohio – Throughout his time at William V. Fisher Catholic High School, Bennett has maintained a 3.2 GPA while completing a number of honors courses and earning honor roll recognition five times heading into his final year. He complements his academic commitment with strong leadership in athletics as a three-year varsity football starter and bowling team captain since 2023, also becoming a USBC Bronze coach during that time. Beyond school, Bennett is dedicated to serving his community, collecting blankets for the homeless in 2023 and organizing a boot drive in 2024 and 2025 to provide winter footwear for those in need. He also has volunteered at the local United Way Community Care Center since 2022 and has served his church as an altar server since the fifth grade.
Riley Blair, West Valley City, Utah – A senior at Dobbin Homeschool Academy, Blair has earned a 3.9 GPA while pursuing a well-rounded course of study that includes Spanish, Religion and competitive bowling for physical education. Blair complements academic achievement with meaningful community involvement, volunteering in elderly and youth service initiatives and assisting with youth bowling leagues. Through consistent dedication in both academics and service, Blair demonstrates a strong work ethic and commitment to personal growth while continuing to stay active in the sport of bowling.
Mason Chapman, Haltom City, Texas – A senior at Texas Connections Academy at Houston, Chapman has earned a 3.83 GPA while completing a rigorous course of study. Chapman complements his academic achievement with extensive extracurricular involvement, including four years on the high school bowling team, leadership roles in the Cowtown Bowling Youth League and as Texas State USBC Youth Leaders Director. He also has volunteered with military families, booster clubs, youth programs and local tournaments.
Nicholas Grabowski, Lockport, New York – A senior at Lockport High School, Grabowski has maintained a 3.8 GPA while completing an extensive and rigorous academic schedule that includes AP U.S. History and a wide range of college and AP coursework such as Marketing Management, College Accounting, Macroeconomics, English 12 Honors, Statistics and Probability, Spanish IV and V and a Career Exploration Internship. His dedication to academic excellence has earned him membership in the National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Social Studies Honor Society and Business & Marketing Honor Society along with honor roll recognition throughout high school. In addition to his work in the classroom, Grabowski competes on the boys’ varsity bowling team and serves his community through local volunteer events while also gaining professional experience as an intern at Cornerstone Ice Arena.
Yvaine Knight, Kailua, Hawaii – While at Kalaheo High School, Knight has achieved a 4.0 GPA heading into her senior year while completing a demanding slate of AP courses, including AP Biology, AP Language and Composition, AP Literature, AP Calculus, AP 2D Art and Design and AP Psychology. Her academic excellence has earned her National Honor Society membership and placement on the Principal’s List all four years of high school. A talented photographer, Knight has received three Silver Keys and three Honorable Mentions in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and was named Photography I and II Student of the Year. Beyond the classroom, she competes in bowling as a two-time East Side OIA Bowling All-Star (2024, 2025), serves as captain of the color guard and participates in track and field. Knight also is deeply involved in her community through church youth group and choir, school and church leadership roles and a variety of service projects, including elementary school volunteering, environmental cleanups and outreach efforts supporting children in need.
Olivia McDaniel, Shellsburg, Iowa – A junior at Vinton-Shellsburg High School, McDaniel has earned multiple academic recognitions, including Academic Excellence recognition in 2022, the 2022 President’s Education Award and Distinguished in Academic Achievement honors from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union for girls’ golf in 2024. She also received the 2023 Varsity Award as girls’ track manager. McDaniel remains active in school through bowling, wrestling, cheerleading, girls’ golf and serving as track manager and is the bowling team captain in 2025. Beyond school, she has volunteered for five years with the Shellsburg Library summer program, assisted the Lions Club with concession stands and bingo, coached youth bowlers and participated in Girl Scouts for four years.
Alec Ogorzolka, Manhattan, Kansas – A senior at Manhattan High School, Ogorzolka enters his final year of high school with a 4.0 GPA, earning honor roll recognition each year and membership in the National Honor Society. He complemented his academic success with involvement in SkillsUSA, FFA and Key Club while being deeply engaged in service. Ogorzolka volunteered for four years with the Saint Thomas More Youth Group and church activities, assisted with concessions for Eisenhower Booster Club and Manhattan High School events and dedicated years to community projects through scouting. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout, planning and leading a project to install a reflection garden at his former elementary school and serves as Youth Director for the Konza Prairie USBC Board and Association.
Easton Wedebrand, Estherville, Iowa – A senior at Estherville Lincoln Central, Wedebrand carries a 3.84 GPA, earning honor roll recognition for three years. He has contributed to the school yearbook, gaining experience in collaboration, organization and creative expression. Committed to service, Wedebrand has been actively involved in his church for 17 years and comes from a family with a strong tradition of public service, with a parent serving in fire, emergency rescue or police personnel.
Ta’Miyah Wilson, Maywood, Illinois – A senior at Proviso Math and Science Academy, Wilson carries a 3.97 GPA and has earned honor roll recognition throughout high school as well as membership in the National Honor Society. She has challenged herself with AP and honors courses in subjects ranging from Calculus and Biology to Psychology and Engineering. Wilson has been active in school life through Bible Club, Black Student Union, volleyball, track and dance while staying committed to her community. She has volunteered with the March of Dimes, Chicago Food Depository, Vital Bridges, youth programs at her church and local initiatives supporting children and the arts. She also was a Girl Scout from second through 10th grade.
Some of the Gift for Life Scholarships are reserved for the children of fire department, emergency rescue or police personnel with the families of Bates, Blair and Wedebrand serving in these areas.
CLICK HERE to view a list of past Gift for Life Scholarship winners.
Visit BOWL.com/ScholarshipsAwards to learn more about scholarship opportunities for youth bowlers.