Gift for Life Scholarship recipients announced for 2025
March 25, 2025
ARLINGTON, Texas – The United States Bowling Congress Youth Advisory Group has selected 12 USBC Youth members to receive a Gift for Life Scholarship in 2025.
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 2025 are as follows:
Natalee Alberts, Keokuk, Iowa – A 4.0 student and National Honor Society member at Keokuk High School, Alberts has always gone above and beyond in the classroom. She began taking high school math classes while in middle school, completing all courses KHS had to offer by her sophomore year. These days, she continues to expand her knowledge by taking dual-credit classes at her local community college. When not in the classroom, Alberts spends time bowling, coaching youth volleyball and contributing to her community by helping make dinners for those in need.
Brighton Boyce, Freehold, New Jersey – A senior at Freehold Township High School with a 3.75 GPA, Boyce is motivated by the sudden loss of his father when he was just 7 years old. Rather than allowing that traumatic event to slow him down, Boyce has turned the tragedy into a way to help others in his community. When not on the lanes, Boyce participates on the school’s tennis team, student government and volunteers at the local American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Boyce also shares his journey with others through a peer leadership class, using his experience to help others navigate their own challenges.
Abigail Copperthite, Fairfield, Connecticut – Copperthite comes from a family of bowlers and has quickly improved her skills on the lanes while acing her classes. In the classroom at Fairfield Warde High, the sophomore has completed numerous honors and AP classes, was a Superintendent Award recipient in 2023 and High Honor Scholar in 2024. She is a member of the Jewish Awareness and Better Education clubs in school and is a regular at her synagogue’s school and preschool, volunteering four hours a week and leading prayers.
Zachary Dorner, Howell, New Jersey – The second student to receive a Gift for Life scholarship from Freehold Township High School, Dorner holds a 4.3 GPA while taking various honors and AP classes. Besides bowling, Dorner is active in Speech and Debate, Disc Golf Club and is vice president of the PE Club at school. He is also an active volunteer in his community, helping out with trunk or treat for Halloween, turkey trots, Easter egg hunts and the local mayoral campaign among other activities.
Alexander Hall, Chandler, Indiana – A senior at Castle High School, Hall has taken AP courses while maintaining a near-perfect GPA and being the bowling team captain at school. He also participates in Marching Band, Concert Band and Winter Percussion and is a member of the National Honor Society and the school’s diversity club. Outside school, he volunteers weekly at his local humane society and has volunteered at the Red Cross blood drive, keeping the spirit of his late grandfather alive by giving back to the community.
Cameron Lietch, Republic, Missouri – Heading into his final year at Republic High School, Lietch has maintained a 3.75 GPA while taking a number of honors and AP classes and serving as a member of the National Honor Society. He is part of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Student Council and also volunteers his time tutoring and helping at a local daycare in between bowling practices.
Mia Losee, Janesville, Wisconsin – A senior attending Parker High School, Losee has earned Honor Roll, an academic letter, lettered as a member of three different bands (Concert, Symphonic and Wind Ensemble) and is a National Honor Society member. She also participates in track and volleyball as well as helping coach youth league bowlers on Saturdays. Outside the classroom, Losee has helped at the Parker High School Chili Supper and at her mother’s store.
Taylor Sparrow, Lakeland, Georgia – Sparrow fell in love with the sport from an early age and began bowling competitively soon after. She’s also gotten involved on the leadership side, serving as youth league president, vice president and secretary. In school, she has completed a variety of AP and honors classes while being a part of the Marching Band, Indoor Drumline and yearbook. Sparrow is a church camp counselor and helps fundraise during youth leagues when not in school.
Ember Strausbaugh, Franklin, Pennsylvania – Heading into her senior year, Strausbaugh holds a 3.5 GPA at Franklin Area Jr/Sr High School while being a National Honor Society member and bowling team captain. Strausbaugh is also a part of her school’s broadcast team, educational outreach, band and color guard. Outside of school, she volunteers her time at local blood drives and Relay For Life events and has helped provide more clean water to the community and fundraise for the Kirtland Cancer Foundation.
Kylee Wahler, Brodhead, Wisconsin – Wahler, a senior at Brodhead High School, stays on top of her schoolwork, maintaining a 3.8 GPA despite taking multiple AP classes. She’s also involved in numerous extracurricular activities, including bowling, choir, band, softball, dance, student council, National Honor Society, forensics and many more. She has also helped clean up highways, raked yards and volunteered for the humane society.
Jade Walters, Longview, Washington – While at R.A. Long High School, Walters, a senior, has immersed herself into various subjects, most notably French, where she has excelled in the classroom and as a member of the French Club. She also maintains a 3.7 GPA while taking multiple AP classes and is a member of the National Honor Society and Acts of Kindness Club. Walters was a Girl Scout for eight years, helps the local elementary school with various activities and is a member of her local USBC board.
Alyssa Wauchek, Murfreesboro, Tennessee – A senior at Rockvale High School, Wauchek holds a 3.6 GPA with a number of honors classes and dual-credit courses at Middle Tennessee State. She’s a member of the student council, serves the Heart of Tennessee USBC Board and was selected for the National Society of High School Scholars. When outside the classroom, Wauchek has volunteered with the Child Advocacy Center and United Way and is on the pathway to becoming a DNA analyst.
Three of the Gift for Life Scholarships are reserved for the children of fire department, emergency rescue or police personnel, with the families of Lietch, Sparrow and Wauchek 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 2025 are as follows:
Natalee Alberts, Keokuk, Iowa – A 4.0 student and National Honor Society member at Keokuk High School, Alberts has always gone above and beyond in the classroom. She began taking high school math classes while in middle school, completing all courses KHS had to offer by her sophomore year. These days, she continues to expand her knowledge by taking dual-credit classes at her local community college. When not in the classroom, Alberts spends time bowling, coaching youth volleyball and contributing to her community by helping make dinners for those in need.
Brighton Boyce, Freehold, New Jersey – A senior at Freehold Township High School with a 3.75 GPA, Boyce is motivated by the sudden loss of his father when he was just 7 years old. Rather than allowing that traumatic event to slow him down, Boyce has turned the tragedy into a way to help others in his community. When not on the lanes, Boyce participates on the school’s tennis team, student government and volunteers at the local American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Boyce also shares his journey with others through a peer leadership class, using his experience to help others navigate their own challenges.
Abigail Copperthite, Fairfield, Connecticut – Copperthite comes from a family of bowlers and has quickly improved her skills on the lanes while acing her classes. In the classroom at Fairfield Warde High, the sophomore has completed numerous honors and AP classes, was a Superintendent Award recipient in 2023 and High Honor Scholar in 2024. She is a member of the Jewish Awareness and Better Education clubs in school and is a regular at her synagogue’s school and preschool, volunteering four hours a week and leading prayers.
Zachary Dorner, Howell, New Jersey – The second student to receive a Gift for Life scholarship from Freehold Township High School, Dorner holds a 4.3 GPA while taking various honors and AP classes. Besides bowling, Dorner is active in Speech and Debate, Disc Golf Club and is vice president of the PE Club at school. He is also an active volunteer in his community, helping out with trunk or treat for Halloween, turkey trots, Easter egg hunts and the local mayoral campaign among other activities.
Alexander Hall, Chandler, Indiana – A senior at Castle High School, Hall has taken AP courses while maintaining a near-perfect GPA and being the bowling team captain at school. He also participates in Marching Band, Concert Band and Winter Percussion and is a member of the National Honor Society and the school’s diversity club. Outside school, he volunteers weekly at his local humane society and has volunteered at the Red Cross blood drive, keeping the spirit of his late grandfather alive by giving back to the community.
Cameron Lietch, Republic, Missouri – Heading into his final year at Republic High School, Lietch has maintained a 3.75 GPA while taking a number of honors and AP classes and serving as a member of the National Honor Society. He is part of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Student Council and also volunteers his time tutoring and helping at a local daycare in between bowling practices.
Mia Losee, Janesville, Wisconsin – A senior attending Parker High School, Losee has earned Honor Roll, an academic letter, lettered as a member of three different bands (Concert, Symphonic and Wind Ensemble) and is a National Honor Society member. She also participates in track and volleyball as well as helping coach youth league bowlers on Saturdays. Outside the classroom, Losee has helped at the Parker High School Chili Supper and at her mother’s store.
Taylor Sparrow, Lakeland, Georgia – Sparrow fell in love with the sport from an early age and began bowling competitively soon after. She’s also gotten involved on the leadership side, serving as youth league president, vice president and secretary. In school, she has completed a variety of AP and honors classes while being a part of the Marching Band, Indoor Drumline and yearbook. Sparrow is a church camp counselor and helps fundraise during youth leagues when not in school.
Ember Strausbaugh, Franklin, Pennsylvania – Heading into her senior year, Strausbaugh holds a 3.5 GPA at Franklin Area Jr/Sr High School while being a National Honor Society member and bowling team captain. Strausbaugh is also a part of her school’s broadcast team, educational outreach, band and color guard. Outside of school, she volunteers her time at local blood drives and Relay For Life events and has helped provide more clean water to the community and fundraise for the Kirtland Cancer Foundation.
Kylee Wahler, Brodhead, Wisconsin – Wahler, a senior at Brodhead High School, stays on top of her schoolwork, maintaining a 3.8 GPA despite taking multiple AP classes. She’s also involved in numerous extracurricular activities, including bowling, choir, band, softball, dance, student council, National Honor Society, forensics and many more. She has also helped clean up highways, raked yards and volunteered for the humane society.
Jade Walters, Longview, Washington – While at R.A. Long High School, Walters, a senior, has immersed herself into various subjects, most notably French, where she has excelled in the classroom and as a member of the French Club. She also maintains a 3.7 GPA while taking multiple AP classes and is a member of the National Honor Society and Acts of Kindness Club. Walters was a Girl Scout for eight years, helps the local elementary school with various activities and is a member of her local USBC board.
Alyssa Wauchek, Murfreesboro, Tennessee – A senior at Rockvale High School, Wauchek holds a 3.6 GPA with a number of honors classes and dual-credit courses at Middle Tennessee State. She’s a member of the student council, serves the Heart of Tennessee USBC Board and was selected for the National Society of High School Scholars. When outside the classroom, Wauchek has volunteered with the Child Advocacy Center and United Way and is on the pathway to becoming a DNA analyst.
Three of the Gift for Life Scholarships are reserved for the children of fire department, emergency rescue or police personnel, with the families of Lietch, Sparrow and Wauchek 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.