The PBA and PWBA Tour player Gazmine “GG” Mason in this news release Thursday announced 22 PBA Jr. and Gazmine Mason Foundation Scholarship recipients in the inaugural year of the program.

The 22 youth bowlers of color ages 13 to 18 represent 15 states. They were selected based on their academics, creativity, and commitment to the sport of bowling.

Here is my story from when the scholarship program was announced.

“The inaugural PBA Jr. and Gazmine Mason Foundation class is an inspiring group of diverse youth bowlers with bright futures ahead,” PBA CEO Colie Edison said in the release. “Each and every one is deserving of this opportunity and I look forward to seeing these talented bowlers compete at an elite level.”

The 22 recipients have earned guaranteed entry into the PBA Jr. National Championship Regional Qualifier events, the first part of the PBA Jr. National Championship, which will take place at five locations across the country Labor Day weekend.

Details on the PBA Jr. National Championship and Regional Qualifiers that will be held Labor Day weekend are in my story here. The PBA Jr. National first prize for boys and girls is $16,000 in scholarship funding.

Each Regional Qualifier will guarantee a first-place $2,000 SMART Scholarship and a cashing ratio of 1-in-6.

"I’m so proud to see the positive response and number of applications we received for the first-ever PBA Jr. and Gazmine Mason Foundation Scholarship,“ Mason said in the release. “The majority of these youth bowlers haven’t competed in a PBA Jr. tournament and to give them an opportunity is just amazing. I wish them lots of luck!”

Here are the recipients: 
Kendall Battles (18) – Philadelphia
Daveon Bickcom (15) – Chicago
Essence Collins (15) – Aurora, Colo.
Nila Dulcio (16) – Sugar Hill, Ga.
Aaliyah Friend (16) – Winston-Salem, N.C.
Tyler Galbreath (15) – San Antonio, Texas
Diamond Gist (15) – Hammond, Ind.
Jasmine Hall (15) - Huntsville, Ala.
Daniel Hong (17) – Fullerton, Calif.
Stephanie Hong (17) – Fullerton, Calif.
Jewel Johnson (15) – Harrisburg, Pa.
Michael Jones (15) – Laurel, Md.
Kieryn Knox (17) – West Orange, N.J.
Walther Lents (17) – Daytona Beach, Fla.
Caroline Lewis (16) – Kenosaha, Wis.
Brianna McCall (13) – Houston
Bryan McCall (13) – Houston
Emmanuel McPherson (17) – Green Bay, Wis.
Tori Richardson (12) – Waterloo, Iowa
King Simmons (15) – Chicago
Kai Strothers (13) – Plainfield, N.J.
Allie Williams (17) – Philadelphia, Miss.