Johnna Rapp Is 2016 Peterson Award Winner (06/16/16)

Johnna Rapp, a recent graduate of Clarion High School, has been honored as the recipient of the 2016 “Clarion Area Softball – Allen Peterson Academic Achievement Award.”

2016 Peterson Award winner Johnna Rapp and award founder Alan "Pete" Peterson

2016 Peterson Award winner Johnna Rapp and award founder Allen “Pete” Peterson

The award, with an accompanying five-hundred dollar scholarship, was established by Allen “Pete” Peterson, former, long time assistant coach for the Lady Cats. The award is  given each year, to the senior girl with the top GPA (3.0 minimum), who has at least 2 years in the program. If no senior meets the qualifying standards a junior will be selected.

Johnna joins past Peterson Award winners, Courtney Donaldson (2012), Matti Thornton (2013), Olivia Bartley (2014) and Stephanie Kahle (2015).

Coach Dan Shofestall shared his thoughts on the award and his fine student athlete:
“One of the things our softball program takes great pride in is the Peterson Academic Achievement Award that Allen and his family sponsor each year. It rewards excellence in the class room, which requires a lot of dedication and hard work to achieve this prestigious award.

“Johnna exemplifies what this award is all about. Her hard work and performance in the classroom is not only a great honor for herself but also a reflection of the whole team and what we want all of our scholar athletes to strive to be. Johnna’s name will go on a plaque with all of the past winners of this award and will be a stimulus for future players to look at and strive to be great on the field and in the classroom.

“I congratulate Johnna in winning this award and know she will put it to good use as she continues her studies at Youngstown State.”

Coach Shofestall shared his thanks to the Peterson’s, “Also many thanks to Allen and his family for this incredible act of generosity they display to the Clarion Softball team each and every year. Allen has always been there to help us in any way he can and I cannot thank him enough for all that he has done for the program over the years. It is greatly appreciated.”

Coach Peterson had this to say of Johnna’s winning the award: “(Johnna’s) very deserving. She’s a good student and a good athlete. I guess that is what I envisioned when we started this scholarship. She was through some lean times and hung with the program. I have to give her credit; she stayed with it. Very deserving.”

Johnna, the daughter of Ron and Tracy Rapp, said, “I was really happy when I got the award. I worked a lot through high school. I think it translates, working hard in the classroom and working hard on the field. So I thought that was really important.

“Softball has taught me a lot about hard work and determination. There are a lot of skills that I’ll carry throughout my life.”

Johnna shared about her future plans, “I will be going to Youngstown State University. I will get my Bachelor degree in dental hygene and see what happens from there.”

Looking back at her time in the program, Johnna said, “I will definitely miss Coach Dan. Had a lot of good years. I remember, I went to open gyms even before I could play on the high school team. It’s been a lot. It is definitely something I will miss. It is one of my favorite memories.”

Congratulations to Johnna, on receiving this prestigious award and thanks to Coach Shofestall and Coach Peterson for your dedication to the youth of this community!!!!