Cleveland Touchdown Club Charities Announces 2016 Memorial Scholarship Recipients


CLEVELAND – Stefani LoPresti, Caitlin Rodriguez, Daniel Ruple and Emily Wilson have been named recipients of the 2016 Cleveland Touchdown Club Charities (CTCC) Memorial Scholarship, the organization announced on Thursday at its annual Gene Hickerson Memorial Golf Outing.

The CTCC Memorial Scholarships are awarded annually to four graduating high school seniors who excel in the classroom, in the community and possess a strong ambition to succeed in college. Each individual will receive a $1,000 scholarship to use at an accredited college or university of their choice during the 2016-17 academic year.

Morrie Kono: Stefani LoPresti, a 2016 graduate of Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst, finished in the top-10 of her senior class with a 3.8 GPA. She served as a student athletic trainer for four years and was a member of the National Honor Society. In the community, she served a number of organizations, including serving food once a week at the Lorain Catholic Charities in summer, volunteered with HealthSpan to help aid in the administration of flu shots, tutoring elementary students in math, among others. She will study Medical Sciences at the University of Cincinnati.

Dick Zunt: Caitlin Rodriguez graduated this spring from North Olmsted High School with a 4.15 GPA. She was a member of the National Honor Society, a student athletic trainer, a state qualifier in the 4x100 relay and was a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. Outside of school, she worked at the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center, volunteered at Center West Animal Hospital, is CPR certified and has worked at a summer day camp as a lifeguard. She will attend Cornell University in the fall while studying Animal Science/Biology.

Billy Reynolds: Daniel Ruple, a graduate of Berea-Midpark High School with a 4.35 GPA, competed in indoor and outdoor track, as well as soccer. He was a member of the BMHS marching band and symphonic orchestra, as well as being a member of the National Honor Society. He has volunteered at the Everyone Wins Basketball Camp, teach basketball fundamentals to kids with special needs. He will attend Baldwin Wallace University in the fall, studying Finance/Business/Accounting.

John Peyton: Emily Wilson graduated first in her class at Newbury High School, posting a 4.0 GPA. She served as a statistician for the wrestling team while participating in pep and marching bands, and served as team captain of the NHS soccer team. She has volunteered as an arts and crafts counselor for a local Cub Scout day camp and independently learned German at a young age. She will attend The Ohio State University this fall to study Environmental Engineering.

This year’s scholarships are presented in honor of four gentlemen who have a rich history in Northeast Ohio football – Morrie Kono, John Peyton, Billy Reynolds and Dick Zunt. More information on all four individuals can be found on the Cleveland Touchdown Club Charities website.