Graduating seniors across Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio were honored Tuesday, June 14 at the 2023 Parkview Sports Medicine Albright Gemlick Scholarships. Eight winners were selected for their academic excellence, athletic achievement and community engagement. Winners each receive a $8,000 scholarship made possible by Parkview Foundation.
The Albright Gemlick Scholarships have been awarded since the 2003-04 school year, and bear the names of two late SportONE physicians: Dr. James E. Albright, who passed away in 1993; and Dr. Brett F. Gemlick, who passed away in October 2019. Student-athletes were nominated by Parkview Sports Medicine athletic trainers assigned to their schools or by PSM Performance specialists who train them.
Eligible student-athletes must participate in one sport their senior year and hold a grade point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale (or 9.0 on a 12.0 scale). In all, 77 nominees in the Class of 2023 represent 33 different area high schools, nine area club sports organizations and the PSM Performance EDGE training program.
2023 Albright Gemlick Scholarship Winner: Emilia Diaz of New Tech Academy at Wayne High School (Group 1)
Emilia Diaz was a three-sport athlete for Wayne High School, earning varsity letters all four years in soccer, basketball and track & field. She was also All-Summit Athletic Conference in basketball and soccer. Emilia graduated New Tech Academy with a 3.8 grade point average. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Latinos Count and the Beyond The Game Leadership Academy. She volunteers at Messiah Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne. Emilia will attend Rose Hulman Institute of Technology, study mechanical or electrical engineering and play women’s basketball.
2023 Albright Gemlick Scholarship Winner: Isaac Hallman of Homestead High School & Fort Wayne Sport Club (Group 2)
Isaac Hallman graduated from Homestead High School with a 4.415 GPA. He played goalie for the Spartan soccer team all four years, and was named captain his last two seasons. In 48 career prep games, he tallied 290 saves and 1.3 goals against average. Homestead won three sectional titles. He also represented Homestead at the IHSAA District Athlete Meeting. He played for Fort Wayne Sport Club as well. Outside of sports, he was member of the National Honor Society and DECA. He and his twin brother, Levi (also an Albright Gemlick Scholarship nominee) developed a business plan for a non-profit that brings youth sports to impoverished nations. Isaac will attend Purdue University and study computer science.
2023 Albright Gemlick Scholarship Winner: Leah May of Leo High School (Group 3)
Leah May is an accomplished softball and volleyball from Leo High School. She played infielder for the Lions, earning All-Northeast 8 Conference and All-Region honors and three varsity letters. Leo softball won two NE8 titles, a sectional title and a regional title. She also helps as a coach for the Leo Lion Softball Camp. In basketball, Leah started all four years and earned All-Conference honors, was selected to the North vs. South All-Star game, and volunteered as a referee for Leo youth basketball programs. She also volunteers at her church, where she is also am member of the youth group. Leah earned a 4.008 GPA at Leo, and was a member of National Honor Society. She was also named at Student Rotarian of the Month by Leo administration. Leah will attend Indiana Wesleyan University and study education. She will also play college softball there.
2023 Albright Gemlick Scholarship Winner: Kolton Wilson of Wabash High School (Group 4)
Kolton Wilson played soccer and basketball at Wabash. In soccer, he was a four-year letterman and two-year captain. An All-Three Rivers Conference player, Kolton finished his Apache career with 10 goals and 10 assists. He helped Wabash to their first sectional championship in 2020; and was awarded the Excellence Award by the United Soccer Coaches Association. In basketball, Kolton earned two letters and was named captain by his teammates. He was named TRC & Wabash County Defensive Player of the Year, Wabash All-County Tournament team, Wabash County Tournament Bille Rogge Sportsmanship Award Winner. Outside of sports, Kolton served as senior class treasurer, and is active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Campus Life, National Honor Society (3.5 GPA), Wabash Friends Youth Group and 4H. Kolton is heading to Grace College to study business and play basketball for the Lancers. He plans to eventually run the family farm.
2023 Albright Gemlick Scholarship Winner: Nate Shaw of West Noble High School (Group 5)
Benjamin (Nate) Shaw played tennis and basketball and ran at West Noble. He earned four letters in tennis and earned All-Northeast Corner Conference, All-Area and All-Conference, team MVP, team sportsmanship award. He helped the Chargers to a NECC championship, as well. He also lettered twice in track (200-meter dash, 300-meter dash, 4x400-meter relay) once in cross country. He played basketball his sophomore year. Outside of sports, he is a member of Interact Club, Business Professionals of America, National Honor Society (3.72 GPA), Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Nate helps the community through food drives for the West Noble Food Pantry, hosting dessert buffets for first responders, organizing an eyeglass drive and raising funds for families of West Noble students who have passed away. He is also a member of his church youth group and is heading on his third mission trip this summer. Nate will attend Bethel University and plans to study kinesiology or physical education.
2023 Albright Gemlick Scholarship Winner: Ella Miller of Bryan High School (Group 6)
Ella Miller was a three-sport athlete during her time at Bryan. She played soccer for two seasons, rising to 2nd Team All-Northwest Ohio Athletic League honors. In basketball, she earned the team hustle award for a team that made the Division II state semi-finals. She also ran track. Outside of athletics, Ella was president of the student council and president of the Interact Club. With a 4.0 GPA, she was also inducted into the National Honor Society. She also works as a referee in the Bryan Soccer Association and a junior counselor for the Black Art Swamps Creative Art Camp. Ella will attend Michigan State University with an intended major of biomedical laboratory science on a pre-dental track.
2023 Albright Gemlick Scholarship Winner: Grace Kreischer of Eastside High School (Group 7)
Grace Kreischer is an accomplished student-athlete who graduated with a 3.9 GPA from Eastside. Grace played softball and basketball for the Blazers. In softball, she was named Most Improved Player for a team that won the 2022 2A state championship. The Blazers also repeated their sweep of the NECC regular season and tournament titles. She earned All-Conference Honorable Mention and KPC All-Area. In basketball, Grace earned three varsity letters while leading her team to a sectional championship. She earned All-NECC and All-Area honors; she also helps coach the Mini Lady Blazers youth program. Grace is also part of the Interact Club and National Honor Society and DeKalb County Future Leaders. Grace is heading to Purdue University to study pre-veterinary medicine. Her love for animals is evident in her participation in 4H (Master Achiever in 2021, Supreme Showman in 2022), Future Farmers of America, the DeKalb County Junior Sheep Committee, Future Farmers of America and volunteer work with the DeKalb County Humane Society.
2023 Albright Gemlick Excellence Scholarship Winner: Conner Keeslar of Prairie Heights High School (Carter Fleck Memorial Scholarship – Group 8)
Each year, Parkview Sports Medicine awards the Carter Fleck Memorial Scholarship as part of the Albright Gemlick Excellence Scholarships. The award is named for Carter Fleck, a 17-year-old Homestead High School who died of cancer in 2016; and goes to a student-athlete who demonstrates exceptional character. The 8th annual Carter Fleck Memorial Scholarship goes to Conner Keeslar of Prairie Heights High School.
Conner was a busy student-athlete at Prairie Heights. He played soccer for four years, threw shotput and discus on the track & field team for three years, and was a wrestling manager for three years. With a 4.12 GPA, Conner earned Academic All-State in track & field. Conner is also a member of the National Honor Society, FFA, PROWL student mentoring program, and the Prairie Heights QUEST Academic Tournament team. He also participates in both the LaGrange County 4-H and Burr Oak (Michigan) 4-H; and does community service projects with his youth group at Locust Grove Mennonite Church. Conner will attend Purdue University and study Ag Education.
2023 Albright Gemlick Scholarship Nominee Videos