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Perry Selected For Frank Hyde Memorial Scholarship

Wyatt Perry

Frank Hyde was The Post-Journal’s sports editor from 1945-79, an era that ultimately landed him a rightful place in the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame. His enshrinement in 1983 was in no small measure the result of how he valued and covered the student-athletes within the newspaper’s circulation area.

That’s why he would be particularly proud of Wyatt Perry.

Perry, who graduated Friday night from Southwestern Central School, is the recipient of the 33rd annual Frank Hyde Memorial Scholarship.

“Wyatt is one of those special individuals who has the qualities, skills, commitment and character to do almost anything that he desires,” wrote Southwestern high school principal Michael Cipolla in a letter of recommendation accompanying Perry’s scholarship application. “I believe that Wyatt’s success at Southwestern is a convincing sign that he is strong enough in character and academically to represent the Frank Hyde Memorial Scholarship with utmost distinction.

The Hyde Scholarship Committee agreed.

A three-sport athlete, Perry was selected a first-team all-state football linebacker last fall after helping the Trojans reach the Section VI Class C championship game at New Era Field.

“All sports, especially the three high school sports I have competed in, have played a major role in my development as a person, and in helping me figure out who I am through my high school years at Southwestern,” he wrote in his essay accompanying the scholarship application. “I have always had a love and passion for football, basketball and baseball. I have always believed that my love for them is primarily because they are team sports. Throughout the many seasons I have played and through the many teammates I have played with, I have certainly learned how important teamwork is in any situation.”

That teamwork has manifested itself in another area outside the football field, the baseball diamond and the basketball court, and that is found in his desire to assist people within his own community as an elected member in the Lakewood Volunteer Fire Department.

“What makes this unique is Wyatt is the first in his family (to be a member),” wrote Chautauqua County legislator and Lakewood VFD member PJ Wendel in his letter of recommendation. “He saw how our actions impacted his life and the life of his family, and realized this is something he wanted to do — to impact the lives of families (and) to be part of a brotherhood of men and women who give without ever asking for anything.”

Wendel continued: “I am proud to call him a ‘brother’ in the fire service. There are few people I would trust my life to in a burning building, but Wyatt is one of those people.”

In addition to his work with the Lakewood Volunteer Fire Department, Perry has served as the National Honor Society vice president, a class officer for four years, and a baseball coach in the Babe Ruth (13-15) League. He also has volunteered as a Sunday school assistant at First Lutheran Church, at the Gateway Center and at the Salvation Army.

Ranked 11th in a class of 110 with an average of 96 percent, Perry will begin his collegiate career at the University at Buffalo where he plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.

“Sports have certainly developed me into a different person; sports have made me tough, relentless, caring and very hard working,” he wrote. “I am positive that these traits will help me throughout my life.”

Past winners of the Hyde Scholarship are: 1985, Steve Penhollow, Cassadaga Valley; 1986, Rich Crane, Sherman; 1987, Nancy Dornsife, Randolph; 1988, Mary Mansfield, Pine Valley; 1989, Jackson Rohm, Southwestern; 1990, Pam Crowell, Pine Valley; 1991, Cory Emory, Sherman; 1992, Ken Davenport, Falconer; 1993, Jennifer Tate, Falconer; 1994, Justin Johnson, Jamestown; 1995, Andy McMaster, Jamestown; 1996, Patrick Swanson, Sherman; 1997, Adam Beckerink, Frewsburg; 1998, Matthew Baideme, Westfield; 1999, Leigh Baumgart, Falconer; 2000, Craig Swanson, Jamestown; 2001, Trevor Cable, Frewsburg; 2002, Kathy Baum, Ripley; 2003, Ashley Kulju, Maple Grove; 2004, Rob Prinzi, Jamestown; 2005, Matt Mazgaj, Southwestern; 2006, Natalie Thorpe, Southwestern; 2007, Michael McGinnis, Falconer; 2008, Nicole Frederickson, Jamestown; 2009, Jennifer Andrews, Randolph; 2010, Mallory Deuink, Clymer; 2011, Joey Campion, Jamestown; 2012, Shannon Murphy, Falconer; 2013, Zachary Eklum, Jamestown; 2014, Jordan Powers, Southwestern; and 2015, Zack Panebianco, Jamestown; and 2016 Matthew Marsh, Jamestown.

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