2026 Carl E. Stotz Little League Baseball Scholarship: 14 Winners
Little League International just announced the 2026 Carl E. Stotz Little League Baseball Scholarship winners. Fourteen high school seniors from Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, each receive $750 to support their college education. These students represent nine local high schools and head to universities across the country this fall.
The scholarship honors Carl E. Stotz, the man who founded Little League Baseball in Williamsport in 1939. Since the program launched in 1994, Little League has supported more than 300 local students with over $280,000 in financial assistance.
| Award Amount | $750 per student |
| Total Winners | 14 students |
| Program Since | 1994 |
| Eligibility | Lycoming County, top 25% of class |
| Total Distributed | $280,000+ since 1994 |
| Application Window | December through March |
2026 Scholarship Winners – Full List
Here are all 14 recipients of the 2026 Carl E. Stotz Little League Baseball Scholarship, along with their schools and college destinations.
| Student | High School | College |
|---|---|---|
| Ava Gorg | Hughesville High School | Cornell University |
| Tyce Shaner | Hughesville High School | Youngstown State University |
| Alison Ann Bilbay-Miller | Jersey Shore Area High School | Lycoming College |
| Ryder Fink | Jersey Shore Area High School | Bloomsburg University |
| Adam Ghayyada | Loyalsock Township Senior High School | Princeton University |
| Hazel Zajack | Loyalsock Township Senior High School | Colgate University |
| Parker Bennett | Montgomery Area Jr/Sr High School | Alvernia University |
| Zoe Furman | Montgomery Area Jr/Sr High School | PennWest Edinboro |
| Adam Shearer | Montoursville Area High School | Misericordia University |
| Alice Ravert | Montoursville Area High School | Not listed |
| Clynt Oden | Muncy Jr/Sr High School | Temple University |
| Calissa Reed | Williamsport Area High School | Penn State Schreyers Honors College |
| Giovanni White | Williamsport Area High School | Dickinson College |
| Ella Moore | South Williamsport Area Jr/Sr High School | Bloomsburg University |
Scholarship Winners by High School
| School | Winners |
|---|---|
| Hughesville | 2 |
| Jersey Shore | 2 |
| Loyalsock Township | 2 |
| Montgomery | 2 |
| Montoursville | 2 |
| Williamsport | 2 |
| Muncy | 1 |
| South Williamsport | 1 |
2026 Winners – Profiles and Life Lessons
Each winner wrote an essay on why Little League matters. Here is what their accomplishments and words say about their character.
Ava Gorg
Class Treasurer, National Honor Society member, and varsity volleyball captain. Ava believes Little League teaches children to grow as people, not just athletes – building teamwork and confidence that last beyond the field.
Tyce Shaner
Class President and cross country state champion. Tyce sees Little League as a space where kids learn how individual strengths come together for a greater team goal – especially important in today’s screen-heavy world.
Alison Ann Bilbay-Miller
Penn College Youth Leadership Program participant and National Honor Society inductee. Alison credits Little League with teaching her that success is earned through hard work, respect, and sportsmanship.
Ryder Fink
Varsity tennis player and 10-year 4-H member. Ryder values how Little League teaches young athletes to handle failure in a supportive environment – a foundation for social and emotional growth.
Adam Ghayyada
FBLA Region 7 President, Mock Trial founder, and Lycoming County Law Day Grand Prize winner. Adam sees Little League as proof that shared goals create understanding across a divided society.
Hazel Zajack
Cross country and track captain, Fitness Club President, and aspiring sports psychologist. Hazel wants to take Little League’s lessons about determination and resilience into the mental health side of sports.
Parker Bennett
Mid Penn Baseball MVP and Montgomery High’s all-time leading basketball scorer. Parker learned through Little League that success comes from improvement, not just talent — and that every game builds character.
Zoe Furman
Wrestler, softball player, soccer player, and youth wrestling coach. Zoe sees softball as the foundation of her life – and Little League as a program that has left its mark on millions across 80 countries.
Adam Shearer
Varsity football, soccer, basketball, and track athlete. Adam values how Little League creates a safe space where children can fail, be encouraged, and try again – building belonging and team spirit from the start.
Alice Ravert
Musical Theatre Club President and National Honor Society member. Alice credits Little League with giving her non-parental role models who helped her develop life skills she would not have learned on her own.
Clynt Oden
Tennis captain and theater performer. Clynt says Little League gave him discipline and pride from a young age — and that the lifelong friendships and skills it builds go well beyond the baseball diamond.
Calissa Reed
FBLA President and Make-A-Wish volunteer. Calissa sees Little League as a builder of community – something consistent that gives children a shared love of the game and a foundation for connection.
Giovanni White
Varsity football MVP and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention volunteer. Giovanni started Little League at age five and sees it as where he first understood the complex life lessons that sports can teach.
Ella Moore
Class Vice President, National Honor Society member, and All-State soccer captain. Ella believes Little League builds the foundation for young athletes – where they learn sportsmanship and what it means to be part of something bigger.
Who Was Carl E. Stotz?
Born in
1910
Williamsport
Sponsorship
56
Rejections
Little League
1939
Founded
–
1992
Passed Away
Carl Edwin Stotz was born on February 20, 1910, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He worked as a lumberyard clerk. In the summer of 1938, he was playing catch with his two nephews in their backyard when an idea hit him.
He wanted to create a baseball league built for children – with smaller fields, simpler rules, and real team uniforms. Nobody had done it before. He knocked on door after door looking for sponsors. He received 56 rejections before anyone said yes.
The first game: On June 6, 1939, Lundy Lumber beat Lycoming Dairy 23-8. Little League Baseball was born. The field had no grass beyond the infield. Parents stood along the foul lines. There were no bleachers.
Stotz served as Little League commissioner for 18 years. He left the organization in 1955 over disagreements about commercialization. But he never left Williamsport. He spent the rest of his life in the same town where it all started.
Carl E. Stotz died on June 4, 1992, at age 82. The following year, the Little League International Board of Directors established the scholarship in his memory. Today, his name lives on through the Carl E. Stotz Memorial Little League Bridge, a statue at Volunteer Stadium, and an original field now listed as a National Historic Site.
What is Carl E. Stotz Little League Baseball Scholarship
The Little League International Board of Directors established this scholarship in 1994. After one year, Carl Stotz passed away. The goal was to honor his commitment to youth development in Lycoming County, the region where Little League was born.
Each year, Little League awards scholarships to male and female graduates from all nine Lycoming County high schools. Winners receive $750 each toward higher education. Since 1994, the program has supported more than 300 students with over $280,000 in total funding.
2026 milestone: The 2026 class brings the total number of scholarship recipients to over 314 students since the program launched. That is 32 years of supporting Lycoming County’s top young leaders.
Eligibility Requirements
The scholarship targets high school seniors from the same community where Carl Stotz built the first Little League field. Here is who qualifies.
Applications go through an internal review panel at Little League International. Reviewers look beyond grades. They look for students whose spirit shows effort, determination, and a commitment to their community and future goals. Students interested in Little League Baseball 2026 eligibility can also use our Little League Age Calculator.
How to Apply for the Carl E. Stotz Scholarship
The Carl E. Stotz Scholarship application process takes place each year between December and March. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements and submit all required materials before the deadline.
1- Confirm your eligibility
You must attend one of nine Lycoming County high schools and rank in the top 25% of your class. Check your school’s rank with your guidance counselor.
2- Prepare your essay
Write an essay explaining why Little League Baseball and Softball matter in communities worldwide. Past winners connected the topic to personal growth, teamwork, and life skills.
3- Collect two recommendation letters
Ask a teacher, coach, or community leader who knows your character and contributions well.
4- Submit your application
Applications are submitted through Little League International. Visit LittleLeague.org each December for the official application form and submission instructions.
Why This Scholarship Matters
Little League Baseball operates in more than 80 countries. Over 2.6 million players participate every year. But the organization’s roots stay in Lycoming County, the place where Carl Stotz first got a yes after 56 nos. Over the years, teams from different regions have produced many Little League World Series champions.
The program celebrates more than academic achievement. It recognizes students who demonstrate leadership, character, community involvement, and the same spirit of perseverance that has defined Little League since its founding.
The 2026 class heads to schools like Princeton, Penn State, Cornell, Colgate, and Temple. They carry those values with them. That is exactly what Carl Stotz had in mind when he started a league for three neighborhood kids in 1939.
Want to learn more about Carl Stotz and the full story of Little League? Read our complete history of Little League Baseball.
Conclusion
The 2026 Carl E. Stotz Little League Baseball Scholarship class comprises 14 students who excelled in school, sports, and their communities. Little League International continues to honor its founder by investing in the next generation of leaders from the same Pennsylvania county where it all began. The scholarship accepts applications each December for graduating Lycoming County seniors.
