2025 Academic Athlete Scholarship Recipients

Announcing Our 2025 Academic Athlete Scholarship Recipients!

Please join us in celebrating this year’s selected student-athletes:

Jalen Blackwell

Madyson Hickman

Nicholas Villani

Each of these recipients has demonstrated a powerful combination of academic excellence, athletic dedication, and outstanding character — truly embodying what it means to be an Academic Athlete.

To everyone who applied — thank you. Your passion, drive, and personal stories truly moved us. The decisions were not easy, and we want you to know that your efforts were seen, valued, and deeply appreciated. Stay connected — more opportunities are on the way.

Huge thanks to our board, review committee, and all of our supporters who help make programs like this possible.



We’re proud to recognize Nicholas Villani of Dallastown Area School District as one of our 2025 Academic Athlete Scholarship recipients!

Nicholas stands out as a true scholar-athlete-musician and servant leader. He maintains a rigorous AP and honors course load while participating in football and tennis, serving as Treasurer and Fundraising Leader of the Unified Bocce Team, and excelling as a standout performer in Dallastown’s Orchestra and String Ensemble, earning district and state level recognition.

He is an active member of Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, and a committed leader in FBLA, STEM Club, Chinese Culture Club, Math Club, Fishing Club, and more. Teachers and coaches alike praise Nicholas for his inquisitiveness, humility, and drive—always engaging beyond expectations and leading with integrity.


We are also proud to recognize Madyson Hickman, a Physics major at Ursinus College, as one of our 2025 Academic Athlete Scholarship recipients!

Madyson is the definition of resilience and purpose. She played a key leadership role in initiating the Women’s Wrestling Program at South Western High School, helping to build opportunities for young women in a male-dominated sport. Now a collegiate athlete competing in both wrestling and softball, she continues to lead with strength, humility, and drive.

In the classroom, Madyson excels while actively pursuing a career in biomedical engineering. This summer, she is contributing to cutting-edge research on gamma ray detectors as part of a faculty-led research group—putting her knowledge into action and expanding her experience in applied physics and engineering.

Beyond academics and athletics, Madyson gives back through volunteer coaching in wrestling and softball, mentoring the next generation of student-athletes and serving as a positive role model in her community.


Finally, we are proud to recognize Jalen Blackwell of Gerstell Academy as one of our 2025 Academic Athlete Scholarship recipients!

Jalen is a dynamic student-athlete and emerging STEM leader whose achievements span the classroom, athletic courts, leadership councils, and community service. He currently serves as Freshman Class President, a Delegate in the Maryland Youth and Government House of Representatives, and a Senior Patrol Leader with the Boy Scouts of America. He also competes on his school’s basketball team and is actively engaged in STEM competitions and enrichment programs.

Jalen has earned multiple accolades for his work in robotics, public speaking, and leadership, with recognition across academic and extracurricular competitions. Outside of school, he dedicates time to volunteerism—mentoring younger students in STEM programs, supporting food drives, and giving back through local service initiatives.

Teachers and mentors describe him as humble, driven, and intellectually curious—a student who not only asks the right questions but inspires others to think bigger. He is known for his focus, follow-through, and the rare ability to lead with both confidence and compassion.

Join us in celebrating our recipients’ outstanding achievements and bright futures as changemakers in STEM, service, and beyond!

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