Jayda Buckley, center, a 2018 graduate of Saranac Lake High School, accepts a $500 scholarship from the Saranac Lake Women’s Softball League. (Photo provided)

To the editor:

On Aug. 18, the sixth annual Saranac Lake Women’s Softball League Scholarship Tournament took place at the Black Fly Fields with more than 150 participants, volunteers and spectators. The annual event raises money for a local, graduating student-athlete who is pursuing athletics at the collegiate level. This year’s SLWSL Scholarship recipient is Jayda Buckley. Ms. Buckley played soccer, softball and basketball all four years of her Saranac Lake High School career. She also was an active member in the National Honor Society, chorus and women’s ensemble. Jayda will be a member of the SUNY Canton basketball team this fall. Congratulations, Jayda!

Without the support of our local community, this tournament wouldn’t be a continued success. There are a few people that deserve special recognition from our league.

First, we would like to thank Jeff and Cathy Romano for donating their time as our food vendor. This also includes Nancy Hurteau for donating her time as well to make sure the crowd was fed. Jeff and Cathy also made a personal, monetary contribution to the scholarship fund, as well as donating food back to our volunteers, which we thank you immensely for.

Of course, a great tournament turnout needs great captains and players! Thank you to Jaime Gunther, Veronica Daunais, Erin O’Dell-Woodruff, Brandon Phelps, Jessica Young-Willette, Chelsea LaFountain, Brad Rivers and Kevin Kelly for entering your teams and raising money toward the scholarship fund!

A big, heartfelt thank you to Tommy Strack, Mickey Lamora, Art Durfee, Nate Durfee and Thomas “T-Lo” Loreman for their tireless time as umpires behind the plate, and Nolan “Bubba” Durfee for being our enthusiast, “go-getter” helper.

Thank you to Chip Wheeler for donating his personal golf cart. Your gesture was as big as the wheels on your cart and made our day much more efficient.

Year after year, we can always count on the men’s Black-Fly Softball League for their support. A tremendous “thanks” to Travis Rabideau, president of the league, for allowing us to host our tournament on their fields. This especially includes Codey LaPage, who not only entered a team and played, but diligently prepped the fields the day before, helped set up the day of, clean up the day after, and even helped to umpire when we were short.

We are grateful to live in a community full of selfless people. Without the players, volunteers, donors and sponsors alike, the SLWSL Scholarship Tournament would not be possible. We look forward to seeing you all on the field in 2019!

Nicole Ottavinia

Tournament director, SLWSL vice president

Kelly Gonyo

Saranac Lake Women’s Softball League president

Saranac Lake