Bandits award Lucier Scholarship to Abigail Drexler
"I am incredibly impressed by the talents and achievements of all of our finalists, each of whom is more than deserving of this scholarship," Heller said. "But Abigail is really a truly exceptional person, and we all know she will go on to do incredible and amazing things in college and throughout her life. On behalf of the River Bandits and all of our fans here in the Quad Cities, I am so proud to present her this scholarship."
The Keith Lucier Memorial Scholarship is part of the Bandits Scholars Program founded by River Bandits owners Dave Heller and Bob Herrfeldt in 2009. The scholarship pays for the entire first year of tuition at the University of Iowa for the annual recipient and is named in honor of the late Keith Lucier. Lucier was a graduate of Bettendorf High School and the University of Iowa. He was River Bandits Assistant General Manager in 2008 and a former employee of the Quad-City Times. Lucier passed away in 2009, and the scholarship has been awarded annually to one Quad Cities area high school senior since its inception.
"I am thrilled and honored to receive this scholarship," Drexler said. "This will be a great opportunity to not only further my education, but impact others as well."
Drexler hopes to pursue a career in the medical field, and she says working at Trinity Hospitals last fall helped her recognize her passion for working with others to improve their health. Drexler took on a state-wide project to unite student councils and promote community service activities in Iowa high schools. She says that experience helped her realize her leadership capacity. She says her goal has been to be part of a mission trip to a third-world country to provide medical care.
Drexler was involved in numerous activities throughout high school, including student council, the Iowa Association of Student Councils, Raising Student Voice and Participation (R.S.V.P.), Golduster's Dance and Pom Team, National Honor Society, and track and field. She has also been involved with St. John Vianney Catholic Church religious education, the Quad City Hunger Drive, Special Olympics, Athletic Ambassadors, Freshman First Day, "I Live Here QC" Park Clean-up, Studio A Dance Company Competitive Dance, and the Up With Families Retreat. She has been employed by Studio A Dance Company and Dickey's BBQ Pit. She had internships with Dr. Stephanie Barquist DDS General Dentistry and Genesis Medical Center. She started her own dance camp, Miss Abby's Dance Camp.
The River Bandits also recognized five other finalists Saturday night: Zach Behrendt of Davenport Central, Brock Cavett of Davenport North, Kaylee Huber of Bettendorf High School, and Zach Miller and Joseph Peterson of Pleasant Valley High School.
On Friday, Heller announced the expansion of the Bandits Scholars Program to include a second scholarship open to Quad Cities area high school seniors beginning in 2013. The new scholarship will be awarded annually to one Quad Cities area high school senior entering either Black Hawk College in Moline, Ill., or Western Illinois University in Moline, Ill. The scholarship will pay the entire first year of tuition for one Quad Cities area resident and include a summer internship with the River Bandits following the winner's first year of college. Both scholarships are funded by fan donations and fund-raising efforts by the River Bandits and the team's ownership. Fans can donate to the scholarship fund at www.riverbandits.com. One hundred percent of every donation goes to fund the scholarships.
UP NEXT: The River Bandits will host a Mega Bicycle Giveaway Sunday, June 3, and the first 2,000 fans will receive a 2012 River Bandits team photo courtesy of Heartland. It's Bark in the Park and another U.S. Bank Family Sunday presented by KWQC and B100, so kids can get autographs before the 5 p.m. game. Following the game Kids Run the Bases presented by Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services and West Bend Mutual Insurance Company. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at (563) 3-BANDIT and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.
ABOUT THE BANDITS: After four years of ballpark improvements, the River Bandits and the City of Davenport last summer unveiled some of the most impressive enhancements to Modern Woodmen Park yet. A brand new, state of the art, high definition 20' x 35' video board went live on June 7, and the newly enclosed glass Sky Deck on the suite level of Modern Woodmen Park was completed last August. Those improvements, in addition to new flood protection, a new front plaza, and a new parking lot directly across the street from the ballpark, are quickly making Modern Woodmen Park one of the premier facilities in all of Minor League Baseball. More improvements are scheduled for this coming season!