TAMPA (FWAA) – Dolen Helwagen of Pataskala, Ohio, was named the 20th winner of the Volney Meece Scholarship on Monday.

The scholarship is awarded annually by the Football Writers Association of America and named for the late Volney Meece. Meece served 22 years as the FWAA's executive director and was the organization's president in 1971.

The scholarship is a $1,000 annual grant for four years. It is awarded to a deserving son or daughter of an FWAA member.

The 17-year-old Helwagen is the daughter of long-time FWAA member Steve Helwagen.

Dolen has compiled an impressive list of academic and extracurricular achievements in her four years at Watkins Memorial High School. She maintained a 4.182 weighted GPA while taking a strenuous load of advanced placement and honors classes. She also scored 30-plus on the ACT.

A member of the National Honor Society and on the student council four years, Dolen was a two-time co-captain of the varsity tennis team. She's in the Watkins Memorial concert choir, was a Buckeye Girls State delegate and a Rotary International ambassador.

Kathleen Berry, a member of the Watkins Memorial faculty, wrote in her letter of recommendation: "Dolen's impressive GPA and ACT score speaks volumes about her inherent intelligence and work ethic. Her contagious enthusiasm and commitment to excellence both in the classroom and on the tennis court make her one of the most emulated leaders in our school."

Previous Meece scholarship winners include: Brett Goering, Topeka, Kan.; Kelly Brooks, Denver, Colo.; Elk Grove Village, Ill.; Sara Barnhart, Atlanta, Ga., Patrick Davis, Coventry, Conn.; Jacqueline O’Toole, Gaithersburg, Md.; Garrett Holtz, Denver, Colo.:, Katie Hersom, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Katie Wieberg, Lawson, Mo.; Kaylynn Monroe, Winter Park, Fla.; Nate Kerkhoff, Overland Park, Kan.; Jack Caywood, Lawrence, Kan.; Donald Hunt, Philadelphia, Pa.,; Alaina Martens, La Vista, Neb.; Emily Alford, Tupelo, Miss.; Sarah Helsley, Edmond, Okla.; Abrahamson, Palos Verdes, Calif.; and Danielle Hoover, Tulsa, Okla.

The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 1,400 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include gameday operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com or 214-870-6516.

Related link:
• Volney Meece Scholarship